Part 3/8:
This particular Boeing 737, manufactured in 1994, had a long history of intermittent technical issues—over 60 incidents related to the auto-throttle system. Despite these recurring problems, they had never resulted in a catastrophic failure, creating a dangerous sense of complacency.
As the crew prepared for takeoff, rainstorms surrounded the aircraft. Knowing this was a routine occurrence for early January in Jakarta, they believed they were adequately prepared. At 2:36 PM, Flight 182 began its ascent. The autopilot was engaged, allowing the crew to monitor instruments rather than actively fly the plane.