A pilot’s chilling final message before he died in a tragic plane crash has been revealed.
In 1978, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182 crashed and 144 passengers, crew and ground staff lost their lives in what was then labelled ‘America’s deadliest plane crash’.
On a clear Septembers day, it was ‘perfect’ for flying, and while the chance of a plane crash taking place is 1 in 1.2 million, this aircraft happened to be that one.
The plane crashed in San Diego following a collision with another aircraft- Cessna Skyhawk N7711G. Every moment leading up to the horrific crash was recorded via the cockpit.
The Boeing 727 crew had been told to stay aware of the Cessna, it was flying in the same area. Unfortunately, the crew lost sight of it and disaster struck.
Pilots asssumed the smaller plane was behind them as they could no longer see it; but, it was just below them.
The Cessna exploded on impact after crashing into the right wing of the PSA plane, killing Martin Kazy Jr and David Boswell.
The Boeing plane managed to stay airborne for a short while beforing plumetting to the ground at speeds of 300mph.
All 135 passengers and crew onboard died, with only four bodies being found intact.
Seven people were killed on the ground, with 22 houses receiving damage from the impact.
Captain James McFeron, 42, told passengers to ‘brace themselves’ after realising they were going to hit the ground.
Air traffic controllers received messages rfom McFeron: “Tower, we’re going down.”
He then uttered the four haunting words: “This is it, baby!”
An unidentified voice, suspected to be McFeron, first officer Robert Eugine Fox, or engineer Martin J, Wahne proclaimed: “Ma, I love ya.”
With many of the deceased bodies being dismembered, the scene could be compared to an apocalyptic film.
Gary Jaus, training San Diego Police Officer, said: “One alley was filled with just arms, legs and feet…I wasn’t ready to see the torso of a stewardess slammed against a car.”
Other body parts landed in trees and on rooftops.