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The original was posted on /r/nosleep by /u/HailtokingTeddy on 2024-09-28 17:29:45+00:00.

Below is what is accepted to be the official transcript of the Cockpit Voice Recorder of Sky Bridge Logistics (SBL) Flight 729. This Transcript was transcribed with the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Moscow, the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) of Moscow, with help from the United Nations. All of which have signed off on this copy being accessible to [Redacted] to help further understand the cause and nature of the incident in question.

Due to the Investigation being ongoing at this time, it was agreed upon by all parties involved that this Transcript not be released to the public in any capacity to avoid any unwanted attention towards the investigation. Any and all personnel who violate this agreement shall be met with both disciplinary (full termination) and legal action as necessary.

Description of Flight in question: SBL Flight 729 is a Tupolev TU-204-100C aircraft, acquisitioned by the United States government (presidential office) in connection with the Russian Federation (Kremlin Seal) for the transport of sensitive cargo. Maximum takeoff weight: 103mt Date of last Maintenance Check: August 7th, 2023 State of Aircraft (Before Incident): Flight Ready State of Aircraft (Currently): Presumed Flight Ready

Due to the extremely volatile nature of this joint operation, the amount of information within this document is all you will have to use to help in the process of the investigation

Aboard SBL Flight 729 during the incident flight was forty-seven gas canisters, two separate lab equipment kits that included heavy machinery, a supply of Hazmat suits outfitted to withstand the contents of the aforementioned canisters, and one offloader for the combined weight of 54mt

The Flight Crew of SBL Flight 729 were as follows:

Cpt. Joseph “Matchbox” McCoy, United States Air force - Pilot (age 39) Kpt. Maksim Glazastov, Russian Aerospace Force - Co-pilot (age 37) Sqn Ldr Zahir Rao, Indian Air Force - Flight Engineer (age 42)

The Flight was scheduled to take off at 0600 UTC on August 9th, 2023, however, it had been delayed to 0645 UTC due to complications with both loading the aforementioned cargo, and clearance issues between the main 2 governments involved. At approximately 0647 UTC, SBL Flight 729 took off from runway 9/27 on Fort Liberty Airforce Base, North Carolina, heading East towards it’s intended Destination of Ukrainka Air Base in Amur Oblast, Russia. This flight was scheduled to make a refueling stop in Istanbul. The flight lasted a total of 16 minutes. Exactly 9 minutes into the flight, a Mayday was sent out by Captain McCoy to the Air Traffic Control tower where he was cleared to return to Fort Liberty. Captain McCoy successfully made a 180° turn at flight level 89, and began his descent. Eye witnesses report seeing the aircraft dumping fuel and descending “rapidly” and flying “sluggishly” before making touchdown at 0703 UTC. Emergency vehicles were on seen awaiting the doors of the aircraft to open, which they never did. Fearing the pilots and crew had fallen unconscious from whatever emergency had caused their return, the emergency responders rushed to the aircraft at 0710 UTC. Upon entering the aircraft they were met with what one responder called “dark blue smoke” blowing out of the open door. Once the smoke cleared, responders entered the airplane to retrieve the crew and search for a fire. No fire was located, nor was any member of the crew.

After the engines were shut off by a responder and extensive search was done in and around the aircraft looking for any survivors or remains, none were located. All cargo from the aircraft was removed and carefully examined. One of the canisters marked as “HOPCCN” had suffered minor damage causing the contents to drain to about 95% capacity. Apart from this, all else appeared normal.

The agency of [Redacted] is tasked with listening and reviewing the Transcript of the CVR Recording of the flight in question, which has been approved by both governments. All parties involved are to be notified immediately and simultaneously if there is a discovery made from your findings. To help, the names of the crew will be placed beside their respective CAMs.

CVR OF FLIGHT 729 0647 CAM-2 (Maksim) V1

Cam-1(McCoy) Rotate Gears up.

ATC- Flight 729 you are cleared to climb to flight level 160

0648 Cam-2(Maksim) Cleared for flight level 160. Affirm

Cam-1(McCoy) Climbing to Flight level 160.

(Sound of engine rpms increasing)

Not a bad day for flying, eh boys?

0649 Cam-2(Maksim) I’d agree

Cam-3(Rao) Affirm from back here

(Undetermined noise)

Cam-2(Maksim) What was that?

0650 Cam-1(McCoy) I heard it too. Sounded like a bird maybe

Cam-3(Rao) No. It came from inside.

Cam-2(Maksim) Inside? Something in the plane?

