Part 3/11:
The captain, a 58-year-old veteran with over 17,250 hours of flying experience, had a somewhat controversial history, having passed psychological evaluations despite initial red flags. The first officer, significantly less experienced at 2,300 hours, faced negative feedback in early training but had improved since. Their contrasting backgrounds led to an unequal power dynamic in the cockpit, foreshadowing the confusion and complacency that were to follow.
The Flight Begins: Normalcy Before the Storm