ATC and Flight Recorder Transcripts Released

Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Transportation Safety Board (NASB) today released excerpts from both the air traffic controllers and the voice recorders of the Northwestern Airlines flight that overshot its intended Minneapolis destination by 150 miles before re-establishing contact with controllers and landing safely:

San Diego: Northwest 188 you are cleared to ascend to thirty seven thousand on a course of two niner zero. Contact Denver air traffic control at 531.2

Northwest: Northwest 188. Roger, ascend to thirty seven thousand on a course of two niner zero. Will contact Denver air traffic control at 531.2.

(time lapse)

Voice Recorder: Tim, do you see something odd at 2 o'clock at about forty two thousand?

I don't see it, Dick.

Tim, there it is, now its at ten o'clock... at our flight level. Can't you see it?

Now I see it, what the fuck is it?

(laughing) Its probably just the kid in the balloon.

Christ! Its coming right at us. Its not an airplane... its coming right at us.

(extended voice recorder silence)

Denver: Northwest 188. Please reply.

Denver: Northwest 188. Please reply.

Denver: Northwest 188. Please acknowledge by changing your transponder frequency to squawk two seven zero.

Denver: NORAD this is Denver ATC. We have lost radio contact with Northwest 188 en route from San Diego to Minneapolis. It is currently squawking a frequency of two fiver zero on its transponder and failed to change to two seven zero.

NORAD: Roger, Denver ATC. We see Flight 188 on radar but have no aircraft in its vicinity currently but will standby if necessary.

(time lapse)

VOICE RECORDER: Tim, wake up! Tim! Tim!

Jeeze, I feel odd, my head is swimming, like I had too much weed.

What time is it, Dick? Where the hell are we?

The last I knew we were just south of Vegas. GPS says we are over Wisconsin - how can that be? Did I fall asleep?

This is strange - the last thing I remember was some unknown aircraft coming towards us....Goddam that Cialis...I still have a boner and its been more than four hours. I can't call my doctor, now, can I?

We have bigger problems than your boner. Lets get this mother turned around and figure out what the hell happened.

NORTHWEST: Minneapolis Traffic Control, Northwest 188.

Minneapolis: Northwest 188.

NORTHWEST: Northwest 188. Request vector for landing ASAP.

Minneapolis: Northwest 188. Descend to twenty seven thousand on a course of two six fiver. Squawk two seven zero.

NORTHWEST: Roger, descending to twenty seven thousand on a course of two six fiver, and squawk two seven zero.

(voice recorder)

I think the shit is going to hit the fan, Tim. Don't say anything until we talk to the union lawyer.

Tell the stus to prepare for landing.

(End of transcript excerpts that were released by NSTB).