Part 2/10:
Flight 870 embarked with 82 passengers and 6 crew members aboard an Airbus A319. The captain, an experienced 53-year-old with nearly 12,000 flying hours, commanded the aircraft alongside a 29-year-old first officer, who brought 2,000 hours of experience primarily on the A320. As they navigated the busy skies of London, they were initially unaware of the catastrophic chain of events that awaited them.
After a standard takeoff, everything appeared normal. The engines roared to life, and passengers enjoyed views of London’s skyline as the flight climbed to cruising altitude. However, just eight minutes into their ascent, disaster struck.