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As the flight crew prepared for a routine flight, the conditions seemed perfect. The captain, a 53-year-old veteran with over 18,400 hours of experience, and the first officer, a relatively inexperienced 27-year-old, performed their pre-flight checks with diligence. They had completed extensive training and were set to fly together for the first time. The night was calm; both pilots were mentally fit, and the aircraft—described as majestic—had been meticulously checked and was deemed fit for the journey.
The Flight Begins