Part 5/8:
The aircraft's auto-throttle system became a point of confusion. Transitioning from automatic controls to manual flying requires abundant practice and mental agility—skills that appeared dulled due to the reliance on technology. This ignorance hit its peak when Captain Kuk inadvertently entered a climb mode instead of controlling descent, signaling a vital disconnect from the aircraft’s needs.
The Last Moments and Impact
With just three miles to go, the realization of their high approach set in. The descent rate remained too steep, and speed warnings grew urgent. Despite repeated opportunities to initiate a go-round—a standard procedure in aviation safety—the pilots pressed forward until they were too low and too slow.