Original subtitles

How was Europe?

Oh, it's still there.

Except for France. She's not sore at us anymore.

l was hoping you'd have a couple hours

'cause l'd like to talk about something.

Honey, in a couple of hours, l'll be halfway to L.A.

Board of directors just can't wait for these reports,

but, uh, I can do wonders in 30 minutes.

Well, I can't.

l guess we'll just have to wait till tonight.

What flight are you on?

The red-eye special.

Alan, why don't you wait and fly with me?

l'll have my work all finished by the time you get there.

l was really hoping we'd have a chance to talk now.

lt didn't feel to me like you were interested in talking just now.

(SlGHS)

Are you back in that same old kick about us?

lf that's what you want to call it.

Come on ! What's all the rush all of a sudden?

Rush?

l've been on this particular kick for six years now.

Maybe l'm tired of one-night stands.

Look, baby, l've only got half an hour.

Can't we talk it out when you get to L.A.?

Don't miss your flight, Murdock.

You wouldn't want to keep that boss of yours waiting.

But. . .

Did you enjoy your stay in our city, Miss Swanson?

Yes, I did.

Will you be returning anytime soon?

l don't know. I can't tell. My life is a surprise. One surprise after another.

You look lovely, Miss Swanson.

Thank you, Mr. Kelly.

lmagine getting gussied up like this

to watch a lot of Supreme Court judges chew.

Miss Swanson, what is the secret of your eternal youth?

This way, please.

l just take natural food. l will not have poisoned food.

l don't like it. lt's not good for anybody.

Just one more question. lt's a. . .

WOMAN ON P.A. : Northwest Orient passenger, Janet...

Who is she, Sister Beatrice? Do you recognize her?

l believe it's one of those Hollywood persons.

Oh !

You mean, an actress?

Or worse.

MAN ON P.A. : Mr. Kelly, line six, please. Mr. Kelly, line six.

CoIumbia AirIines fIight 10 for Albuquerque and Denver, now boarding.

Kelly here.

This is Dr. Weiner. Jefferson Memorial Hospital.

Yes, Doctor, how are you?

Fine, thank you. Listen. We have a patient on the way out there.

Name's Janice Abbott.

She's booked on flight 409 for Los Angeles.

Yes. Everything's been set for her.

Fine. Thank you.

l just wanted to make sure and to let you know

that the ambulance was late in getting away.

No need to worry about that, Doctor.

lf we have to delay departure, we will.

Fine, thank you. Listen, it's been touch and go for us.

She's scheduled for a transplant and the kidney's in L.A.

Now, we can't have her off the dialysis machine too long.

Yes, Doctor. I was told.

l wanted you to understand the urgency of the situation.

We'll take good care of her, Doctor.

Thank you.

WOMAN: Yes, sir. Check Columbia maintenance.

Make sure the arrangements for that kidney patient on 409 have been set.

Yes, sir.

You really want to sail a 35-footer all the way to Hawaii?

What's wrong with that?

Nothing, if you have an all-girl crew.

My first mate wouldn't dig that.

What's his problem?

Hers. First mate's my wife.

Oh, I can dig it.

Oh, that's nice. Nice, nice, nice.

Conserve your energy, Urias. l hear we can expect a bumpy ride tonight.

l used to know a stewardess who thought that was sexy.

You're weird. You know that?

How do you get rid of this jet lag?

You just do.

Why? You still tired in the morning? Uh-huh.

Give it a couple months.

Hey, do we have a sexy crew tonight?

l don't check anymore.

ln any case, it'll be a change from Ogallala, Kansas.

lsn't everything?

There. You see why l love my job so much?

Well, they sure have all the right equipment.

But it would be wrong. That's for sure.

How are your kids and your wife, Julio?

Watch out for that one, Gary. She's got seniority.

What about the teenager?

lt's Ms. Teenager, please.

l'm emancipated and highly skilled in kung fu.

Whatever happened to womanhood?

Hey, that's enough of that for you.

The convention's over. l want you to taper off.

No more! You should've stuck to that Blue Nun.

We got a plane to catch, Sammy boy.

We got a plane, Sammy boy.

Bartender, another one all around.

No more. We got a plane. . .

California, here I come Right back where

(GLASS SHATTERlNG) l'm sorry. l didn't mean that.

Oh, excuse me. l. . .

Sammy! What's the matter with you?

l'm sorry. lt's my fault.

He's a little sloshed. You know what I mean? l'm sorry, man.

Can I make amends?

Listen, we'd like to buy you a drink.

l'd like to buy you a drink.

Whatever you'd like to have.

Please. Please.

Well, maybe a little bourbon on the rocks.

You got it.

Nurse, bourbon on the rocks for the lady, please.

With a small beer chaser.

Jesus Christ, a boilermaker.

Where's the flight log?

Here it is, sir.

lt's clean.

No deferred items?

Not a thing.

The crew chief was worried about number three.

lt's all taken care of, papa.

Well, ain't that thoughtful !

". . .contains a concert hall, an opera house and. . ."

Hello, Mrs. Patroni. What are you doing on the red-eye special?

We stayed to see a play at the Kennedy Center.

Nice to see you again, Joseph.

Thank you, sir.

"The decor includes flags of all nations."

This thing will never get off the ground.

Never fly. Take my word for it.

Young man, you think this thing won't fly?

ln 1917 I was flying in something wilder than this.

You know who the pilot was?

Wiley Post?

(CHUCKLlNG) No. Cecil B. DeMille.

We flew from Hollywood nonstop to Pasadena.

Yes, and on the way home we did loop-the-loops

so that I could see the moon upside down.

MAN: We need emergency assistance at main artery.

Ambulance trying to get to Columbia Airlines flight number 409.

(CARS HONKlNG)

You don't mind turning off that music, do you?

Thanks.

Get us clearance.

Dulles Tower, Columbia 409.

We're taxiing in five minutes. Request A.T.C. clearance.

TOWER RADlO: On request.

How are you?

Go ahead.

Thank you !

You all right? l'm fine.

All right. Okay.

We got him. lt's all right.

l'm okay, l'm all right.

Yeah, right back through there.

Down there. Down there.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTlNG)

ls that Spanish one really married?

