Transcript, Reel #4: communications with NWA Flight 305, 5:59 P.M. to 6:59 P.M. PST

1 . Time Period: 5:59 P.M. to 6:59 P.M. PST

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This is re-recording Reel #4. The following is a transcribed copy of the original recording of communications with Northwest Airlines Flight 305. This transcription covers the period from approximately 0159 Greenwich, November 24, 1971 to approximately 0259 Greenwich, November 24, 1971. This is [REDACTED] b6 per FAA [REDACTED] supervising the b7C per FAA reproduction and I certify this is a true copy of the original recording. The following conversation is between Northwest Airlines Flight 305 and the Seattle-Tacoma Tower ground radar position with other conversations recorded at the ground radar position during this period of time.

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Ground Control (GC): Ground Control - Flight 305 this is [REDACTED] b6 per FAA Pilot (P): Right [REDACTED] b7C per FAA

(GC): You take and call gate 319 in our company and tell them to get two more fuel trucks out here. (P): Yeh, we're working on it. They've been alerted to it. We have one more request, we ask those passengers to bo back on the taxi strip and clear the runway. There's no reason for them to be standing there. They're only going to create confusion and some apprehension so please direct those passengers to move back about 200 yards onto the common taxiway please. (GC): Roger. (P): No, we want them to go the other direction - the other direction! Advise them right now -- the other direction, behind the automobile.

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(GC): 305 ground, are you free to listen?

(P): Affirmative, go ahead. Go ahead ground, 305 listening.

(GC): I didn't think you were getting the message. .305 request after you depart when the passenger or person bails out squak 77 emergency for 30 seconds then flash your landing lights at the time he bails.

(P): Okay, after he bails you want 7700 and flash the land- ing lights 30 seconds after?

(GC): No, no. Squak 7700 for 30 seconds and blink at the time he goes out. Blink everything you've got.

(P): Okay, I understand. You want me to squak emergency 7700 for 30 seconds after he goes out along with flashing the lights, is that correct?

(GC): That's correct. Thank-you.

(P): Thank-you; we'll try it.

(GC): Okay, we'll keep an eye open.

(GC): [redacted] for one b6 per FAA b7C per FAA (GC): Yeh, ground

(GC): [redacted] for one, roger

(GC): Do you have the request that he wanted two more fuel trucks over here as fast as he can get them.

(GC): I understand they're already on the way.

(GC): Okay, [redacted] and you've got people on that runway and now the ground control.

(GC): We commute any of the passengers they want back over towards the runway. We need to know if there's any individual on that runway who were using it for jet traveling.

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(GC): No, no. They're on the taxiway right off on the left side of this end of one six. (P): Okay, real good. Do you mind telling them all to stay off that runway because we're going to have jets taking off and landing. (GC): Yes sir. (P): Ground from 305 (GC): 305 go ahead. (P): Okay is this the other fuel truck now with the flash- ing headlights. (GC): Just a minute (GC): No there's a school bus running around there with flashing amber lights (P): They're probably over by the Alaska hangar with flashing amber lights, you better, probably better alert him and get those things off (GC) AL to Two will you hit the button and tell him to turn off the blinking lights. (P): AL put your (UNINTEL) (GC): Ground 305 do you have the money on board (P): Say it again. (GC): Do you have the money on board? (P): Affirm. (GC): Then advise when you get the parachutes and everything up. (P): I'll keep you posted.

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(GC): 305 as long as you're free to talk, can you give me any more information and type of device or anything about it that you can talk now, when you can talk freely. (P): Ground stand by. (GC): Still holding on. (P): Ground we want to emphasize again that any vehicles that come out approach slowly; we don't want any vehicles, first of all, unless we request them; but we want this one fuel, second fuel truck and a third one to stand by as a reserve, but he doesn't have to, the third one does not have to be out here. But, under any circumstances we don't want any flashing lights of any sort, only those necessary to get them out here. (GC): Roger. (GC): This is [redacted] again. (P): Yes, [redacted] (GC): Yeh, the fuel truck should be on the way and you only want one out here and then the other one to stand by, by the people, is that okay with you? (P): That's okay. We're having a problem you understand with this truck over here. He's got a vaper lock or something and we are not taking fuel on board. (GC): Yeh, well okay, we'll get this other truck out here as soon as possible. (P): Okay. (GC): Did you say you wanted us to turn off our rotating beacon too? (P): [redacted] I think those people could still move back. We've

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b6 per FAA b7C per FAA

b6 per FAA b7C per FAA

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(P): been able to confirm he, according to the stewardess that has been with him, she saw red (UNINTEL) dynamite sticks and the battery and wires in his briefcase so if this thing goes, those people are far too close for, okay shouldn't they really get back out there a few yards or so. (GC): Would you ask him if we could get a bus out here to get these people out of here. How does that sound? (P): Yeh, as soon as we get a chance to make contact with him. He's writing down his instructions right now. (GC): (UNINTEL) well I'll move them back some more then but I don't want to get them too flustered (UNINTEL) over there (UNINTEL) (P): We understand but I tell you what to do if you'd like you could move your vehicle back. He's on the other side of the aircraft and he's not watching anything but if you want to move your vehicle back with the people, that would be alright and is the man who operates the stairs still on the truck? (GC) Yes sir. Are you going to let those girls out? (P): Well that's what we're working on now. What we're trying to figure out is someway that we can get everybody up here and down those stairs and we're kept still on the backend. (GC): Well how many girls you got trained? (P): A good bunch. (GC): That one that came down here, she's pretty sharp; get her and then make a mass exodus and leave this parachutist go. (P): Right now that's our (GC): He's just hanging out there on the edge

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(P): That's why we want everybody back here (GC): Do you want a ride (P): So that we're the last ones to go if the situation arises, bail themselves (GC): Seattle-Tacoma Tower now for one - stand by fuel truck just crossed in front of Northwest hangar. (GC): Alpha 2 go on. (GC): Stand by (P): Go ahead ground. (GC): Can you check over here AL at 2 gate and see how long that fuel truck's going to take and give me a time on it. (GC): Okay, ten-four. (P): Well we'd like to park right in front of you there (GC): Alpha 2 ground (GC): Yeh, what did he say now (P): (?) He was giving instructions there. He was talking about Mexico City. He isn't watching those people and then when we can get them away from the airplane that would give us a chance if we have to, if we can't get this thing fueled, we're all going to have to make a run for it so could you get those people over on the other side of the runway, then I think that he wouldn't notice anybody picking them up, over on the other side of the west runway. (GC): (UNINTEL) the girls, are they in the cabin yet? (GC) (?): No we're kind of getting them the word (UNINTEL) (P) (?): We're closing this out so this thing is 3500 feet of the runway. South 35 is closed.

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