“Cooper, what in the hell is going on?” Wolf’s eyes were now open with panic showing as the freezing water registered.
“The plane is sinking fast and we have to get out of here now,” Cooper commanded.
“I can’t seem to get this seat belt undone.” Wolf was straining, now terrified and spitting water out as it surged up to his face.
“Hold on. Let me try,” Cooper said as he took a deep breath and dove under the frigid Pacific water.
Cooper ripped and pulled on the seat belt mechanism with all his strength, but to no avail. He resurfaced and spoke as calmly as possible. “Wolf, hold on, buddy. I’m going to find something to cut it.”
Cooper’s gaze now looked all around as he tried to spot something that was sharp enough to cut the tough belts.
The water was getting dangerously high and every second wasted meant Wolf was closer to death. Cooper took another deep breath and dove under, still trying to free his distressed coworker from his seat.
The water was dimly lit by the slight glow of the instrument panel lights, but they were fading fast as water found its way into the electrical system. Cooper surfaced for air, still unsuccessful in his attempts.
“I’m sorry, buddy. I can’t get this damn thing undone,” Cooper said somberly as he grabbed Wolf’s hand.
“Can you do something for me?” Wolf asked while pulling Cooper’s shirt toward him. Wolf’s face suddenly became peaceful as the water continued rising.
“Anything.”
“Tell that sexy flight attendant that it wasn’t just a one-night stand. I liked her enough that it scared the crap out of me.” Wolf gripped tighter to Cooper’s shirt as the water covered his face. Cooper was fully prepared to go down with his copilot, not willing to leave a man behind.
Just before he turned away, he saw something glisten underneath the water, illuminated by the flickering light. It was a large shard of glass that had broken from the windshield. Adrenaline flooded his body as Cooper dove beneath the water, grabbed the glass, and began cutting the seat belts.
One by one, the straps snapped. Wolf’s body, now seemingly lifeless, was free. With one arm around his friend, Cooper pushed his way through the flight deck door and out into the flooding cabin.
The plane pitched violently forward, causing a large influx of water through the open exits. Cooper glanced at Wolf’s face and noticed he was becoming paler. He knew Wolf had no chance of survival without CPR, and soon. He could hear the sounds of passengers and the faint voices of flight attendants calling out instructions from outside the craft. It appeared they’d gotten everyone off in time.
The aisle was full of floating personal effects that he had to navigate around to get to the open exit row door. As Cooper emerged from the opening, a bright light shone on him. He looked up, hearing the pulsing blades of a helicopter as it flew past and out of sight.
The bright orange and white paint could be seen on the side of the helicopter, telling Cooper the Coast Guard was here. A small sense of relief came over him as he pulled Wolf over to the wing and held on, Wolf on his back with Cooper holding his chin above the waves. The helicopter disappeared from the wreckage, presumably to summon assistance.
“Captain! Captain, over here,” one of the flight attendants shouted as they paddled a raft closer.
The sea lay silent as the water lapped the edges of the plane’s fuselage. The surroundings were dimly lit by fuel burning here and there on the water’s surface. Cooper could see yellow life rafts filled with passengers. The once piercing screams that had filled the air were now a quiet rumble as people sobbed their relief.
The flight attendants’ training had paid off for everyone on board, it seemed, as they’d quickly and safely ushered the passengers out of the submerging cabin and onto the bobbing rafts.
For what had seemed like an improbable task, Cooper and his first officer had done their job. The plane was intact and all souls accounted for, but further efforts were needed to ensure everyone’s continued survival.
“Is everyone off the plane?” he shouted.
“Every single passenger is accounted for,” she gladly told him.
Cooper had to fight tears as he glanced at his crew, all of them doing their job, going above and beyond, and not allowing a single soul to lose his or her life. This was the airline he owned; these were the people he employed. He’d chosen well.
He could abandon ship now.
Cooper reached out and grabbed the rope that encircled the yellow raft. “I need help over here. Wolf needs CPR.”
With the help of some passengers, Cooper lifted Wolf and placed him on the floor of the raft and then climbed in himself. He pushed the boat clear of the airplane and began CPR on his friend, giving him one good breath and watching his chest rise and fall. He then began chest compressions.