His wife thinks he is.

Oh, well. The other one's just as neat.

Eight years ago, l thought they were all neat.

Thank you.

How are you?

(BEEPlNG)

Yes?

JULlO: Hey, mama, got a patch on the company wire from L.A.

Some guy named Al. You interested?

l'll be right up. Thanks, Julio.

Arlene, could you help Bette here?

Okay.

Hello there, Mrs. Patroni. Hi, nice to see you.

Your seats are right over in there, Mrs. Patroni. Good evening.

You better use code.

Neat.

Hello, Alan.

Hey, honey, l'm not getting you into any trouble, am l?

l don't think so.

'Course that's what l've been trying to do for years,

but you're too smart for me.

Alan, what is it?

l just didn't like the way we said good-bye. That's all.

l don't remember anybody saying good-bye.

Come on, damn it. You know what I mean.

Then why don't you tell me what you mean, Alan?

(SlGHS) I guess l haven't been too good at that, have l?

You've had your moments.

Yeah.

Look, that talk you mentioned?

We'll have that as soon as you get here. l promise.

Okay.

Have a good flight.

Thanks.

Hey, I love you. Nancy?

Hey, you don't look happy, baby.

l don't know what you mean.

STACY: Kelly, we're seven minutes behind departure time.

KELLY: Yes, sir. l'm aware of it.

What the hell is the word?

The ambulance should be close.

l sure hope so.

l got special clearance through gate four, sir.

Please keep an eye open for it.

Okay. We'll give 'em a hand. Won't you, Julio?

Yes, sir.

Would you hold this, please? I'll take care of Miss Swanson.

Good evening. Right this way, please.

Thank you.

Hello. How are you?

Good evening, Miss Swanson.

Good evening. l mean, good morning.

Right here, Miss Swanson.

Oh, yes, put it under my feet. Thank you very much.

lt's a pleasure to have you with us, Miss Swanson.

lf there's anything l can do for you, just let me know.

l shall.

Never mind her, sister. Put your ticket away.

Yes, sister.

(BARKlNG)

Sammy, will you sit down?

Sammy, will you sit down?

You're a tiny bit nervous, aren't you?

l know.

l've flown thousands of miles and under very difficult circumstances.

l assure you there's nothing to be worried about.

Oh, may l?

He's probably got something on his mind,

and he's probably getting it off his chest right now.

(SlREN WAlLlNG)

Look, sister, an ambulance.

Oh, I hope it's not serious!

Clear the aisle, please.

Good evening.

Oh, how blessed I am.

Three children, seven grandchildren and all healthy. Thank God.

Julio, this is fine right here. Careful, careful.

lt's a young girl.

Let me take that.

Let me take your coat.

Oh, thank you.

There.

You want this? Please.

Thank you so much.

NANCY: We're happy to have you aboard, Janice.

Thank you.

lt's gonna be a lot of laughs. l can see that right now.

Here we go, boys. Right up here. Here we go.

l'm sorry, fellas.

The bar is closed till we get to cruising altitude.

Why is the bar closed?

We're not at cruising altitude?

No, not yet. Didn't I see you guys over in coach?

Coach? Yeah, but we always fly first class.

Why don't we go back and you can fasten your seat belts?

We'll get your drinks faster.

l want a dry vodka martini with a twist of lemon.

l'm gonna fly Rifka next time.

Please, Janice, remember what the doctor said.

You must lie very, very still.

l know, Mother.

But it's so exciting.

The people are so interesting.

You'll have to turn your seat facing forward for the takeoff, Mrs. Abbott.

Oh, thank you. All right.

And why don't you just hold tight to that guitar?

Okay. Okay.

RADlO: Columbia 409 clear for takeoff.

STACY: We're rolling.

This is it. Count your beads, folks.

l hear Rosie Grier does that.

Yes, he does.

RADIO: Here in Gallup and surrounding areas

we can expect a massive cold front moving in from the north.

Heavy turbulence is predicted above 15, 000 feet.

Storm warnings are posted over most of northern Utah and ldaho.

Did you hear that, Scotty? Looks like you're stuck here.

You might as well come on back to town with us and try it tomorrow.

l wish I could stay. l've enjoyed being with you fellas.

What's so goddamn important in Boise?

lf I miss that meeting in the morning,

l'll lose about a half next year's sales commission.

Well, the weather's not gonna change. What are you gonna do?

l know I can make it to Elko for refueling.

Maybe the weather will thin out up there.

Okay, if you want to break up this glamorous trio. Come on.

We'll help you untie.

RADlO: Massive cold front is moving in from the north.

Heavy turbulence is predicted above 15, 000 feet.

You look a little off-color, Scotty.

You sure you're feeling all right?

Oh, l'm fine.

Good luck now!

(ENGlNE SPUTTERlNG)

(ENGlNE REVVlNG)

Departure, Columbia 409 out of 2,000 feet for flight level 2-4-0.

RADlO: Roger, Columbia 409. Radar contact.

Turn right to 3-0-0 degrees. Report out at 7,000.

Columbia 409 turning right to 3-0-0 degrees, will check out at 7,000.

Landing gear?

The light's off.

Flaps?

Up. Light's off.

Engine ignition?

Off.

No smoking sign? Off.

Departure, 409 checking out at 7,000.

Roger 409. Contact Washington Center, 128.2.

Roger. 409. Washington Center 128.2.

So long, pal.

Well, we've done it again, papa.

Once again skill and daring have overcome fear and anxiety.

Study this chapter and don't move anything till I get back.

Nancy, got a couple of aspirin?

What's the matter? You got a headache?

Did you ever take a tour of Washington with a 10-year-old kid

who wants to see everything?

Everything !

Sure you don't want a drink instead?

l'll give these 10 minutes.

(STRlNGS VlBRATE)

(VlBRATlNG CONTlNUES)

Which one takes the sugar again?

The neat one.

Oh, Julio. Mm-hmm.

Come on. I'll take you into the lion's den.

Who's afraid of the lion's den? l'm Jewish !

Jewish? From Ogallala?

And you gotta see Gloria Swanson. She looks terrific!

Oh, hi, Nancy. Bette, we've missed you.

lt has been a long time, hasn't it?

