THE PHILIPPINES: Routine Flight

Among the seven passengers on the Philippines Air Lines DC-3 that morning was a young Chinese in a leopard-skin jacket. As the plane took off from north Luzon's Laoag Ilocos Norte airport, on the coast of the South China Sea, the passengers settled down for the routine half-hour flight to Aparri. Suddenly the plane lurched into a 45° bank. Purser Eduardo Diago came down the aisle reassuring passengers: "That was a terrific downdraft." He tried the handle of the pilot's cabin, tried again, and began hammering on the door. Then the passengers saw him slump to the floor, blood...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!