UAAG CH43

“Coriolis illusion, after the lymph in the semicircular canals of the human ear undergoes a long period of acceleration, it reaches equilibrium, causing the human brain to have the illusion of ‘not accelerating’. At this time, once affected by external forces that change the state of the lymph, it may cause the Coriolis illusion.” Zhuo Huan said, “Because they wanted to avoid the cyclone, the two pilots chose to lower the altitude. At this time, they were in a process of accelerating descent. The sudden strong crosswind caused them to suffer a violent impact, their bodies swaying…”

He looked at all the investigators: “Therefore, the Coriolis illusion was produced.”

Old Joseph continued: “The evidence is obvious. First, judging from the flight data chart, the driving process of AA4012 fully meets the conditions for the production of the Coriolis illusion. Second, Co-pilot Tim said in the recording that he felt very dizzy. This is also one of the manifestations of the Coriolis illusion. Besides…” Old Joseph looked at Su Fei, who immediately understood and retrieved the final flight data of the plane, projecting it on the big screen.

Old Joseph: “This plane rushed into the sea at almost maximum acceleration. The most direct manifestation of the Coriolis illusion—pilots will feel that they are turning or accelerating on a completely different axis. To change this state, they will pilot the plane incorrectly, causing the plane to accelerate faster.”

Old Joseph stared quietly at the last section on the screen.

After a long time, he continued: “Kyle Shulman was indeed an extremely excellent pilot. After falling into the Coriolis illusion, it only took him one minute to realize something was wrong with his state. After realizing this problem, he incredibly made the correct choice, trying to save the plane. Unfortunately, there were only a few seconds left.”

“What a pity. If the altitude of this plane at that time was not 9000 feet, not just a short 3000 meters. As long as it was 2000 meters higher, even 1000 meters, he would have had a chance to save this plane, save these 298 people…”

“Including himself.”

The black box had been found. Without a doubt, the truth was laid bare before everyone’s eyes, and the investigation report had to be rewritten.

Zhuo Huan still assigned this task to Old Joseph.

Others helped Old Joseph collect materials.

Outside, the media and the public were loudly clamoring for the truth about AA4012; they were eager to know the answer. Fu Cheng was responsible for helping Old Joseph collect information on marine meteorology. By the time he emailed the materials, it was already 2 AM.

The NTSB investigation headquarters was still brightly lit.

Old Joseph sat in front of the computer, the light of the screen reflecting in his eyes as he typed rapidly and meticulously. Fu Cheng brought in a cup of coffee. Old Joseph looked up and smiled: “I thought it would be Lina. Fu, why do you suddenly have time to come to me. Oh right, I’ve received the marine meteorology materials you collected, very comprehensive, thank you.”

Fu Cheng put the coffee on the table and glanced at the computer screen. “This is tantamount to rewriting from scratch.”

Old Joseph: “Not really, some things from the previous investigation were not wrong.”

Fu Cheng took a sip of coffee and thought: “At an altitude of 9000 feet, suddenly encountering strong crosswinds of up to 60 knots. If this plane were not an Airbus A390, it is very likely that such terrifying crosswinds would have directly caused it to crash into the sea. Having barely survived the initial crisis temporarily, their altitude was only 7000 feet left. And at this time, they had fallen into the Coriolis illusion.”

Pausing, Fu Cheng looked at Old Joseph: “7000 feet, 200 knots airspeed, fallen into Coriolis illusion. Old Joseph, could you save this plane.”

Not defending the two pilots, nor purely curious. Fu Cheng asked this question simply because, as a pilot, he had a deeply ingrained, unusual pursuit of pilots’ flying skills and abilities in his heart.

Old Joseph shook his head. Holding the coffee cup, he leaned back in the swivel chair: “I can’t do it. Even seventeen years ago, in my prime, I couldn’t do it. Fu, my level and Kyle’s are only on par. What he couldn’t do, I know, I inevitably can’t do either.”

Fu Cheng’s voice was calm: “But I just saw that in the cause of the accident, you wrote that the pilots still had a chance to save the plane, they just didn’t make the most correct choice.”

Old Joseph didn’t answer immediately. He looked at Fu Cheng and slowly smiled: “Fu, what do you think we investigate an air crash for.”