Thank you. Nobody misses me anymore.

Well, you're onto us, baby.

And l'm not, huh?

You're too young to know what l'm talking about.

l know what you're talking about.

Yeah, but you're a dirty old man.

We need love too.

Nancy, how do you put up with these monkeys?

l've been here so long, l don't hear it anymore.

No wonder you're so good at dodging passes.

The trouble with Nancy is she never learned to rise above her principles.

No way. The trouble with Nancy is she's a one-man girl. Right, baby?

Right, baby.

What a waste of talent.

Hey! There's no sugar in this.

l'm sorry. l'm sorry.

This. . . This is it.

l'm sorry.

l like my coffee sweet, mommy.

Huh? Huh? l'll see you later.

Ay, chico!

Miss Devaney? Miss Devaney.

There are two empty seats up front.

Would you like to see the picture up there?

Oh, that would be nice.

Fine.

Plug it in right here.

MAN: Down in front, sir.

Yes, I'll be down.

l'm. . . l'm in this picture.

You're in this picture?

lt's just a small part,

but the producer said the next picture l'll have a bigger part.

Good !

Sister Beatrice? lt's coming up now.

l'm going to see if I can talk to that young girl.

Pardon me, sister. Yes?

Don't you like the picture?

Oh, I wasn't watching. Oh.

Here it comes.

(PASSENGERS GROANlNG)

The picture broke.

The picture broke?

The only reason l took the flight was because of the picture.

(CHUCKLlNG) lt's all right.

l've seen this movie.

You have? How'd I come out?

Fine! l did?

Just fine.

Oh, thank you.

ls this a double?

That's a double.

Keep 'em coming, will ya?

Hi. Excuse me.

Would it be all right if I said hello to the little girl?

l'm not sure.

l guess so. Go ahead.

Okay.

Hi.

Hi. l'm Sister Ruth.

l'm Janice.

That's a nice guitar.

Thank you.

Do you play?

Oh, just a little bit.

What kind of music do you like?

Oh, I like rock music, folk music, all kinds.

Me too. Would you like to try?

Okay.

ls it all right if I sit here?

Sure.

Would you take better care of yourself

Would you be kinder to yourself

Would you be more forgiving

Of your human imperfections

lf you realized your best friend was yourself

Who is always with you everywhere

Who is on your side when others are unfair

Tell me who will never let you down

ln any situation

Who will always see you get your share

That's why I am

A best friend to myself

And I take me out

Whenever I feel low

And I make my life as happy as a best friend would

l'm as nice to me as anyone I know

(HUMMlNG)

Oh !

Your book editor has a query.

ln chapter two you tell how the studios could tell the contract stars

what to do and what not to do.

You had two friends who didn't cave under studio pressure.

They want the names.

That's easy.

Carole Lombard and Grace Moore.

l was a rebel too.

Miss Swanson, can I get you something from the bar?

No, thank you. l have my own. Tea.

Miss Griffith?

Yes. A martini, please.

MRS. PATRONl: l don't believe it.

Did it again.

Who's winning?

You know my son Diamond Jim?

Wins at everything, just like his father.

How long have you been playing that game, Joseph?

Ever since we took off.

Better keep him away from Vegas.

Hello, Mr. Patroni.

Hi, Mr. Patroni.

Hi.

Hey, Patroni, what the heck you doing down here?

What's wrong with your fancy new office?

New job doesn't keep you busy, huh?

You know how it is. Just like to keep my hand in.

Yeah ! Listen, I just got this crew broke in, so don't go screwing 'em up

with any of your old-fashioned ways of doin' things.

You know what l mean? Oops.

(CLANKlNG)

Oopsy.

He dropped his old-fashioned wrench.

Miss?

You need something?

l feel a little queasy. The altitude, I guess.

l'll have a bourbon

with a beer chaser.

Miss Devaney?

Miss Devaney, do you know what you just ordered?

They call those boilermakers.

l know.

Bourbon with a beer chaser.

SCOTT: Operator, l'd like to place a credit card call.

My number is 644011 -537F.

Calling Mrs. Scott Freeman, same number, Boise, ldaho.

Area code 208.

(PHONE RlNGlNG)

Hello. Hello?

Where are you?

Elko. l've been having weather problems.

Oh, really now, Scotty, don't take any chances.

Don't worry.

How is the weather there?

Well, the moon's out right now,

but there are a few clouds around.

Well, there's a squall line going through here.

l'll wait it out, and then come on home.

Look, can't you just cancel that meeting tomorrow?

No way!

Those guys only come out once a year.

l'll find a hole in this weather, and be there as soon as I can.

Okay. I'll wait up.

That'll be worth coming through anything for.

l love you, darling.

l love you.

What's wrong, Junior?

A vibration.

Number three, huh? Yeah.

Hey, when we get to Los Angeles, you're gonna go see Fifi.

Gimme a kiss.

Oh, well, that's good.

l guess everybody'd given up hope including the doctors.

Nobody expected me to live.

But then, l've never done anything I was expected to do.

ls everything okay?

Yes, fine. Thank you.

l once went with a girl who was half French and half Chinese.

l came home late one night, she ate my laundry.

l want to be sure and tell everyone

how you irrigate those flowers.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTlNG)

Hey, Plunkett, who do you guys think is gonna make it to the Super Bowl?

Well. . .

New England probably has the inside shot.

Real funny, James. (CHUCKLlNG)

Los Angeles Center, Columbia 409

over Bryce Canyon at flight level 3-5-0.

RADlO: Roger, Columbia 409. Stand by for radar identification.

We gotta sort you out. ldentify.

Sort us out or deal us out?

Deal us out, I hope.

Sounds like they've got more traffic stacked up than the freeway.

RADlO: Columbia 409, Center.

409. Go ahead.

LAX reporting zero-zero.

The whole coastline's socked in

from San Diego to San Francisco.

Well, well, well.

All right, thank you. We'll proceed to our alternate, Salt Lake City.

Do you have their current weather? Yes.

They're reporting scattered clouds at 15,000.

For radar vector, turn right to 3-4-0 degrees.

Roger, 3-4-0.

l hope you two won't be lonesome tonight.

