I've just spent a fascinating 90 minutes listening to the ATC recordings and I've put a summary below.
Very impressive considering all involved were non-native English speakers. I thought it commendable that Lisbon approach rapidly transferred all other traffic to another frequency. I thought the F-16 pilot's English was remarkably good, but I do feel that the pilot of 1388 was confused as to who he was talking to and the F-16 should have turned the transponder off, as he closed on 1388
LiveATC 1330Z:
http://archive-server.liveatc.net/lp...2018-1330Z.mp3
02:40 MAYDAY
11:30 First ditching statement
13:00 ATC offers "the river"
17:55 "Completely uncontrollable"
20:00 Request for VMC
21:50 6 POB "Completely uncontrollable. Flight control problem" Planning a sea ditching
23:55 ATC suggests southbound heading to better weather.
27:10 Confirming planning to ditch
29:10 Controller change
LiveATC 1400Z:
http://archive-server.liveatc.net/lp...2018-1400Z.mp3
04:50 "Improved our conditions" ?
06:42 "Request vectoring to the sea" Discussion about river and "weather below us"
09:30 Requested confirmation that they could reach the sea on present heading
11:50 Still planning ditching. "Completely uncontrollable"
15:45 "We are in thunderstorm now"
18:58 "In this heading, can we reach the sea?"
19:30 "There's a couple of F-16 fighters. They are flying your way, to assist you with your navigation". 1388 does not understand the transmission.
21:30 ATC points out a river dam.
24:21 "You have the F-16 fighters reaching your position now". No response.
25:50 Very stressed transmission
26:15 Transmission from F-16 c/s "Portuguese Air Defence"
27:05 "Cannot maintain heading". "Climbing and descending all the time"
28:48 F-16 transmission "Can you get a lock on me?" Probably talking to a military controller.
29:15 Very stressed transmission
30:30 "If you fly south or southwest, you'll reach the sea"
LiveATC 1430Z
http://archive-server.liveatc.net/lp...2018-1430Z.mp3
Initially some duplication from the previous tape
02:50 "Eastbound cannot take you to the sea". "Fly westbound"
04:02 F-16 "... maintain two miles"
04:40 Calls to and from F-16. 60 miles north, planning to intercept and offering assistance. 1388 confirms intention to ditch.
06:30 Request heading to sea for ditching
06:50 F-16 "Faro is Victor Mike Charlie. Confirm you are unable to reach Faro?" 1388 confirms ditching
09:05 "If you continue that heading, you have an aerodrome, civilian aerodrome, 13 miles"
10:58 "The maintenance officer from [?] will try and contact you on this frequency as well"
11:45 "You are flying away from the sea. You are flying into Spanish territory."
12:05 "You'll probably find better weather if you move further east"
"Aircraft is now controllable"
"Roger. Confirm intentions?"
12:30 "We need closest airport with good weather"
12:45 "You have aerodrome with good weather, south of your position 135 miles. Can you fly that?"
13:10 F-16 offering to intercept and guide to the aerodrome. 1388 accepts.
13:35 F-16 requests confirmation from Lisbon that Faro will be the diversion.
13:50 F-16 advises that Beja is a closer aerodrome, 70 miles south.
14:15 F-16 requests confirmation from Lisbon that Beja will be suitable.
14:30 Lisbon confirms Beja is suitable and 1388 is expected
15:40 1388 requests runway information at Beja
16:00 Lisbon asks the F-16 if he can escort 1388 to Beja. F-16 reports 19 miles to intercept and VMC
16:50 F-16 advises a turn to line up with Runway 19 at Beja
17:35 F-16 10 miles out, offers to formate and guide 1388
18:55 1388 confirms under control, repeats that they need an airport with good weather - indicates some issue with flight controls.
19:25 Lisbon passes Beja information
19:45 F-16 reports formating.
1388 requests F-16 transponder off due to TCAS
20:30 F-16 gives heading and altitude
21:55 1388 confirms they can see the F-16 but they would prefer control from ATC.
22:15 Lisbon suggests following the F-16
23:45 Lisbon advises 45 miles to Beja. Requests a call when visual.
24:00 1388 requests airport spelling again
24:40 F-16 requests maintain VMC and passes ILS information
26:30 Discussion about 19R
27:15 Lisbon advises 9 mile final
27:35 Lisbon passes Beja weather
28:50 Lisbon passing information, 23 miles from field but no recorded response.
30:50 Lisbon tranfers 1388 to Beja