Part 2/10:
As passengers boarded the 12-year-old Boeing 737-300, most wished to return home to the chilly United Kingdom after enjoying holidays in the Iberian Peninsula. As the aircraft taxied towards the runway at around 9:30 PM, pilots prepared for departure amidst routine checks. Commanding the flight was the 56-year-old captain, an experienced pilot with over 11,000 flight hours primarily on larger aircraft. This night, however, would be different as it was his first year flying the Boeing 737.