Just done with one more episode of ACI on discovery channel.
 
When it comes to software engineers the most grave result of my coding mistake would be that the video playback on the user phone could be interrupted by a crash or worst comes to worst, the user would experience a crash during the phone conversation. Never was I responsible for more than 200 lives!
 
The 269 passengers for flight KAL 007, Korean Airline from New York to Seoul on 1st Sept 1983 seems to have its fate sealed. There were a number of errors and coincidents due to which the KAL 007 had to be "shot down" by the then Soviet Union. The aftermath could have proved a war as well.
 
KAL007 was on its way from NewYork to Seoul. It accidentally stayed into the Soviet airspace. A Soviet fighter plane, shot it down claiming it was a spy plane. Everyone on the plane died. The data recorder of the plane was recovered by USSR and was handed over to the USA only after 8 long years. Until then the events of KAL007 was a mystery.

Errors:
 1. The autopilot system used at the time had two modes, INS and HEADING. The INS navigation was programmed with the flight plan, the pilot could turn the autopilot mode by switching to the INS position after take off. One theory is that the pilots "forgot" to switch to INS autopilot mode, or did not activate the INS mode. Both were standard basic procedure to fly a plane. Due to this the plane navigated off track and since it was using the HEADING mode and since there were no GPS available for civilian planes, this error went unnoticed.

2. The sister flight KAL015 that was 15 minutes behind KAL007 heading to the same destination did mention to KAL 007 that it is experiencing strong tail winds. While the crew in KAL007 said that it has experience strong head winds. It was impossible that two aircrafts would experience different weather conditions in a difference of 15 minutes. A clue that was not caught by the KAL 007 crew.

3. The Soviets were planning a missile test that day. A United State air force plane was flying in that area was monitoring the test.

4. The Soviets found the plane intruding. They did send out three fighters to confront it, but before the fighters could reach the aircraft, the airplane left the Soviets airspace and was flying over neutral waters. The plane re-entered the Soviets airspace over Sakhalin Island and orders were given to attack it "before it left the Soviets airspace".

5. The Soviet Sukhoi intercepted the Boeing from behind and fired warning shots. These shots were not seen by the commercial pilots. At coincident that happened next was something that sealed the fates of all the passengers.

6. At this point, KAL 007 contacted Tokyo air traffic control requesting clearance to ascend to a higher flight level for reasons of fuel economy; the request was granted, so the Boeing started to climb, gradually slowing as it exchanged speed for altitude. The decrease in speed caused the pursuing fighter to overshoot the Boeing, an action that was interpreted by the Soviet pilot as an evasive maneuver. The order to shoot KAL 007 down was given as it was about to leave Soviet airspace for the second time. Under pressure from the commander and ground controllers not to let the aircraft escape into international waters, the lead fighter was able to move back into a position where it could fire two air-to-air missiles at the plane. Then the ground [controller] gave the command: 'Destroy the target!'. Though the interceptor pilot reported to ground control, "Target destroyed"

Its a Saturday morning. Shivdas and I had been working until late on Friday evening for the release. We also had to get up at 5 on Saturday to make it for the cricket match Adroit Bulls vs trimedians, the first match of the SPL! The match was at the ground next to BMCC. I was the first one to get there, but could not find the ground. Later I realised that the ground that I thought is a basket ball court, was actually the ground that we had hired. A very small ground. We decided where the boundaries would be and started to play.

We lost the toss and we were suppose to field. I was the wicket keeper from our team. First the girl Suma came to play for the 1st over. In the heat of the moment I asked Shivdas to make a throw at the stumps and I could not collect the ball. Since the boundaries were shot for the female players, the ball was over thrown for a 4 :-( . She played another shot close to her legs to the fine leg and another 4 :-(. She scored some 17 runs from which I had probably given off some 8 runs.

Now come in the men. The first batsmen nicked an edge and the ball went over his and my head. Somehow I was able to keep pace with the ball and caught it of once bounce in my hand.. phew.. OUT. Some solace. Later the game progressed and they made some 70 odd runs in 9 overs. Also, I changed my position to mid wicket and managed to hold onto another catch. 2 catches for me.

Now it was our turn to bat. All our players at the top order batted well. The score came down to 2 runs required in 3 balls and Shivdas was at the crease. Next ball.. and Shivdas got out! Now I was sent in to bat at the strikers end. We needed 2 runs from 2 balls. I somehow had to make these runs, else it would be putting many efforts down the drain. All sorts of thoughts were crossing my mind, what if I am not able to make contact with the ball? What if we lose? Shall I just run and give Palash the strike? Palash and I had a talk and we decide to run what ever is the case. If he got out, so well be it, any ways if we didn't run he would never get the strike. So I started murmuring my prayers and went to bat. I think this is the least the team could have expected off me, 1 run in 1 ball and Palash would take care of the rest :-D.

So I took my guard and there comes the bowler running in. The ball comes slowly to me and at full toss. All I had to do it put my bat in between. I could do this. The ball went further away to the long on. Palash screamed run 2. We ran 2 and we WON! HURRAY! One picture of me making the winning runs!