Part 3/8:
Approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, the crew received their first alarming sign: a warning for a malfunctioning radio altimeter, one of three installed on the aircraft. While the aircraft continued its flight without immediate incident, the pilots became increasingly concerned as more systems began to fail during the journey over the Atlantic.
As the aircraft approached New York, failures continued to cascade. The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) stopped functioning, followed by a complete malfunction of the Instrument Landing System (ILS)—a critical component for landing in low visibility conditions. The crew was now faced with multiple system failures and limited options, especially as they encountered poor weather conditions upon their arrival.