Fu Cheng was silent for a moment: “To find the truth and make suggestions, paving the cornerstone for latecomers so as not to repeat the same mistakes.”

“You are right!” Old Joseph said, “So I can answer your question just now again. 7000 feet, 200 knots airspeed, Coriolis illusion—these three almost deadly conditions appeared at the same time. I can’t save this plane, and Kyle can’t save it either. But is it really completely a dead end?”

“No! If the pilot could realize in the last five minutes that he had fallen into the Coriolis illusion and began to overcome it immediately. Then he still had five minutes, a whole five minutes, to save this plane. Five minutes is enough for him to lift the nose of a plane accelerating towards the sea and fly back to the sky! But they didn’t do it.”

Old Joseph put the coffee cup on the table, his voice calm: “Yes, we can’t be too demanding. First, the person piloting this plane at the beginning was Co-pilot Tim. His flying skills were not that exquisite, he simply couldn’t meet the requirements I mentioned. Transferring piloting rights to the captain takes time. And afterwards, demanding the captain not make a mistake for even a second, while imposing almost harsh piloting requirements on him, is really too demanding. Asking him to be perfect to have a sliver of a chance, how is this possible.”

“However, this doesn’t mean we completely forgive the pilots’ responsibility in this accident.”

“Pilot failure is one of the reasons AA4012 crashed into the sea. This is unquestionable.”

“Write down the cause of the accident and make suggestions afterwards, hoping that other pilots around the world can pay more attention to the Coriolis illusion during training. If someone encounters a similar accident in the future and immediately thinks of the tragedy of AA4012, knows what to do, and successfully saves the plane. This is the true meaning of our conducting this accident investigation.”

Under the flickering incandescent lamp, Fu Cheng looked at Old Joseph. After a while, the two smiled at each other.

Old Joseph: “I joined NTSB in ’03, and it has been exactly 18 years. Many air crash investigators transferred from being pilots. I used to be a pilot too. After becoming an air crash investigator, I gradually understood a truth. Fu, do you know what it is?”

Fu Cheng: “What?”

Old Joseph tapped his forehead with his finger: “No one is perfect. No matter how excellent a pilot you are, you have the possibility of making mistakes. A pilot’s task is to improve their flying skills and make their flying ability more outstanding. And what air crash investigators do, besides investigating and improving all non-human factors, is to set up numerous hurdles, present all incredible and unimaginable disaster coincidences, letting those excellent pilots curse us while learning to adapt to these hell-level flight scenarios, and submit an excellent answer sheet.”

“This is the meaning of the existence of air crash investigators.”

Fu Cheng left Old Joseph’s office holding his coffee cup.

Just halfway there, he suddenly saw a man lying on the sofa at the end of the corridor, his face hastily covered with a coat. That was only a two-seater sofa, about 1.5 meters long. A man of fully 1.85 meters lying on it inevitably couldn’t lie flat completely.

Zhuo Huan had one leg bent on the ground, the other cocked in the air. His left hand rested casually and lazily on the edge of the sofa, his pale and thin wrist drooping naturally, outlining the highly protruding knuckles. The coat covered all his expressions; he should be asleep, his chest rising and falling slightly.

This corridor was the only way for Fu Cheng to return to the office. He stood there for a while, then calmly walked over.

Just as he was about to turn the corner and bypass this corridor, his pants were gently pulled.

Fu Cheng turned around and looked down.

“Teacher Zhuo, aren’t you asleep.”

The hand that originally obeyed gravity and hung naturally was now pulling Fu Cheng’s pants, stopping him from leaving.

A moment later, the other hand lifted the coat covering the face, revealing a cold and indifferent face. There was no sleepiness on Zhuo Huan’s face at all. He hooked the corner of his lips meaningfully, a color of displeasure showing on his slender eyebrows and eyes.

Zhuo Huan: “How is your math.”

Fu Cheng: “…”

“Not bad.”

“Oh, then calculate an account.”

The sentence a certain man coldly threw in his ear at Boston Logan Airport a week ago instantly surfaced in his mind. Fu Cheng’s voice was gentle: “Teacher Zhuo, I’m not an accounting major, not very good at calculating accounts.”