Julio, will we be lonely tonight?

URlAS: That's it. Fly on.

SCOTT: Boise Approach, this is Barron 232 Zulu.

Do you read me?

RADlO: Boise Approach. Go ahead, 232 Zulu.

232 Zulu. Forty miles southeast at 10,000.

V. F. R. on top. Request landing information.

232 Zulu, we're fogged in here solid.

Salt Lake City is open.

Roger, Boise. Will you give me a vector direct to Salt Lake?

1-4-0 degrees, turn right.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Stacy speaking.

May I have your attention, please?

Due to extremely heavy fog up and down the California coastline,

we're going to land at Salt Lake City.

(PASSENGERS GROANlNG)

Our estimated time of arrival is approximately 20 minutes from now.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

We'll try and make your delay as pleasant as possible.

Thank you.

What do you do in Salt Lake City?

l went there once. lt was closed.

Miss Devaney?

Miss Devaney? Yes?

Salt Lake City may be very good for you.

lt's dry there, you know.

Dry?

Do you know that my first trip to California took five days?

So, if we have to spend a weekend in Salt Lake, l'm still ahead.

But we have to get to Los Angeles!

We'll make it all right, Mrs. Abbott.

Wait'll I ask Dad if this is any way to run an airline.

l suppose you'll want to see the Mormon temple.

Hey, that'd be neat!

You don't understand.

She can't stay off that kidney machine too long.

She's a very sick girl.

We'll make it. l know we will !

Salt Lake Center from Columbia 409.

RADlO: Salt Lake Center. Go ahead, Columbia 409.

We're descending for a landing in your fair city.

Please alert Brigham Young.

Roger, 409. We have you in radar contact.

Checklist.

Windshield heat?

A-okay. Safe from all kinds of birdies.

Except young flying quail.

You're a disgrace to your race. Do you know that?

(SPEAKlNG SPANlSH)

What'd you say?

l said, my mother loves me.

Salt Lake Approach. Barron 232 Zulu.

RADlO: Go ahead, Barron 232 Zulu.

232 Zulu 30 miles northwest at 11,000.

Columbia 409, Salt Lake Approach.

Descend to 12,000. Maintain present heading.

Traffic at 12:00, five miles. lt's a twin-engine Barron.

Roger, Salt Lake.

Okay, Junior.

Let's get to it. Checklist.

Seat belt sign?

On.

Helen?

No, thank you. Nothing.

l'm sorry to bother you, but we're landing.

Would you put your seat back upright? Oh.

And fasten your seat belts. Okay, Joseph?

Excuse me. Yes?

Could you put your seat back upright?

Sure, you bet.

l'll take that. Oh, thank you.

Anti-ice?

Check.

Altimeters?

Set.

Brake pressure.

Three thousand pounds.

RADlO: 232 Zulu, Salt Lake Approach. Maintain your present heading.

You are number two for the approach following a heavy jet.

232 Zulu, Roger.

Parking brake?

Off.

Checklist complete.

RADlO: Columbia 409, maintain present heading

and altitude to intercept the l.L.S.

Upon intercepting the l.L.S., you're clear for approach.

Ah, pardon me. Don't your hands ever get tired?

Well, idle hands!

By the time we land, you'll probably have a rug.

A rug?

Salt Lake, this is 232 Zulu. What's the big delay?

RADlO: You're still number two behind a 747.

Five degrees flaps.

Five degrees.

(GROANlNG)

STEWARDESS: Ladies and gentlemen,

we have started our descent into Salt Lake City.

Please make sure your seat belts are fastened,

and put out your cigarettes when the light goes on.

STACY: What's wrong, Junior?

That damn vibration again.

RADlO: Columbia 409, the Barron is at 12:30.

Jesus!

(SCREAMlNG)

Sister Ruth !

Urias.

Urias!

Julio?

What happened?

l don't know, darling.

Bette, Carol, come here. Handle him.

Oh, my God !

Nancy. Yes.

Still flying?

Yes.

(GASPS)

Autopilot.

lt's in "on."

Good.

Altitude. Hold.

Get help.

Radio.

l will.

(SCREAMlNG)

RADlO: Columbia 409. Columbia 409.

This is Salt Lake Approach. Do you read me?

Do you read me? Columbia 409.

Salt Lake.

Salt Lake, this is Columbia 409.

lt's Nancy Pryor, stewardess.

Something hit us!

All the flight crew is

either dead or badly injured.

There's no one left to fly the plane!

Help us!

409, this is Salt Lake. We read you, Nancy. Stand by.

(SOBBlNG) Oh, my God, help us!

409, this is Salt Lake. Stay on this frequency, Nancy.

Are you flying level?

l think so, yes.

ls your autopilot on? The what?

Your autopilot. ls it on?

Oh, yes.

Very good. Now, describe the damage to the aircraft. Over.

There's a hole ripped through the plane on the right

just above the copilot's seat.

A lot of the gauges over the engineer's panel are broken.

The front controls seem to be all right.

All right, Nancy.

We have you in radar contact and you look good.

We'll do everything we can to help you.

Stay on this frequency, Nancy.

l'm goin' down to the l. F. R. room.

STEWARDESS: Don't panic. Stay seated, everybody. Please remain calm.

Sleep soundly. We'll be all right.

(CRYlNG)

Bette? Bette.

Now, I want you to get hold of yourself.

We're the ones who are going to have to go down there

and calm everybody else.

What is going to happen?

They're going to land the plane somehow.

How?

l don't know, but l want you to go down there

and tell everyone that everything is going to be all right.

We have to give them something to hope for.

Damn it, I just got off the horn with the boss

and l'm gonna handle things here!

Now keep this line open !

They're gonna have to make a course correction or hit the mountains.

l want Al Murdock on this. Try his apartment.

Now, listen, how much time do you estimate

before a course correction is needed?

Ouch.

All right, hang on.

Have them get Exec One ready. We're gonna take the Lear to Salt Lake.

All right, I understand. Now, we're getting Al Murdock on this.

He was our chief instructor pilot on 747s for four years.

l'll get back to you.

Bill?

lt's ringing.

(SlGHS) Look, you know you're gonna have to handle the news people on this.

