Snap Judgment: "Into the Abyss - Snap Classic"

Podcast Overview
Title: Snap Judgment
Host/Author: Snap Judgment and PRX
Description: Snap Judgment blends real-life stories with compelling beats, creating cinematic and dramatic radio experiences. The podcast encourages listeners to view the world through diverse perspectives, offering storytelling "with a BEAT."

Episode: Into the Abyss - Snap Classic
Release Date: April 17, 2025
Focus: This episode delves into the harrowing story of the Wapiti Airlines Flight 402 crash in 1984, exploring the events leading up to the disaster, the survival ordeal, and the profound aftermath experienced by the survivors.

The Crash of Wapiti Airlines Flight 402

The episode opens with a recounting of the tragic crash of Wapiti Airlines Flight 402 on October 19, 1984. Six lives were lost in the devastating accident, including Grant Notley, the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in Alberta. Among the survivors were Eric Vogel, a 24-year-old pilot; Larry Shaban, Alberta's Housing Minister; Scott Deschamps, a rookie Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer; and Paul Archambeau, a prisoner being escorted to court.

Natalie Moore sets the scene, describing her personal connection to the story through her father, Larry Shaban. She reflects on the enduring bonds forged through shared trauma, highlighting how such experiences shape relationships differently than those from more stable backgrounds.

Natalie Moore [00:02]: "If you're listening to snap judgment."

Survivors' Accounts: Personal Stories from the Abyss

Initial Impact and Realization
Carol Chabin, Larry Shaban's daughter, narrates how she learned about the crash while working in Jerusalem. The news hit her hard, especially upon discovering that her father was aboard the ill-fated flight.

Carol Chabin [04:04]: "I was staggered by this and immediately I dropped the paper and I called home and I was frantic."

Pilot Eric Vogel's Struggle
Eric Vogel recounts his experience as the pilot under immense pressure to fly despite severe weather conditions. The Wapiti Airlines had a history of pushing safety boundaries, often ignoring adverse weather to maintain their flight schedule.

Eric Vogel [11:03]: "I started flying right out of high school and I had no real direction... But this was pretty high profile."

The Night of the Crash
On the night of the crash, poor weather conditions plagued the flight. Eric discusses the critical decisions made under duress, such as attempting to land at a small, remote airport, which ultimately led to the plane striking a hill due to icing and navigational miscalculations.

Eric Vogel [17:19]: "I decided I'm not going below. 800ft above ground... And unfortunately, it was 850ft high."

Survival Amidst Chaos

Formation of Survivor Bonds
In the immediate aftermath, the survivors struggled to maintain hope amidst freezing temperatures and physical injuries. Despite their disparate backgrounds—a politician, a police officer, a prisoner, and a pilot—their shared experience fostered a unique camaraderie.

Larry Shaban [20:36]: "We tramped through the snow because the snow was a good two and a half feet deep."

Building a Fire and Signaling for Help
The group prioritized keeping a fire burning to signal for rescue and stay warm. They ingeniously used aircraft seats to create flare signals, which eventually attracted the attention of search and rescue teams.

Eric Vogel [27:47]: "We ended up burning both seats."

Emotional Struggles and Mutual Support
Eric and Larry emerged as pillars of strength, supporting each other and managing the group's limited resources. Their interactions reveal deep emotional scars, especially for Eric, who grappled with survivor's guilt and the weight of his responsibility.

Eric Vogel [24:25]: "The pilot's responsible, it's still my flight, my passengers. I'm supposed to go now and... I had no skills."

Rescue and Aftermath

Search and Rescue Efforts
Despite efforts to signal their location, initial rescue attempts failed as search planes misinterpreted flare signals. It wasn't until the second morning, after persistent efforts and some successful signaling, that the survivors were located and extracted by a Chinook helicopter.

Eric Vogel [36:17]: "They started doing their triage and I kept saying, I'm not going first. Take everybody else."

Emotional Healing and Reconciliation
In the years following the crash, the survivors maintained contact, fostering a sense of forgiveness and mutual respect. Larry Shaban, grappling with terminal cancer, sought a reunion with Eric and the other survivors, signifying the enduring bonds formed through their ordeal.

Eric Vogel [41:53]: "You've been a hero in my new life, Larry, and I've tried to make you proud."

Legacy and Reflection
The episode concludes by acknowledging the profound impact of the crash on the survivors' lives. Eric Vogel found solace and redemption in volunteering as a firefighter, while Larry studied the event's legacy up until his passing. Carol Chabin highlights the importance of memory and forgiveness in moving forward from such tragedies.

Larry Shaban [40:25]: "I think that I have taken those extra 19 years justice somehow in terms of using the time."

Concluding Thoughts

"Into the Abyss - Snap Classic" is a poignant exploration of survival, responsibility, and the human capacity for forgiveness. Through personal narratives and emotional reflections, the episode underscores how shared trauma can forge unbreakable bonds, leading to profound personal growth and reconciliation. The story of Wapiti Airlines Flight 402 serves as a testament to resilience and the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

For a more detailed account of the events surrounding Wapiti Airlines Flight 402, listeners are encouraged to read Carol Chabin's book Into the Abyss.