Ernest K. Gann wrote the book, Fate Is The Hunter, which became a classic among pilots. However, as written, it wouldn't have made a good film, particularly in the 1960s. So, the idea of the film, that random factors might affect the success of any airplane flight, was used as a hook for the film plot.
The idea: an airliner crashes, and a vice president of an airline is convinced, against all evidence, that the crash was not due to pilot error. His quest to determine what actually happened is the bulk of the film.
There are several flashbacks that explain what on the surface seem to be less than sterling behavior of the pilot who was killed, but the only one who understands this is the vice president.
Finally, the fatal flight is duplicated, and the actual explanation (a tad contrived) is revealed.
It's better viewing if you're not a pilot, but it's still a good view.
The idea: an airliner crashes, and a vice president of an airline is convinced, against all evidence, that the crash was not due to pilot error. His quest to determine what actually happened is the bulk of the film.
There are several flashbacks that explain what on the surface seem to be less than sterling behavior of the pilot who was killed, but the only one who understands this is the vice president.
Finally, the fatal flight is duplicated, and the actual explanation (a tad contrived) is revealed.
It's better viewing if you're not a pilot, but it's still a good view.