Later on, when the story breaks,

there's gonna be relatives and there's gonna be friends, too.

Won't the directors want you to handle that?

My wife and son are up there on that airplane. l'm going to Salt Lake City.

l'm sorry, Joe.

How the hell are we gonna get that aircraft down?

Damn it, I don't know! That plane can do almost anything.

And Al Murdock knows more about flyin' it than anybody.

Now, where the hell is he? No answer.

Wait a second ! He was going out to meet 409. Try the V. l. P. lounge.

Yeah.

How's it flying now?

lt's on autopilot.

How much damage was there?

Not a great deal.

There's just a big hole in it where the pilots usually sit!

(BUZZES)

Yeah?

Right. Exec One is ready when you are.

All right.

And they're paging Murdock.

Tell him to get his ass out to Exec One.

WOMAN ON P.A. : Al Murdock, emergency call.

Al Murdock.

Alan Murdock.

Al, it's Bill.

What's up? They said it was an emergency.

lt is.

My God.

Yeah. You sure it's 409?

Yeah, I understand. l'm. . . l'm on my way.

l'm so frightened. What has happened? Why won't you tell us?

Ma'am, we'll let you know as soon as we know ourselves.

There's nothing. . . Miss!

What's the matter, Mr. Rogers?

Where are the oxygen masks?

We're below 14,000 feet. You don't need them.

Everything will be fine, really.

What about the mountains? We're flying into the mountains.

Everything will be just fine. Now, sit back and relax. We'll be okay.

Can I help?

Mother? Mother?

lt'll be okay.

(lNAUDlBLE)

Darling, l'm gonna go and see if I can help,

but I want you to stay right in your seat.

Do you want me to come with you? No.

And Mom, remember, the 747's the best aircraft ever made.

Remember, it can almost fly by itself. Dad calls it the big pussycat.

l remember.

ALAN: (OVER RADlO) Nancy, this is Al, honey.

We're in Exec One on the way to Salt Lake.

We've cleared this frequency. Do you read me?

NANCY: Yes, I read you.

ALAN: Fine.

We don't have too much time.

l want you to sit in the pilot's seat

and do exactly what I tell you.

O. . . Okay.

Ready.

Now, look at the instrument panel.

The altimeter is marked A-L-T.

l know that.

What does it read, honey?

Twelve thousand feet.

Fine. The airspeed indicator is to the left.

l know that too. lt's 192.

Okay, honey, take it easy. Now I want you to find the autopilot.

Look to your right

at the top of the panel just below the windshield.

There's a switch marked "autopilot."

lt says "command," "manual" and "off."

l see it. Don't touch it.

ls it in manual?

lt's on manual. lt's on.

l don't hear you, honey. Nancy, press your mike button.

Yes.

Fine. Now, we don't have anything to worry about.

We're just gonna help the autopilot make a turn.

Do exactly what I tell you.

Put your hand to the right of the console.

The what?

The flat panel just below the throttles.

There's a gray knob about the size of a milk bottle top.

l see it.

Okay. Now slowly turn it to the right.

Nothing's happening.

Okay, honey, try it to the left slowly.

NANCY: lt's not working. There's nothing happening.

lt's not turning the plane.

Jesus, it's not working for turns.

Can't you tell us what's happening up there?

They want us to change course just like I told you. lt's a very simple thing.

There is a pilot on the radio telling her what to do,

telling her exactly how to do it.

Pardon me. What "her"?

The first stewardess is at the controls.

But she is in constant touch with the tower.

You mean, the stewardess is flying the plane?

Please keep your voice down. Sure.

The stewardess is flying the plane.

The stewardess is. . . Thank you, Mrs. Devaney, but I don't drink.

What difference does it make now?

You're right.

No difference.

Alan?

l'm scared.

You're doing just fine, honey.

There's a problem with the autopilot.

lt'll keep you straight and level,

but l'm gonna have to help you make the turns yourself.

l'm going to turn the plane?

No sweat.

Put both hands on the wheel.

There's a button under your left thumb. Press it.

(ALARM BUZZlNG)

What's that?

Don't worry. That's just an alarm. Press it again.

(ALARM STOPS)

Okay.

All right, honey, now you've got the airplane.

Just hold it steady until I tell you.

l want you to find the artificial horizon on the instrument panel.

That's the little airplane with the horizontal line through it.

Alan?

l can't do this.

Why not? You can do it, Nancy!

Nancy, come in!

Goddamn it, answer!

Okay. Okay, l'm gonna try it.

(SlGHS)

You scared the hell outta me, honey.

What do you think I am?

Okay. What's your altimeter read, Nancy?

11,500 feet.

That's good. All right now.

Turn to the right.

Turn the wheel to the right slow and easy.

NANCY: Turning.

Good. Read me your airspeed.

lt's going down.

lt's only 184.

lt's still all right. Just keep turning.

183. . . 182.

She's climbing in the turn. Get her nose down or she's gonna stall.

Not till she finishes the turn.

What's your airspeed now?

180. lt's on 180.

All right. Now, turn the wheel to the left again till it comes level.

ALAN: Now ease the wheel forward just a little.

Watch the little airplane in the instrument.

Don't let it fall below the line.

Wings on the horizontal line.

All right.

Okay.

Let the autopilot take it back now.

Turn the switch in the top panel back to manual.

Take your hands off the wheel.

ls the airplane level?

NANCY: Yes.

Good job, honey.

You take a rest now.

We're almost to Salt Lake.

We got a big problem. Look here.

There's Salt Lake City and there's 409.

Look at the terrain in between.

There is no way we can talk Nancy through those mountains

and down through a safe landing.

lt's just too much for her.

The only way is to put a pilot into 409.

You mean a midair transfer?

A jet helicopter is fast enough to keep up.

We can put a man out on a tether.

Do you know what it would be to put a man through that hole?

Goddamn it! There isn't any other way!

l think he's right. The only question is who?

Me. No, Al, you're too damn big.

What the hell you gonna do? Go shopping for somebody?

Right!

l'll call Hill Air Force Base. They're the experts.

You mean to tell me you're going to try

to transfer a pilot into a 747 in flight?