0651 Cam-1(McCoy) Maybe something wasn’t tied down enough. No indicator lights flashing. You got anything?

Cam-2(Maksim) Negative. All green

Cam-3(Rao) Do you smell that? Smells like… eggs

Cam-1(McCoy) Gas leak? Should we mask up? I don’t smell anything. Do you?

Cam-2(Maksim) Not yet. You still smell it Rao?

0652 Cam-3(Rao) Yes… getting stronger. Maybe mask up?

Cam-2(Maksim) Affirm. Masking

Cam-1(McCoy) Masking. Should we call it in? I still don’t smell anything.

Cam-2(Maksim) Negative. They will just have us turn around. We can check at Istan 0653 Cam-1(McCoy) Alright.

(Undetermined noise)

Cam-2(Maksim) That was louder that time. Sounded like someone banging on the cockpit door

Cam-3(Rao) I’ll check. One second. Rao stands and opens the cockpit door at this time

Cam-1(McCoy) Is…Is that smoke?

0654

Cam-2(Maksim) Could be. I don’t have any indicators on. Maybe the cargo?

Cam-3(Rao) Call it in. I can barely see back there.

0655 Cam-1(McCoy) - to ATC Radio Flight 729 Mayday Mayday Mayday

ATC Flight 729 this is tower, state your emergency.

Cam-1(McCoy) Flight 729 we have a possible gas leak in our cargo looks like smoke requesting an immediate 180 degree turn back to FLA Base.

0656 ATC Copy flight 729. Return to Base authorized turn right and descend to flight level 050. Dump fuel after turn

Cam-1(McCoy) Turning right and descending to flight level 050 flight 729.

Cam-2(Maksim) Hard to see. It’s getting heavier

Cam-3(Rao) Dumping fuel. Are masks compromised? I’m getting a bit nervous.

0657

Cam-2(Maksim) I don’t know. What do you see? It’s hard to tell.

Cam-1(McCoy) Easy guys. It’s not far. We haven’t been up here long.

Cam-3(Rao) Oh gods. Oh gods what is happening*

translated from Hindi Cam-2(Maksim) What is it Rao?

Cam-3(Rao) Hands. My hands. I can see past them* *translated from Hindi

0658 Cam-1(McCoy) What’s he saying? I can’t understand.

Cam-2(Maksim) Something about his hands. Did you touch something? I can barely see you Rao. In the smoke.

Cam-1(McCoy) There isn’t that much smoke what are you- oh Jesus Christ! Maksim your eyes!

Cam-2(Maksim) What do you mean captain? What is it? It is happening* *translated from Russian

Cam-3(Rao) Can’t touch the board. Hands go in it. Why?* *Translated from Hindi 0659 Cam-1(McCoy) - to ATC Mayday. Mayday. Flight 729 in need of medical on landing. Repeat. In need of medical when landing. Something isn’t right.

ATC Flight 729 acknowledged. Will have rescue personnel at the ready. What’s going on?

Cam-2(Maksim) Captain. Captain I can’t see. Can you fly? I can’t see. What is it?* *Translated from Russian Cam-1(McCoy) - to ATC I-I don’t know. Maksim’s eyes. They’re- they’re empty. I-I can’t see them.

Cam-2(Maksim) Captain. What? Am I dying?* *Translated from Russian

0700 ATC flight 729 can you repeat? Did you say eyes?

Cam-1(McCoy) Just hang in there pal. I’m gonna land this thing. You will be fine. Rao? Is fuel dumped?.. Rao? Oh god.

ATC Flight 729 can you repeat? Are you receiving?

Cam-2(Maksim) What… what is it? Is Rao alive?* *Translated

Cam-1(McCoy) It’s- It’s just his clothes. Why?

0701 ATC Flight 729 we have your visual. Can you hear us?

Cam-1(McCoy) - to ATC Yes. Yes Flight 729 we hear you. I’m…I’m trying to put her down. My-my hands keep slipping. Through the Yoke. Holy fucking shit my hands are slipping through the Yoke.

Cam-2(Maksim) God. I can’t. Feel. My hands. Ugh

Cam-1(McCoy) Just stay with me buddy! I can see the runway. We are almost there. I’m keeping it steady. Just hold on!

ATC Flight 729 we have the runway clear. Are you able to land?

Cam-1(McCoy) - To ATC I- I think so. I haven’t lost it. Not yet. Gears are down. I-

(Sound of plane touching down)

0702 Cam-1(McCoy) Down. Brakes. Feet in floor. Breaks. I can’t hit the buttons. What is happening. Maksim is gone too. Holy fuck he’s gone. I-

(Undetermined noise)

Cam-1,2,3(unknown) staticit’s donestatic

End of transmission.