What follows is a transcript of the last ~20 minutes of the transmissions between Rich, an unnamed controller, and a pilot named “Captain Bill”:
1/23
ATC: Turn back around so we can stay in contact.
2/23
3/23
Rich: Man, have you been to the Olympics [referring to the mountains], these guys are gorgeous. Holy smokes.
ATC: Yeah, I have been out there. It’s…it’s always a nice drive.
[…]
Rich: [beginning clipped, unintelligible]
ATC: Yeah, I bet you do.
4/23
5/23
[…]
Rich: I’m gonna land it…um, like, uh…in a safe…safe kind of manner.
6/23
ATC: Well, Rich, before you do that…uh…let’s think about this. I got another…uh…pilot comin’ up…
7/23
[…]
8/23
(May be referring to the portion of the display showing the plane’s programmed heading)
[…]
9/23
I’m gonna have this moment of serenity, you know…be able to take all…take in all the sights…
10/23
[…]
ATC: [cut off] …the right-hand side, uh, above ya, on the right-hand side air conditioning panel, you’ll see…uh…it’s a big panel…
11/23
(May be referring to switches controlling “bleed air” to keep cabin pressurized)
12/23
Rich: [cut off] …don’t know where I’ve been at this whole time.
ATC: Okay, Rich, thank you.
Rich: Twenty-five hundred to be exact.
(May be referring to fuel burn rate; lbs/hr consumed?)
ATC: Thank you. And, do you have an idea how much fuel you have left?
13/23
[…]
Rich: I’m…gonna do this barrel roll real quick.
14/23
[…]
Rich: I wouldn’t mind just shootin’ the shit with you guys, but it’s all business, you know?
[…]
15/23
[…]
16/23
[…]
Unknown voice: …could be a hero if he pulled off the landing…
[…]
17/23
Cpt. Bill: Alright Rich, this is Captain Bill, congratulations, you…uh…did that, now let’s…uh…let’s try to land that airplane safely, and not hurt anybody on the ground.
18/23
(Rich’s voice is very distraught here, rising in pitch, volume, and intensity. He doesn’t want to survive this night.)
[…]
19/23
Cpt. Bill: Okay, Rich, if you could…uh…you just wanna keep that plane right over the water, maybe keep the aircraft nice and low.
20/23
21/23
If you have a pain that hurts to carry, PLEASE stop right now, and talk to someone. Anyone. Lay down your burdens.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
📞 800-273-8255
Trevor Project (LGBTQ crisis)
📞 866-488-7386
22/23
Suicide is not a joke…not a punchline. It’s a devastating loss.
Be good to you.
23/23
It’s a line very few of us can say we’re able to balance with such grace under pressure.
PS/23/end
I respectfully request that anyone replying refrain from identifying Rich.
…
As well, I will warn you: self-professed vigilantes *may* soon (if they haven't already) "dox" Rich using public records information cross-checked with personal info they found on a blog.
The records they'll find are not those of this man, but someone several years older.
"I've played some video games before. I would like to figure out how to get this…make it pressurized or something so I'm not lightheaded."
There are two things of note:
…
First: He was feeling lightheaded, and was likely hypoxic (oxygen deprived). Once you're above 7,500 ft or so, hypoxia can occur.
Its symptoms include nausea (Rich had reported vomiting earlier in his flight), lightheadedness, and behavioral changes (such as mania).
…
Aircraft have controls—which ATC directs him to adjust later, as seen in the portion I transcribed earlier—to "bleed air" from around the engines and direct it into the cabin to increase the pressure and, therefore, the available oxygen.
Second, the video game comment:
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Many video game enthusiasts can attest—especially those who have played flying games, and understand "inverted Y-axis"—it's not so hard to believe that you can fly a plane. Usually, rational thought kicks in, and you realize there's a lot more to it.
…
As it appears, Rich was in the throes of a depressive episode.
Depression *lies* to you.
He possessed enough basic flight knowledge to take off, and even (apparently) use rudder controls along with the steering yolk to make coordinated turns ("stepping on the ball"),
…
but he did not seem to possess the detailed knowledge of someone who has had a great deal of formal training, or even consumer-level simulator experience. His belief in his abilities—and his mental state–was likely magnified by the effects of acute hypoxia.
Since this thread was posted, it's been retweeted and quote-tweeted by conscientious and empathetic humans from ALL points on the political spectrum.
…
It is rare to see such a thing these days on social media. It gives me hope that there are certain ideals or mores that don't have to act as stark dividing lines between the parties.
In tragedy, we all seek understanding. Meaning. Comfort.
All of us.
Red and blue.
❤️💙