Zhuo Huan laughed: “Is that so. But you look like you are very good at playing rascals.”

Fu Cheng asked in surprise: “Do I? I seem to have never owed anyone money.” Pausing, he looked at his pants: “Do you have anything else.”

Can you let go?

Zhuo Huan just wouldn’t let go. He sat up straight on the sofa, crossed his legs, looked up at Fu Cheng with a faint smile: “Your fly is open.”

Fu Cheng was unmoved: “I’m not an elementary school student.”

The next moment, his pupils constricted slightly, and his whole person froze in place.

Zhuo Huan held the fabric of his pants with one hand, and extended the other hand towards Fu Cheng’s fly with extreme speed, then with a zip sound, decisively unzipped it. Everything happened extremely fast, and Fu Cheng couldn’t dodge at all.

With a successful smile on his face, Zhuo Huan raised his eyebrows: “There.”

Now it’s open.

Fu Cheng forcefully threw off this man’s hand and zipped up his fly expressionlessly.

Fu Cheng said coldly: “It seems I’m not the elementary school student, you are.” After speaking, he turned and left.

“Hey, Fu Cheng.”

The man’s casual voice came from behind, but Fu Cheng didn’t want to turn back and pay attention to this person at all.

Zhuo Huan leaned back on the sofa, tilted his head slightly, and his long hair fell to the side due to gravity.

Zhuo Huan said loudly: “Why are you so interested in Rogue 318.”

His footsteps paused for a moment. Fu Cheng didn’t answer and continued to walk forward. Soon, his figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Zhuo Huan watched him leave step by step, then covered his face with his hand, laughter overflowing from between his fingers.

Three days later, NTSB held another press conference to announce the investigation results of AA4012.

The black box appeared, and the truth finally broke through layers of seawater from the boundless depths of the ocean, seeing the light of day again.

At this press conference, besides media reporters, many families of victims also arrived at the scene. They also wanted to know the truth, wanting their deceased relatives to rest in peace underground.

This time, the heated verbal battles seen at last month’s press conference did not reappear. The truth of the accident was no longer controversial. The main cause was special marine meteorology; severe weather caused the plane to encounter unimaginable difficulties. The secondary cause was pilot responsibility; the two pilots fell into the Coriolis illusion and piloted the plane incorrectly.

Fu Cheng stood outside the conference hall and did not go in to listen.

However, separated by a thin door panel, the sobbing and sorrowful sounds still penetrated his ears. Crying is always so heart-wrenching. The distance between life and death is an extreme pain that no one can walk out of, even decades later, even after time has smoothed the edges, smoothed the past laughter and joy. Recalling that person again, the world will only emerge with a black and white smile.

Grief penetrates deep into the bone marrow, indelible.

As the press conference proceeded, slowly, many relatives of the victims couldn’t bear it and left crying first.

Mrs. Harrison’s eyes were red. She wiped the corners of her eyes and walked slowly out of the conference hall door.

“Mrs. Harrison.”

She turned her head, looked at the young man in front of her, thought for a while, and remembered: “You are one of the investigators of this accident.”

Fu Cheng stepped forward, his voice soft: “Yes, my name is Fu Cheng. We met in Boston. My condolences.”

“Thank you, I really…” Covering her face and crying for a while, Mrs. Harrison forced a pale smile, “Tim didn’t make it, sorry, I really feel very sorry.”

Fu Cheng: “Under those circumstances, he tried very hard. I remember you told me in Boston that Tim once said this to you—”

“Father’s mistake, I won’t make it again.”

“He did it.”

Mrs. Harrison stared blankly at Fu Cheng, tears bursting out of her eyes. She cried hoarsely, lips trembling, heartache making her speechless.

Fu Cheng comforted her and personally saw her out the door.

Warm sunlight pierced through the clouds, gently illuminating the earth.

It was February, almost spring.

When Mrs. Harrison left, both sides of the corridor were filled with various bouquets. Sent by media reporters, sent by people from all walks of life, to comfort the 298 lonely souls under the cold seawater. Her gaze suddenly fell on a bunch of pure white lilies in the corner.