That's right. We need your cooperation

and the fastest helicopter you've got.

Now, wait a minute.

You intend to put one of our men on an umbilical?

That's it!

How's he going to get inside?

The way the stewardess described the hole

torn on the flight deck, it's big enough.

lf you'll excuse me, sir l think it's one hell of a stupid idea.

That's all we've got, Lieutenant!

Now, what have you got to help us?

There's only one man who's ever done anything like this.

A Major John Alexander.

He's in air rescue. l can try to contact him.

You know how urgent. . . Who is your commanding officer?

Uh. . . Colonel Moss, sir.

Thank you. This is Exec One out.

(SlGHS) Now the question is, can we get there in time?

RADlO: Columbia 409, Salt Lake Approach.

We need another instrument reading, Nancy.

Come in, Columbia 409.

Nancy, come in, please. Come in, Nancy.

PlLOT: Salt Lake Approach, air force T37-Sage 14,

approaching Columbia 747.

The aircraft is in level flight.

The flaps are 10 degrees since the collision

occurred during descent into Salt Lake.

Look, Mom, there's another airplane out there.

Where?

Right out there!

Oh, my God, there is.

An air force jet.

PlLOT: Jesus Christ, you can't believe this!

There's a big hole on the starboard side of the flight deck.

Doesn't look like there's any other damage to the aircraft.

All four engines seem to be running.

Hard to tell how much instrument damage.

lt looks like most of it's near the engineer's panel.

Front part looks okay.

He's probably checking the damage.

l'll bet he's gonna help us.

He is!

Can you see the fighter now, Nancy? lt should be on your right.

Yes, I see it.

He's gonna look you over and report the damage. Stand by.

Nancy, the executive plane is landing here now.

We're gonna have some help up to you real soon.

Good.

Do you really think they can do anything?

l know they'll do everything that can be done.

You betcha! My dad runs the airlines.

JOSEPH: Well, almost.

What does he mean about "running" this airline?

My husband is vice president of operations.

Ha. Some operations!

PlLOT: Uh-oh.

There's a little crease on the inboard section of the starboard wing.

l see some fuel coming off the trailing edge.

Man, if this had happened at 20,000 feet, forget it.

Plot a rendezvous point. Have the 47 make a 180 and bring her back.

We'll have to. We've gotta make sure she holds altitude.

Col. Moss is on his way from Hill Air Base.

What's the fuel situation?

There's enough, but we do have a complication.

The air force sent up a fighter to look things over.

He says there's a fuel leak on the right wing.

Oh, damn !

That Nancy's some woman.

She better be.

How much do you think we can ask of her?

There's a call for you, Mr. Patroni.

Everything, I guess.

Yeah?

Your information is correct, Mr. Purcell,

but we're clearing everything out of our Los Angeles office.

You can understand that our concern here

is for the safety of those people. Excuse me.

Who's that? A guy named Purcell.

Owns a local TV station. He's sending a remote unit out.

What the hell does he want to photograph? We don't have any bodies yet!

Take it easy, damn it.

We're gonna need all the good press we can get.

Now let's go find that colonel

and get that rendezvous course plotted and on the boards.

Oh, my jewel case.

lt's bombproofed. The insurance people insisted upon it.

Oh, my idea of heaven is never to have to pack or unpack.

Why didn't I think of that before?

Here.

Here. You know what?

To hell with the jewelry. Let's put my book in here.

Thank you.

Here you are, my darlings. lt's all yours.

l never wanted to have the damn thing published while I was alive, anyway!

Colonel, is this thing gonna work?

lt's gonna be like trying to put a raw egg back in its shell.

Your pilot confirmed what the stewardess told us.

The hole looks like it's big enough.

lt's a hell of a risk, a long shot! l gotta tell you that.

lt's the only shot we got! How long before that helicopter gets here?

About 10 minutes. lt's refueling right now.

Mean time I gotta clear with Washington.

All right, make it fast.

Do we have any morphine in the first-aid kit?

No. l'm sure we have some sedatives.

No.

Help.

Yes, we'll help you.

lt'll put you to sleep.

No!

Maybe. . .

Help.

l understand. He wants to stay conscious

in case he can help us later on.

RADlO: Salt Lake Approach. Do you read me, Nancy?

This is Nancy. Go ahead.

ln a little while, we're gonna take you through

a 180 degree turn like we did before.

Captain Murdock will talk you through it. No sweat, okay?

l'm not looking forward to it.

Just hang in there, Nancy. You'll do fine.

You're doing great, honey.

We want you to look at the flight engineer's panel

in the center just above the desk.

Tell us what the third fuel used gauge reads. Over.

Uh. . .

Twenty two thousand, 500 pounds. Why, is something wrong?

No. We just want to keep track of the rate of fuel flow.

We're not running low, are we?

No chance.

There's always an extra amount just in case.

Besides that, the captain always adds a few thousand pounds

for his wife, kids, his mother, even his mother-in-law.

Nancy. Come in, Nancy.

Hello, this is Nancy. Can you hear me?

Come in, 409. Nancy, do you read me?

Flight 409 calling Salt Lake.

Nancy! Come in, 409!

This is flight 409 calling Salt Lake. Come in.

Columbia 409 calling Salt Lake.

lt just went out.

l'll try it.

Columbia 409. Do you read, Nancy?

Come in. Come in !

This is flight 409 calling Salt Lake. Come in.

l've got her. What's the frequency?

125.4.

This is Salt Lake. 409, come in. Can you read me?

Yes, thank God !

What happened?

A piece of wreckage fell onto the radio panel.

Don't change anything. Just stand by.

Standing. . .

Standing by.

Nancy?

Are you all right?

Yeah, l'm all right.

How is it down there?

lt's better.

The sight of another plane kinda perked everybody up.

Look at this.

What is it?

l don't know.

lt looks like it's cracked.

What is it? What's the matter?

There's some fluid coming out of the wing.

Did you hear that? There's some gas coming out of the wing.

Didn't I tell you before I don't want to hear that?

l don't want to hear it!

He doesn't want to hear it. Oh, wow.

What the hell is all of that?

That'll be Mr. Purcell. TV has arrived.

