Other Controller: "1002?"

Traffic Controller: "He's nordo at 21-thousand feet by Hilo already."

Other Controller: "Oh wow."

At this point. the go! pilots have overshot the airport and are still flying at 21,000 feet. Airline analyst Peter Foreman, who listened to the tapes, says it's clear something is very wrong.

"By the time you get 60 miles from your destination, it's time to descend. So obviously someone was not minding the store. I mean that airplane needed to contact the controller," said Foreman.

Nearly 30 minutes into the flight the air traffic controller tries again more urgently.

"Air shuttle 10-02 Air shuttle 10-02 Air shuttle 1002, if you hear HCF approach, contract HCF approach immediately on either 126.0 or 126.6 126.6. Air shuttle 10-02 immediately."

A few seconds later and still without response, she calls another go! Airlines pilot who was in the air hoping he could find a way to get in touch with the lost crew.

Traffic Controller: "Air shuttle 1011, your company is non-responsive. He's at flight level 210, he past the Hilo airport and heading South East bound. I don't know if he's in an emergency situation but I need you to do whatever you can to try to contact your company air shuttle 1002."

Finally about 32 minutes into the flight from Honolulu to Hilo the captain responds.

Traffic Controller: "Air Shuttle 1002, guys, I've been trying to contact you for the last 90 to 100 miles. I understand you've passed Hilo I'm going to turn you back to the northeast bound to get you back to the Hilo Airport. Is there some kind of emergency situation going on?"

"Uh, no emergency situation," said the pilot.

Related Story:

Go! Airline's Other Blackout Under Investigation

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