A small card was inserted between the bouquets. Obviously, just walking over, one could see what was written on the card.

Mrs. Harrison stood still for a long time, staring fixedly, but ultimately did not take that step.

…

『 Father’s mistake, I won’t make it again.

He was an excellent pilot, Mom, I always thought so.

If you have seen high mountains, you will no longer be satisfied with grasslands; if you have seen the sky, you will no longer be satisfied with the earth.

My mother, I will soar in the blue sky and become your proudest eagle. 』

After the press conference ended, NTSB held another grand summary cocktail party as usual.

This time, the members of UAAG had no interest in this, but they didn’t leave immediately either. After resting for a night and getting enough sleep, the next evening, everyone got into the car arranged by Lina and arrived at Dulles International Airport. Surprisingly, this time, after entering the airport, they didn’t go to the first-class VIP lounge.

Led by a flight attendant, the five entered a corridor paved with red carpet, passing through the international departure terminal building. Private security check, no other passengers appeared, even simply passing through a corridor where machines installed on the wall automatically detected. No need to pass through security machines, nor check items on the body, just passed the security check directly.

Fu Cheng and the others all sensed something was wrong.

Zhuo Huan raised an eyebrow lightly, looking meaningfully at Lina: “Private jet?”

Su Fei exclaimed: “Holy shit, private jet?!”

Old Joseph was also very shocked: “UAAG is already luxurious to this extent now, private jet back to the country?”

Lina showed a mysterious smile. Before she could answer, the five had walked out of the corridor and arrived at the tarmac.

In the dark night, a huge McFly FP475 was parked impressively in the center. The boarding stairs had been lowered long ago, and three pilots and two flight attendants had been waiting on the side for a long time. Seeing the UAAG members arrive, they bowed slightly, smiling in welcome.

In this silent and dark night, this McFly FP475 stood like a behemoth, majestic.

Su Fei still felt it wasn’t quite real: “Am I dreaming? NTSB and American Airlines are so generous, private jet, and a private jet from the US back to China, crossing half the globe! I’m convinced, NTSB is really fucking rich, capitalists are simply blood-sucking demons!”

Zhuo Huan: “NTSB is rich, but not brainless.”

Su Fei didn’t react: “Huh?”

Everyone boarded together.

Zhuo Huan, hands in pockets, walked up first. Then Lina.

Fu Cheng looked at Zhuo Huan’s back, recalling his words just now, and suddenly a light flashed in his mind. And after they boarded, things developed exactly as Fu Cheng expected.

As soon as Zhuo Huan walked into the cabin, the elderly man sitting on the leather sofa looked up and saw him, stunned first, then frowned and shook his head: “Logically speaking, Reid, you should have a bit of gentlemanly demeanor and let the lady board first.”

Zhuo Huan sat on a seat aside and said lightly: “I just happened to be first.”

Soon, Lina also walked in. Seeing the elderly man sitting on the sofa, she smiled and opened her arms to welcome him.

The white-haired old man stood up with a smile, his serious expression swept away after seeing his daughter, and hugged her happily: “Lina, how long has it been since we met.”

Lina smiled: “More than half a year, Dad. Since I followed Reid into UAAG, we haven’t met again.”

At this time, the remaining people walked into the airport and happened to hear Lina’s words.

Su Fei: “Holy shit? Dad?!”

Yes, no one expected to meet the current head of the Romain family, Lina’s father, Mr. Romain, here.

Lina: “Actually, I didn’t expect to meet Dad in Washington either. It’s really a coincidence. He just arrived in Washington yesterday, and then has to go to Tokyo today. So I thought, we could take his private jet back to Shencheng.”

Currently, there are about 40,000 business jets worldwide, but less than 5% belong to private individuals. Among them, those capable of ultra-long-range transoceanic flights are even fewer.

Most business jets only perform short-haul flights. Only four companies worldwide can produce transoceanic business jets: Boeing, McFly, Airbus, and Embraer.

This McFly FP475 was specially made by McFly for Lina’s father, Mr. Romain.

Old Joseph admired the extremely luxurious decoration in the cabin; even the sofa cushions were specially customized by Hermes. He lamented: “I heard McFly only built eight such planes. Three were bought by the Saudi royal family at a high price, one is with the President, and one was given to the FAA. That leaves only three, didn’t expect to see one here.”

