The world of American TV series: Starting with the L.A. Patrol

The case seemed to have reached a dead end. Although the suspicion of the driver could not be completely ruled out, the background investigation showed that whether it was the captain or the co-pilot, the possibility of a suicide attack was very low.

The FBI's investigation confirmed that Captain Jerry Wehrmeyer's roommate was just an ordinary college student who was interested in airplanes simply because his major was electrical engineering.

The NTSB also obtained the psychological evaluation form of co-pilot Frank Kanforth from the airline, which confirmed that he showed no signs of recurrence of depression after he stopped taking fluoxetine.

The hospital's blood test results also showed that the first officer did not have any substance abuse problems.

Everyone could only turn their attention to Red, who had just finished drinking coffee, and Lilo Box from the NTSB next to him, hoping that their discussion would come to some conclusions.

Unfortunately, even though everyone was staring at them eagerly, their discussion showed no sign of ending yet. Since no one could understand their discussion, everyone could only go to the lounge first and enjoy the breakfast that Jack brought back.

"I think" Just when Rosie took the last sip of coffee and was about to say something, Rhett and Lillo Box, who had been having a heated discussion just now, pushed in the door.

"The black box data cracking is completed!"

As mentioned before, the data recorded in the black box is divided into two parts, flight data and cockpit recordings.

Only two people present, Rhett and Leo Box, could understand the flight data. They quickly got involved in interpreting the data, while others gathered in the conference room and listened to the cockpit recording.

Theoretically, the cockpit recording should record at least all the sounds that occurred in the cockpit within two hours before the plane crash. Of course, in fact, everyone does not need to sit there and listen for two hours.

The NTSB separately intercepted all conversations in the cockpit 20 minutes before the crash.

The captain and co-pilot did have an argument before the crash, but it was not as everyone initially speculated. One of them wanted to cause sabotage or compete for control of the plane.

First, the captain discovered that the autopilot had been accidentally turned off and questioned the co-pilot, but the co-pilot then denied it. Then the altitude of the aircraft changed, and then the slats on the wings were opened.

After a brief dispute, the two suddenly discovered that they had lost control of the aircraft. The captain immediately ordered the first officer to restart the entire system. This time coincided with the shutdown of ACARS.

"It sounds like it's haunted." Emily was very confused.

"According to what they said, the entire flight control system collapsed. Is this possible?"

"I don't know, but it sounds like this." Before Hotchner finished speaking, Rhett and Lillo Box, who had just been interpreting the data next door, opened the door and walked in.

"The sensor data and flight data don't match. This plane has been hacked!" Red said unsurprisingly.

Seeing everyone's shock, Lilo Box added.

"Three minutes before the aircraft disintegrated, there was indeed a long longitudinal turbulence. Not only were the slats opened, but the ground speed brakes were also opened, but there was no systematic report of any system or mechanical failure. All this was man-made.

There was a record of the control system restarting, but it was too late. In just a few minutes, the plane fell to an altitude of more than 10,000 feet, and the pilot could not pull the control lever at all. "

——

Half an hour later, the military commander from DHS, a black female major, appeared in the conference room and listened to everyone's reports with a shocked face.

"OK, let me summarize what you said. According to Dr. Reed and Dr. Box's study of the wreckage and aircraft structure, they rule out the possibility that the aircraft was hit by a missile or that there were explosives in the cabin.

You believe that the cause of the plane crash was a rapid dive caused by human control. The fuselage of the passenger plane could not bear the huge negative G force and disintegrated on its own before the crash.

And you ruled out the captain and co-pilot as suspects, so you came to the conclusion that someone bypassed the two pilots and took control of the plane? "

"Isn't this conclusion a bit exaggerated? Do you know what the consequences will be if this speculation is reported?"

After the black female major known as Reardon finished speaking, she looked at Hotchner and Rosie, who had the most say.

Hotchner said solemnly, "Based on the data in the black box and our investigation, this is the most reasonable explanation at present."

Seeing Major Reardon's eyes looking at him, Leo Box, who represents the NTSB here, shrugged, "Although it sounds a bit exaggerated, I am also inclined to this possibility."

As he spoke, he stood up and projected several documents from his computer onto the screen.

"These are some reports from previous years. In fact, the NTSB has been paying attention to this news."

He opened one of the documents and said, "Boeing has expressed concerns that the multimedia entertainment facilities and USB interfaces in the aircraft provide hackers with access to the aircraft, and in the past few years, some people have indeed been making such attempts.

As early as April 2013, at a hacker conference in Amsterdam, a security consultant from Germany demonstrated how to use a smartphone application he developed to control the operating system of a helicopter. "

Reid pointed to another piece of information and continued.

"Coincidentally, in 2018, a computer expert from Kaspersky claimed that he tried to tamper with the flight management system while flying on a 737 passenger plane and succeeded. He was subsequently arrested by the FBI."

"How can we be sure that the operator did not disguise himself as a passenger, invade the cabin, and eventually die with the aircraft?"

Major Rearden asked quickly.

"Because we have not received any statement from any organization or individual claiming responsibility for the crash, this is unreasonable for a successful suicide attack."

Hotchner explained, "What we are looking for is not a terrorist, but a serial killer whose goal is to cause mass murder, so we need to recommend to the White House that all domestic flights be banned immediately."

Major Rearden nodded heavily, looking convinced.

"Leave this to me, but you know better than me what the no-fly means, so please hurry up."

After she left the conference room, Hotchner immediately picked up the phone and called Jiejie, who was still in the hospital, and asked her to hand over the task of monitoring and protecting the deputy captain to other FBI agents, and rushed to the command center immediately. She needed to play her role now. She is good at dealing with the media.

"We need to direct media opinion towards the possibility of equipment malfunction, allowing suspects to reveal themselves, although this is risky."

Jiejie, who hurried over, nodded to express her understanding, and then provided a new clue, "Frank Canforth and his wife have received death threats."

Sorry, something happened unexpectedly today, so I have finished posting this chapter.