Part 2/9:
The incident began with the boarding of passengers at Los Angeles International Airport on a rainy night. The aircraft, a 16-year-old Boeing 747-400, was outfitted with modern cockpit technology, replacing mechanical dials with CRT displays for easier operation. Three pilots manned the plane: a captain and two first officers—the latter both trained to ensure two pilots could rest during the flight.
After taking on an extra four tons of fuel as a precaution against anticipated delays upon arrival in London, the flight departed on time, seemingly without incident. However, just over a minute after liftoff, a series of loud thumping sounds filled the cockpit, signaling trouble in engine number two.