Lina smiled and said: “One was given to McFly’s former… oh no, former former chief designer, one belongs to my father. As for the last one…” Lina glanced at Zhuo Huan with her eyes.

Everyone understood immediately.

Su Fei: “RIP, you still have this treasure, why didn’t you bring it out earlier!”

Zhuo Huan snorted lightly: “Not with me anymore.”

Su Fei: “Ah?”

Lina kindly explained for him: “That one was sold by Reid last August, sold to the Saudi royal family. I have to say, the Saudi royal family is really rich.”

Mr. Romain also agreed with his daughter’s view: “That price, honestly I was moved, thought about selling this plane to them too. It’s just a pity they didn’t seem to plan to buy a fourth one.”

At this moment, everyone looked at Great Master Zhuo, once again experiencing what is called a Schrödinger’s rich person.

Luxury private jets specially designed by McFly for VIPs are naturally different from ordinary private jets.

First, this plane can perform ultra-long-range transoceanic flights. Second, independent bathing facilities were set up on the plane, and more than one. Wine bar, entertainment room, even a movie screening room. Everything you can think of and can’t think of, this plane has it.

Just after boarding and flying smoothly, everyone couldn’t hold back and wanted to visit the plane.

Even Fu Cheng was extremely curious about this plane. Except for Zhuo Huan who closed the door and lay in bed to catch up on sleep, and Mr. Romain who was handling official business and couldn’t accompany them, Lina took the other three to start visiting various parts of the plane.

They started visiting from the head of the plane, going to the cockpit first.

If it were a normal plane, passengers certainly couldn’t visit the cockpit, couldn’t even open the door. But this was Mr. Romain’s private jet. The co-pilot opened the cockpit door for them. The four didn’t go in, just stood outside the door, greeted the three pilots inside, and took a look from afar.

Next was the massage room and entertainment room.

Su Fei was dumbfounded.

“You think rich people are happy? No, you simply can’t imagine how happy they are!”

After visiting the entertainment room, next were two separate washrooms. Su Fei and Old Joseph couldn’t wait to visit the wine bar. Fu Cheng said: “I’m going to the washroom.” Lina nodded and took Su Fei and the other to visit the wine bar.

Fu Cheng washed his hands, pushed open the door, and his gaze stopped on the man.

“Teacher Zhuo.”

Zhuo Huan also didn’t seem to expect to see Fu Cheng. He seemed to have just woken up and wasn’t very spirited. He gave a soft “Mm”, then stepped forward to walk in. But after taking just one step, he turned his head again, his voice somewhat lazy: “Your fly is open.”

Fu Cheng: “…”

Slowly, Fu Cheng curled the corner of his mouth: “Teacher Zhuo, Lina once said something to me, I think she was quite right.”

Zhuo Huan: “Hmm?”

Fu Cheng showed a brilliant smile: “I can beat you in a fight.”

Zhuo Huan: “…”

Their eyes met. The next moment, Zhuo Huan reached down. With a click, he zipped up Fu Cheng’s open fly.

He smiled slowly, his voice hoarse and ambiguous: “Oh, but your fly was really open.”

Fu Cheng: “…”

After a long time, he smiled: “Oh, but I can really beat you.”

After speaking, Fu Cheng turned to leave, but his wrist was suddenly grabbed. He opened his eyes wide in astonishment. The next second, Zhuo Huan pushed him into the washroom. Mr. Romain happened to walk over too. He didn’t see clearly who entered the washroom, the door closing right in front of him. He paused, then opened the door of the other washroom.

Zhuo Huan moved extremely fast. At the same time he pushed the person in, he hooked the door with his foot and closed it.

After the shock, Fu Cheng scolded hurriedly: “Zhuo Huan!”

“Agreed to settle the score…”

Taking out a silver cigarette case from his pocket, he pressed lightly, and a cigarette popped out. Lighting this cigarette, Zhuo Huan stood at the door, his back against the washroom door panel, blocking Fu Cheng’s path.

He looked up, expression calm: “Oh, you plan not to admit the debt.”

Volume 4: The Hidden Whisperer

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