The Tragedy of Flight 103: The Inside Story1990

[final conversation between flight 103 and air traffic control]

Capt. Jim McQuarrie:
Good evening, Scottish.

ATC Alan Topp:
Uh, this is Scottish. Ident, please.

Capt. Jim McQuarrie:
This is Clipper 103, requesting oceanic clearance.

ATC Alan Topp:
Clipper 103, good evening. Uh, for identification, squawk 0357 with ident please.

[pause, flight 103 appears on the radar screen]

ATC Alan Topp:
Clipper 103, route direct, 59 North 10 West to Kennedy. Maintain flight level 310.

[flight 103 disappears from the screen]

ATC Alan Topp:
Clipper 103? Clipper 103?

[pause]

ATC Alan Topp:
I've got multiple returns. It's showing five returns! They're fanning out downwind. Clipper 103, this is Scottish? Come in! Clipper 103? I've lost the Clipper!

Watch Controller Ford:
Shuttle reports an explosion on the ground.

ATC Alan Topp:
You're kidding! That must be the Clipper.