Two Similar Personalities

Dan Futrell, 33  and Isaac Stoner, 31 lives in Boston, Massachusetts and know each other for years when they were roommates. Isaac is a biotechnologist while Dan is an Army Ranger-qualified. At present, he not only works but also holds a seat on the Somerville School Committee Boston. They look just like young professionals who work in 9 to 5 jobs and look up towards a successful future but what they’ve done is extraordinary.Working in different fields, there was a similar interest that always kept their friendship strong. Their interests always matched whether it was their love for dogs or their love for marathons. Dan and Isaac both enjoy adventures. Although they have not chosen any adventurous lifestyle, they are ever ready for anything and everything that could possibly give them goosebumps. However, the way they made the decision of their life was nothing but because of their curiosity.

Mount Illimani

Giant Mt. Illimani (Aymara) is the largest in the Cordillera Real, Bolivia. The four main peaks of the mountain are visible from far off distance. It is even visible from the nearby cities of El Alto and La Paz where it is used as a landmark. With several local songs written on Illimani, it seems to be closely related to the locals’ hearts. However, the mountain was soon to be the only one to see the mishappening of flight 980.On January 1, 1985, Eastern Air Lines Flight 980 took off from Asunción, Paraguay to Miami, Florida, United States. The Boeing 727 jetliner operating the flight was scheduled to stop at the El Alto Airport near La Paz, Bolivia on their way.

Farther Than The Moon

As their research initiated they understood why this trek is said to be very different as well as difficult. They could now make sense behind the reasons why the investigation never completed. Now the urgency to get to the bottom of this mystery rose to a different level. They named it as operation Thonapa, named after the Incan god of knowledge. It was to find the black box of the Eastern Flight 980, by Dan Futrell and Isaac Stoner. Although its actual color is orange, it is known as the black box, ie, the recording box. Dan and Isaac were to take care of a few things now and get things started.

High In The Sky

Within a few minutes of entering La Paz, the altitude and the weather started affecting the people. Robert and Jose were quite comfortable with the environment and Dan was fighting up with the new place. Isaac and Peter were facing a hard time with the oxygen issues. They had a long way to go but they were trying to manage their shortcomings.

Was Is It?

After several days of looking around, Isaac got his eyes on a scrap piece that had CKPT VO RCRD…compact voice recorder! written on it. Within a feet’s distance, there was a spindle of magnetic tape. They finally cracked the code! At least that’s what they thought at first and everyone believed them on this.