The novel opens as Will Kent and his 11-year-old daughter, Shannon, are flying from Hawaii to San Francisco and witness the plane’s engine explode as it flies over the ocean. In the cockpit are Captain Miller and First Officer Kit Callahan; the latter reports to the air traffic controllers that the plane’s engines and hydraulic lines have died. All systems in the aircraft have essentially failed, so the pilots can’t control the plane or turn back toward land. Will puts a life vest on Shannon and tries to comfort her as the passengers realize that the plane is going to crash. Molly Hernandez, a nearby flight attendant, tries to remain calm. Back in the cockpit, the control panel is completely lit up. The Full Authority Digital Engine Control, a computer that allows pilots to communicate with the engine—has failed.

Kaholo Kapule, another flight attendant, holds the interphone to his ear as the other flight attendants are doing—they are trained to wait until the pilots call so as not to interrupt or distract them. Finally, Kit asks if any of them can see the engine. Kaholo looks and sees that what is left of the engine is on fire.