Symbols In the Likely Event Rebecca Yarros

Plane Crash (Flight 826) Symbol Analysis

The Literal Crash: What Happened on Flight 826

In In the Likely Event, Flight 826 is a Transcontinental Airlines commuter flight from St. Louis to Atlanta in November 2011. Shortly after takeoff in heavy fog, the plane’s left wing engine explodes, followed by the right engine. The aircraft loses all power and crash-lands in the Missouri River. Izzy Astor and Nathaniel Phelan, strangers seated together in the exit row, survive the impact and the subsequent evacuation into the freezing water. Nate helps Izzy swim to shore, and they wait for rescue huddled together on the bank. The crash is the inciting event that brings them together and becomes the origin of their lasting bond.

Recurrence and Evolving Meaning

The crash recurs both as a direct memory and as an emotional touchstone. It first appears in Chapter Two (Izzy) and Chapter Four (Izzy), where the explosion and crash are described in visceral detail. Chapter Six (Nathaniel) recounts the rescue from Nate’s perspective. Later, Chapter Eight shows Izzy in the hospital, recovering and learning Nate’s name from his backpack. In Chapter Nine, Izzy has a nightmare about drowning in the crash, and Nate comforts her. The event also echoes when they reunite in Kabul: during a helicopter flight, their eyes meet and they are “staring into each other’s eyes, our hands clinging as flight 826 plummeted into the Missouri.” In Chapter Ten, Nate proves he remembers her by recalling details from that day. Finally, in Chapter Thirty-Three, Izzy boards a flight to the Maldives—a voluntary act of trust—and Nate joins her, marking the moment they stop leaving their relationship to fate.

The meaning of the crash evolves across the story. Initially, it is a life-threatening disaster that forces two strangers to rely on each other, creating an immediate intimacy. After they separate, the crash becomes a symbol of their interrupted connection—a shared secret that neither can forget. When they meet again in Kabul, it resurfaces as a source of unresolved trauma and unresolved love. Izzy’s nightmares reveal her ongoing PTSD; Nate’s guilt over leaving her the first time deepens his struggle. By the end, the crash transforms from a site of terror into a testament to survival and commitment. When they choose to fly together again, the plane is no longer a symbol of loss but of hope and a deliberate future.

Connections to Major Themes

The plane crash connects directly to several major themes in the novel:

  • Fate versus Timing: The crash is a random event that throws Izzy and Nate together. Serena calls it fate, but Izzy and Nate both struggle with whether their reunion is destiny or poor timing. Their final agreement to “stop leaving it to fate” transforms the crash from a passive twist of luck into an active choice.

  • Military Sacrifice and PTSD: Nate’s role as a rescuer during the crash foreshadows his career as a Special Forces operator. The trauma of that day, combined with combat experiences, contributes to his PTSD. In Chapter Thirty-Two, he finally enters a behavioral-health clinic, confessing to guilt that includes failing to protect Izzy in Kabul.

  • Trauma Recovery: Izzy’s fear of flying and her nightmare in Chapter Nine illustrate how the crash haunts her. Her recovery involves both cognitive acceptance (reading statistics, trusting Nate) and emotional healing through their reunion. Nate’s therapy journey mirrors this theme.

  • Communication and Miscommunication: After the crash, Izzy cannot remember Nate’s name, leading to a period of lost communication. When they find each other again, their inability to share their feelings creates further tension. The crash is the original source of that silence.

  • Love versus Duty: Nate’s sense of duty—first to the military, then to protecting Izzy—clashes with his love for her. The crash’s aftermath (his decision to help her even while bleeding) mirrors the choices he makes in Afghanistan.

Character Links

  • Izzy Astor: The crash is her greatest fear realized. It defines her anxiety, her nightmares, and her reluctance to fly. It also forges her trust in Nate; she later tells him that when he held her hand during takeoff, she felt safe. Her journey from terrified passenger to someone who can board a plane for love shows her growth.

  • Nathaniel Phelan: For Nate, the crash is a moment of heroism and vulnerability. He takes charge, risks his life, and forms an instant bond. The crash also becomes a source of guilt—he left Izzy after the rescue without a way to contact him, and he carries that regret for years.

  • Serena Astor: Izzy’s sister plays a key role in the aftermath. She supports Izzy in the hospital and later writes an article that helps Izzy locate Nate. Serena’s belief in fate contrasts with Izzy’s skepticism.

  • Jeremy Covington: Izzy’s fiancé in the present timeline is unable to understand her trauma. He dismisses her fear of flying and her connection to Nate, symbolizing the emotional distance that the crash (and its legacy) creates.

  • Torres: Nate’s friend urges him to seek therapy, helping Nate confront the crash-related guilt and PTSD.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. How does the Flight 826 crash function as the origin of Izzy and Nate’s relationship, and why does it prove unbreakable?
    The crash forces them into a situation of extreme dependency. Izzy’s fear of flying and Nate’s protective instincts align; they hold hands during the descent, and Nate helps her escape the sinking plane. The shared survival creates a bond that transcends the three years they spend apart. Whenever they reunite, the memory of that day triggers an immediate intimacy, as seen in Kabul when Izzy’s nightmare leads to Nate comforting her on the couch.

  2. In what ways does the crash continue to affect Izzy’s choices and fears throughout the novel?
    Izzy’s fear of flying persists, leading her to research statistics and avoid flights when possible. In Kabul, she has nightmares about drowning, and she white-knuckles helicopter rides. The crash also colors her relationships: she hesitates to trust Nate again because he left her after the crash without a way to reach him. Her decision to board a flight to the Maldives in Chapter Thirty-Three represents a conscious choice to overcome that fear.

  3. How does Nate’s role as a rescuer during the crash foreshadow his behavior later in the story?
    During the crash, Nate checks on Izzy, unbuckles her seat belt, and pulls her from the plane. His instinct to protect remains central to his character. In Afghanistan, he refuses to assign another guard to Izzy, saying he is willing to die for her. The crash establishes the template: Nate is the person who keeps Izzy safe even at great personal cost.

  4. Compare the symbolic meaning of the plane in the 2011 crash and the final flight in Chapter Thirty-Three. What has changed?
    In 2011, the plane is a site of disaster and randomness—a place where Izzy is terrified and Nate is a stranger. The crash represents danger, loss of control, and a beginning they do not choose. In Chapter Thirty-Three, the plane is a deliberate choice. Izzy boards because she trusts Nate, and Nate switches flights to join her. The plane becomes a vehicle for their reunion and a symbol of their commitment to stop leaving things to fate. The fear has not vanished, but it is now partnered with hope.