He knows everybody in town. He'll get clearance to come up here.

Leave her alone!

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTlNG)

You just sit here. l'll be back in a minute, Mrs. Freeman.

And don't worry!

Mr. Patroni? Yeah.

Glenn Purcell, KSL-TV.

Now I know how busy you must be,

but we're going on a special nationwide network hook-up.

l'm sorry, l'm busy.

Sir, this happens to be a very big story.

We have Mrs. Freeman downstairs

and I thought the two of you together. . .

Who's Mrs. Freeman?

You know, the private pilot that went down. She is his wife.

What the hell's she doing here?

Trying to locate her husband. Have they found him yet?

Mr. Purcell, we don't know.

The highway patrol was alerted at the time of the collision.

Why don't you go talk to them?

You mean you haven't bothered to find out?

No, because we're too busy trying to save the 120 that are up there!

Why don't you just let us get on with our job?

lt seems to me it would be good public relations to talk with her.

l mean, it was your plane that killed him, wasn't it?

Listen, you son of a bitch !

Take it easy! Joe!

Take it easy you said. Right?

Al, you know, sometimes the public's right to know

gives me a huge pain in the ass.

We've got a problem, Mr. Patroni.

Yeah?

We may lose radio contact. We can barely read her.

And she's having the same trouble.

What about another frequency?

l'm afraid to let her try.

We might lose what we have.

We gotta get started, Joe. Now.

409, 409, this is Joe Patroni. How do you read me, Nancy?

Not very well, Mr. Patroni.

How about now?

l can barely read you, Mr. Patroni.

Nancy, is that my husband?

Yes.

Let me talk to him.

Joe!

Joe, this is Helen. Can you hear me?

Yeah.

You're all doing a great job, honey. We're proud of you.

We're doing everything that we can here, and we're almost ready.

We. . . We have faith in you.

Ah, how is the captain?

ln pain.

Well, he's a good man.

How. . . (CLEARS THROAT)

How's Joe, Jr.?

He's fine!

We love you !

PURCELL: Ladies and gentlemen,

tension is thick here at Salt Lake City Airport.

Just arriving is the air force helicopter.

Major John Alexander will make a dramatic attempt

to rescue 120 persons trapped aboard

a giant jetliner without pilot and without crew.

And tragedy within tragedy, one of them, a young girl dying,

unless she's delivered to Los Angeles soon

for a kidney transplant operation.

Major Alexander has volunteered to make this daring attempt.

He will be lowered on a line from the air force helicopter,

and try to crawl through the hole

torn into the body of the jumbo jetliner.

Here they are now.

What a moment this is.

This is KSL-TV. Would you. . .

We want to. . .

ALAN: All right. We're ready here, Nancy.

Remember, I'll tell you everything you have to do.

You can do it.

l can't hear you very well.

Take it easy, honey. Very slow.

Are you ready?

Ready.

All right. We're going to turn you around to a new heading,

260 degrees.

We don't want you to lose altitude,

so we'll do it very slow and easy.

Now first you have to turn off the autopilot.

Put both hands on the wheel.

There's a button under your left thumb.

Press it.

There now, honey, you've got the airplane.

Now, read me your compass heading.

Compass?

Okay. The arrow is on the "S."

Okay. Look at the numbers.

We're gonna turn until it reads 260 degrees.

Are you ready?

Ready.

Turn the wheel to the right.

Easy now. Not too much.

You're doing fine, honey! Just watch the little plane in the horizon.

l'm watching.

Now, read me the altimeter.

8,000 feet. Eight.

Read it again, honey. Read it as it changes.

Seven-nine. Seven-eight.

She's gotta get that altitude back.

She's only got 1,500 feet to play with.

Keep turning just the way you're doing, honey,

but at the same time ease the wheel back

until you see the little plane lift up a bit.

Nancy, have you done that?

Yes, I think so.

What's your airspeed?

One-eight. . . 188.

188. Do you read me?

l read you fine, honey.

Now, what's your heading? Your compass heading?

240, 2-4-0.

There's a 13,000-foot mountain right in front of her.

ALAN: Read me that again, Nancy.

That's 255, 2-5-5.

All right. Ease the wheel to the left now, Nancy.

To the left a little.

Nice and slow. Not too much.

Tell me what's happening, Nancy.

Press your mike button, honey.

NANCY: We're turning back.

The little airplane is tilting to the left, l mean back.

ALAN: All right, that's fine. Bring it back to level.

Watch the little airplane.

All right, level now.

What's the airspeed now? The airspeed, read it to me.

180.

Now the altimeter.

lt's just over 10,000 feet.

She's still too low.

Let George take it back now, Nancy.

Put it back on autopilot.

You're doing just great, honey.

That helicopter's ready, gentlemen.

The helicopter's ready. We're going to be taking off now.

We'll be with you in a little while.

She's gonna have to have more altitude

or she's gonna take the tops right off those mountains.

lt's going to be tight if we're gonna make that rendezvous.

You want to take it, Joe?

l'm going with you, Al.

DANTON: I can do it.

Her altitude's critical. For God's sake, watch it!

We've been damn lucky so far. Let's not push it.

Try not to rattle her.

DANTON: All right now, Nancy, we're gonna watch your altitude.

And all of you across the nation are seeing it as it happens.

The rescue team is going to the helicopter now.

Gentlemen. . .

Gentlemen, may l have a few words?

How do you propose to slow the jet down?

Nancy?

l'm scared !

l am too.

(SCREAMS)

Nancy, look!

Nancy? Are you all right?

Nancy, what happened?

Salt Lake, this is Columbia 409.

Come in.

Salt Lake, this is Columbia 409. Come in.

409, this is Salt Lake. Do you read me?

Come in, 409. This is Salt Lake. Do you read?

409. Come in please.

What's wrong?

l don't hear anybody.

The frequencies.

Salt Lake, come in.

Nancy, come in. Do you read me?

Salt Lake, come in please.

Goddamn it, we've lost her.

Why don't we have that air force jet

try his frequency again just in case?

Even if we can't hear her, there's a chance she can hear us.

l'm gonna talk her through her climb just on the assumption she can.

409, do you read?

They found the small plane. lt exploded on impact.

