Part 5/10:
However, as the waiting continued, the effectiveness of the de-icing fluid wore off. When a tug was unable to move the plane back due to traction issues on the snow-covered ramp, Wheaton made a fateful choice: he instructed the crew to use reverse thrust from the engines to push the aircraft back. This reckless maneuver had the unintended effect of directing slush and melted snow onto the wings, where it would later freeze.
Despite warnings from ground personnel, Wheaton’s judgment towards the situation would prove consequential in the moments to come. The struggles experienced during pushback foreshadowed the many challenges faced during the flight.
The Takeoff Attempt