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Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the eerily silent aircraft. When the jets finally caught up to the plane, they reported alarming conditions inside: the captain’s seat was vacant, and the first officer appeared slumped over the controls. A mysterious figure seen moving inside the cockpit would later be identified as a flight attendant, Andreas Prodromou, who had a commercial pilot's license but was unqualified to operate the Boeing 737.
The Fatal Crash
As Helios Flight 522 continued its slow descent, it experienced engine failures. The aircraft turned sharply and began a final descent toward the hills northwest of Athens. At approximately 9:00 AM, in a horrifying conclusion, the plane crashed, killing all aboard.