The radio's dead.

We're all alone now, Bette.

The winch will hold your position, okay?

You got it, sir?

Got it.

You'll find you can control lateral movement somewhat.

Using the wind pressure against my body.

You'll have to signal us for in-and-out movement.

l must've made 20 drops in Nam, sir.

But what you're gonna do scares the hell out of me.

Me too.

Nancy.

Oh, my God !

Bette, we're too low!

What are you supposed to do?

l don't know.

l know they worried about airspeed.

Now. . .

lf we climb,

the airspeed drops.

l could stall us out.

The captain !

He said he could help us!

BETTE: Do you understand me, Captain?

Thrust levers.

Thrust levers. What about them?

Forward, an inch.

All right. Anything else?

(GASPlNG) 190. Hold.

1 -9-0. . .

Airspeed.

l've done a few screwy things in this outfit,

but this'll be a first, huh, Gage?

She'll handle a lot like that 707 tanker you're used to flying.

But just remember, once you get her on the ground,

you're still three stories in the air.

l'll let you know if it's true about

not being able to make a bad landing in a 747.

Control reports 409 has lost radio contact.

Altitude. What about the altitude?

Had they made corrections?

Negative.

What's our ETA at rendezvous?

Few minutes.

They haven't got a few minutes!

ALEXANDER: We oughta be able to see her soon.

Probably be below us. Be harder to see.

MOSS: Two minutes to ETA.

She's gotta be out there somewhere.

There she is.

She's flying it! She's flying it herself!

Climb, baby. Climb.

The mountains. We're so close!

Ready, sir?

l'll see you in Salt Lake.

Lower away.

Ease him down just a little. Steady.

(SCREAMS)

Dear God, he fell !

Good God almighty.

Oh, God.

Get me in one of those jump suits. But, sir. . .

Get the suit, damn it!

You're not gonna do it, Al.

Who's gonna stop me? l am !

You got anybody else up here who knows how to fly that bloody plane?

This is just plain suicide, sir.

We can't even let you wear a chute.

lt might deploy and pull you up into the blades.

She's falling off.

Tell the chopper.

This the tether release?

Yes, sir.

She's losing altitude.

Get me outta here before I change my mind.

Yeah ! Yeah !

He made it! The pilot's on the plane!

(CHEERlNG)

MAN: Salt Lake Approach.

Pilot is now aboard Columbia 747.

Aircraft flying straight and level.

Your hand. l'll get you something.

Damn ! That's all we need.

What is it?

Number three engine's running awful hot. l'm gonna shut it down.

You tell the passengers. Tell 'em it's just a precaution.

Okay. Tell 'em, baby.

(CHEERS AND WHlSTLES)

Please, may I have your attention?

Captain Murdock is now aboard, and is flying this plane.

Thank you.

He wants me to tell you that everything is under control.

However, he wants me also to tell you

that he will have to shut down one of the engines

which seems to be running a little roughly.

We're gonna die!

But there is nothing to be alarmed about.

Nothing.

Where are you goin', Arnie? Arnie, where are you goin'?

Arnie! Arnie, come back. Leave them alone up there.

Look, is everything all right?

l mean, there is a pilot on board, right?

Yes, sir, there is.

l gotta tell him something, 'cause I just saw something out there.

Wait! You can't go up there. Please, sir. You're not allowed up there.

Please, sir, don't go up there. l don't want you to go. . .

What's going on? The gas is leaking.

l saw it out there. lt's leaking out of the wing.

We've got plenty of fuel in the other tanks.

There's nothing to worry about.

Why don't you go back and sit down?

What about fire? lt might explode.

There's no danger!

ARNlE: My God !

You get him the hell outta here!

Please, sir, we know about the fuel. Now, it's being handled.

lt's all right. We're handling it, okay?

Now go and sit down and relax. lt's fine. l'll get you a drink.

Shh !

Will you look at this?

The collision wiped out so many instruments,

l can't tell what's working and what isn't.

Alan, we are going to be able to land, aren't we?

You tell me, honey.

l don't know if I can get the landing gear down.

lf it does come down, l can't tell if it's locked into position.

Well, nothing I can do about it, I guess.

How's Stacy?

Not good.

Radio too?

The radio's dead. l've tried every channel.

Well, here we go.

Let's see if you can land one of these things by the seat of your pants.

PATRONl: How long before we land?

MOSS: Two minutes.

Salt Lake, this is Patroni. We're on our way down.

We're gonna need ambulances for the girl and the injured crew.

Hit the red button. l want the field cleared !

Go have the passengers fasten their seat belts, honey.

Tell the girls to hang on.

Go do your thing, baby.

Are we okay? Have you heard anything?

Nothing.

Let's get back to work. Prepare for landing.

Remember the intercom systems aren't working.

Honey, we'll have to stow this for landing.

l'll take good care of it.

(HONKlNG)

Buckle yourself in.

ALAN: They're down, baby. Just hope they're locked.

Almost home.

Are we landing?

Yes, Janice.

l knew we'd be all right.

Nancy?

Yes?

l love you.

Over the fence.

(SQUEALlNG TlRES)

Damn !

What's the matter? Brake pressure's dropping.

l don't know if we've got enough left to stop this thing.

Jesus! This mother's got 10 backup systems too.

He can't stop her!

(SQUEALlNG TlRES)

Hang on.

(SlGHS)

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for flying Columbia Airlines.

Unfasten seat belts. Come on. Let's go out this way!

What, are we here already?

Are we here already? No! We're still in Washington.

What's going on?

Move, move, move, move.

The ambulance is waiting to take you to the hospital.

They have a kidney, and they're ready for the transplant.

All right. Get in there!

No, Miss Swanson, no. You can't take that with you.

You'll get it later. Jump! Jump!

Let's go. Get outta here!

l really was in that picture.

Remember when the kids walked. . .

Ran into. . . The hamburger shop?

l was the short-order cook.

No, I don't remember that.

Well l, l. . . One of the hamburgers hit me on the head.

Don't you remember?

l'll show you the scar. l believe you.

That's a big pussycat, dad !

No, it's a tomcat.

Oh, it's so beautiful !

Every morning is beautiful. You're just too young to know.