moved to the First Class section and will initiate an emergency landing.”
There was a short, startled silence, followed by, “Copy that, Captain Capp, NS 729.”
“We also have a hydraulics issue. EICAS* indicated a drop in pressure; extent of damage unknown.”
“Copy that, NS 729. Where would you like to go?”
“Salt Lake City.”
“NS 729, we understand. Please advise when you want to come in.”
“Copy, Tower.”
Wilson let out a breath. “Okay. So. There’s a plan.”
“There’s always a plan, First Officer Wilson.”
“How about the passengers?”
Passenger announcements were at the captain’s discretion. This wasn’t her first emergency landing, and experience had taught Ava not to say a word until she’d taken care of the essentials and had a plan for landing. Which she now had, so she clicked into the PA system.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Captain Ava Capp. Captain Lewis has had a medical emergency, so we are keeping him comfortable and diverting to Salt Lake City. We’ll be landing in a few minutes, and, needless to say, I’ve turned on the fasten-seatbelts sign. The flight attendants are standing by to assist you, and I will update you as often as I can. And remember, once we’re safely on the ground, you’ll have a good story for your friends and family.”
There was a quick rap at the cabin door, and then G.B. was poking his head in.
“How’s Captain Lewis?” she asked.
“There are no medical personnel among the passengers, so we’re giving him oxygen and monitoring his vitals.” Which was about all they could do, but it was better than nothing.
“Very well. I need a head count, passengers and crew,” she replied without looking up.
“Got it right here,” G.B. said at once, because he was terrific. “Two hundred twenty-two passengers, crew of seven, including us.”
“Copy, leave the manifest where I can grab it in a hurry.”
“Copy. I also have a number of passengers requesting drinks service. Specifically booze.”
“Oh, I’m sure. But that’s a negative.”
“I figured.” Then, lower, “I wanted to request booze, too, but you’re heartless so I have to do this sober.”
Startled, Wilson let out a bark of laughter as G.B. exited.
“NS 729, this is the SLC tower.”
“SLC, this is NS 729. Go.”
“Report SLC when in sight, please.”
“In sight,” Ava replied, because yay! It was. Never had the clay valley of Salt Lake City looked so inviting. “Tower, SLC airport is in sight.”
“Very good, NS 729. Runway four is available.”
“Copy that, descending to runway four. Please roll an ambulance.”
“Got it, NS 729. Rolling ambulance.”
“Okay, Wilson, let’s see what’s going on with the hydraulics. Starting descent.” But because it was that kind of day … “Landing gear is not deploying.” She tried again. Nothing. So the hydraulic system was fucked. “Accessing electrical system to deploy landing gear.” Gotta love all the redundancies the engineers thought up … except that wasn’t working, either. No hydraulics + no way to bypass and use the electrical system = no landing gear. No landing gear = belly landing. What fun. “Tower, our landing gear will not deploy. Repeat, attempts to lower landing gear have been unsuccessful. Can you verify with a visual?”
“Negative, NS 729; all incoming flights were diverted.”
“Copy. We’ll be making a gear-up landing. Are we still go for runway four?”
“Affirmative, NS 729. Runway four is ready for you. Rolling more ground emergency crews.”
“Copy, Tower. I’m going to circle up here for a while, use up some of our fuel.”
“Copy, NS 729.”
Wilson cleared his throat. “We’re still on for dinner, though, right? Because everything’s going to be fine?”
“Of course.” She clicked into the PA system. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are unable to lower our landing gear, which means we’ll be making what’s called a belly landing. I know that sounds scary, but I can tell you that in twenty years, there have been only three belly landings and all resulted in zero injuries. I’m going to circle for a bit while they get ready for us. Follow the crew’s instructions to the letter or you’re in for a major scolding. I’m not kidding. I’ll use foul language and everything.”
She clicked off and looked at Wilson. “Ready?”
“Of course.”
“Atta boy. Y’know, the chances of a pilot emergency and a hydraulics issue have to be millions to one. When we get on the ground, I’m buying a lottery ticket.”
“When we get on the ground, I’ll buy you all the tickets you want.” While they were talking, Wilson had been going over the emergency landing checklist—airlines have lists for everything—and Ava set a course to keep to her pattern and burn