Airbus Technical Support: Hello there. I am being your technical support helper.
Cockpit: All our instruments went black. We don't have any of our computer screens.
Airbus Technical Support: I am not understanding you. Are you currently flying in your airbus?
Cockpit: Yes. We are approximately 500 miles west of London, and we have no instruments. Heavy weather here. We need assistance in restarting our instruments.
Airbus Technical Support: OK, I will be helping you then. Please be unplugging your instruments from the mains. Then replacing the mains plug firmly. After, then switching the instruments to on position.
Cockpit: Mains? What are you talking about. There are no mains in this aircraft! You need to help us. We do not know our current altitude or bearings.
Airbus Technical Support: Then, you are having problems with bearings on your airbus? I am not being the support person for bearings. I will transfer you...please be waiting now.
He and his co-pilots were preparing to ditch in the sea, but realised they could aim for a small airstrip on one of the remoter islands in the Azores.
Landed at Lajes Field, a joint military/civilian airfield with a length of 10,600 feet. I was stationed there twice...my friend who is still there sent me some pics of this crash (all tires blew, plane swerved off the side of the runway.)
An amazing landing and I would kiss the pilot had I been on the plane but it was hardly a small airstrip to land in.