Final Approach

By John J. Nance

Final Approach - John J. Nance
  • Release Date: 2016-01-19
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 139 Ratings

Description

A government investigator looks into the cover-up of a deadly plane crash in this aviation thriller from the New York Times–bestselling author of Lockout.

In the control tower at Kansas City International Airport, all the radar displays are red. But for the experienced pilots of North America Airlines, the thunderstorms aren’t the problem: NAA has been cutting costs to stave off bankruptcy, and will do anything to keep their planes in the air. Unfortunately, no matter what they do, one is on its way down.
 
After the aircraft collides with another plane on the Kansas City runway, in one of the worst aviation disasters of the decade, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Joe Wallingford arrives on the scene. As he studies the wreckage and pieces together the events that led to the tragedy, he realizes there’s far more at play than pilot error or equipment malfunction. Wallingford will have to risk his career—and perhaps even his life—to solve the puzzle of the crash.

Reviews

  • Fast paced Aviation detective story of the NTSB

    5
    By DX30QE
    Although somewhat dated, still an interesting insight into the protection of aviation safety with a bit of human drama to keep it interesting.
  • Final Approach

    5
    By Longjing54
    I first read John J. Nance’s _Final Approach_ in print soon after it was originally published 1990. Thirty-plus years later, it remains a compelling legal thriller and techno who-done-it. The plot is plausible, and the novel has well-rounded principal characters. I remember that the print edition carried an afterword from Nance in which he discussed the pedantic purpose of his novel — (SPOILER ALERT) to press for systematic change in the organization of the NTSB, whose staff then, as now, is responsible for investigating air accidents, but also those involving motor carriers, railroads, and pipelines. Thirty years later in this digital edition, the afterword is gone, but the vast sphere of NTSB responsibilities remains.
  • Good til the last page!!

    5
    By NavyWife 75
    Great read. Holds your attention until the very last page. Can’t put down!!
  • Good story, too technical

    4
    By amycubs7
    I enjoyed the story itself, even if it was a little character heavy. Slow start to it with all the technical terms, but it sped up and great ending!
  • Boring ...

    3
    By Longhorn5555
    Flimsy characters. Contrived rationale. Silly decisions. Finally just quit reading a little over half way.
  • Final Approach

    5
    By biremasy
    One of the best books I've ever read. The characters were believable and were exciting to follow. Although it was fiction, it was easy to see how political pressures as well as national security can affect an investigation. I heartily recommend this book.
  • Compelling Story

    5
    By Dadude59
    A great read that takes you through the behind the scenes of the airline industry, the FAA and the NTSB. A realistic look at how human factors, coupled with politics and underfunded safety initiatives can spell disaster. Filled with action, emotion and a storyline to keep you up late into the night.
  • Yes!

    5
    By Academy 3
    An intriguing and mystifying story about aviation.
  • Emotionally Exhausting

    5
    By Kayak Jay
    The first chapters made me so emotional that I questioned whether I could keep reading. As I continued there were still times when the emotion was hard to take. The characters were so well developed that I quickly became invested with them. They were all people I knew or had dealt with. As a retired Federal employee, I think the hostile interaction between the career employees and the political appointees was very accurate. The many twists and turns as the plot develops made the book very engrossing and difficult to put down. The ending was a little contrived, but acceptable, with one loose end left hanging. If you can handle the gut-wrenching impact of an airplane crash in the beginning, the book is exciting and a good read.