Part 2/10:
The Boeing 737-800, an aircraft renowned for its excellent safety record, had only been in service for eight months. The crew consisted of a highly experienced captain and a considerably less seasoned first officer. The captain, a 44-year-old Belgian citizen, boasted nearly 10,000 flight hours, with 6,000 involving the 737 model. In contrast, the first officer was just 23 years old and had been with Ryanair for only six months, accumulating 600 total flight hours, of which 400 were on the 737.
The flight proceeded routinely until the descent into Ciampino commenced at around 7:20 AM local time. The weather was optimal, and the crew prepared for a standard landing procedure.