Chapter 17After we were all gathered at the cargo door, Toby began working to open the double doors. I said, "Remember everyone, the crew and passengers of this aircraft may still be on board. If they are, no telling what shape they are in. The dry climate of the desert is a natural preservative for metal and can also slow the decay of organic matter. Also keep in mind, the air inside the aircraft will be stale and old, so odors may be strong and nauseating."
I continued, "Then again, we may be opening the doors to an empty aircraft. The crew and passengers may have figured out a way to transport the cargo or the aircraft may have been robbed at some point after the crash. Lastly, this may not even be the aircraft we are trying to find. After all, this plane is 128 miles east of where the
