Part 2/8:
As the Icelandair Boeing 757, carrying 75 passengers and seven crew members, took off from Reykjavik, the weather was largely unremarkable, and the aircraft was well-maintained. The captain, an experienced pilot with over 8,000 flight hours, was joined by a less experienced first officer with approximately 2,500 hours. All seemed normal as they climbed away from the cold reaches of Iceland en route to Oslo.
However, unbeknownst to the crew, their pleasant tailwind—a common wind direction in aviation—would soon turn into a liability. While the tailwind initially appeared to benefit them by reducing flying time, it would complicate their descent and approach into Oslo, particularly as they navigated through foggy weather conditions and scattered clouds.