| From: | "Brian E. Angliss" <ANGLISS@******.BITNET> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Boston News Release, Airport closed |
| Date: | Tue, 15 Nov 1994 12:08:31 -0500 |
This is Charlie Fingers, reporting to you from the Boston Metroplex airport.
Just recently, we recieved that as soon as all the local traffic has been
cleared from holding patterns over Boston, the airport will be closing due to
computer problems. Apparently, the INS instrumental landing guidance system
failed catastrophically about 43 minutes ago, forcing the tower to re-route all
incoming air traffic to secondary airports except those already in holding
patterns and semi-ballistics already en-route. As you know, semi-ballistics
are incapable of changing trajectory enough to reach a back-up landing site due
to fuel availablility. All attempts at restarting the INS system have failed
and the FCC and the local authorities are working with all speed to get a
second system moved into place in order to restart the airport.
+++++Charlie Fingers seems to glance off into nowhere, the hallmark of an
implanted radio, then his attention returns to the camera.
I just recieved notice that just over 2 minutes ago, there was a near
collision over Lexington between two sub-orbitals, each carrying over 150
passengers. And this has just been radioed to me: The local approach radar
here at the airport has also failed, forcing the planes in the air to come in
as the tower makes space....what!?! Jack, focus behind me, out the window!
+++++The focus of the camera changes drastically as the camerman changes his
focus from Charlie to the runway behind him while in the background, you hear
Charlie continuing to talk.
I've just been told that the last of the semi-ballistics that was already
en-route when the INS system crashed is coming in for a landing, but that
since the radar has gone out, they can't give the pilot any data whatsoever and
that she is trying to bring the plane in on full manual, with no assistance
from the tower. All other traffic is being re-routed away from the runway
that you see in your screens....Yes! There it is, coming in. But wait a
second! NO! There's an HSCT in the way of the Semi-ballistic! Can the...
+++++On the screen you see a violent flash several seconds before you hear an
explosion so loud that the windows shake, and some of them crack. Outside,
a firey ball is turning into a black, sooty cloud and large chunks of debris
appear to be falling on the approach just before the runway.
Oh my god....oh my god.......oh my GOD! Folks, it appears that the semi-
ballistic and the HCST have collided in mid-air and exploded. We will keep you
informed as more news becomes available. However, it is unlikely that there
will be any survivors of the possible 400 to 500 passengers and crewmembers of
the two vehicles.
This is a terrible day here in Boston, where the failure of two computerized
guidance and control systems has so far resulted in the deaths of 400 to 500
people, the near collision of two more aircraft, and untold other problems that
will only become apparent as the day goes on.
This is Charlie Fingers, keeping you up to the second on the news from Boston,
signing off until more news becomes available.
+++++End Trideo Download+++++ ]<<<<<
-- Trideo Pirate <12:07:36/11-15-55>
