I think the Capt was out to lunch, and the subordinates (due to cultural factors) didn't like to mention that the lunch break was over.
Difficult to believe no-one saw anything.
Regretably, easier to believe they saw but didn't say.
RoyHudd, try
www.aviation-safety.net. . . but not if you want to sleep easily at night. It lists every accident from the dinosaurs up to now, by country of carrier, country of accident, carrier, A/C type, however you fancy. Harrowing stuff, lots in there I had forgotten/never heard of.