According to witnesses, Preoteasa was the only person standing at the time, telling others that he was glad not to have been asked to wear a seat belt; when control of the airplane was lost, he remarked, probably in jest, "This was not in the schedule", which were to be his last words.
Eyewitnesses stated Preoteasa was the only person standing at the time, expressing relief that he hadn't been asked to wear a seatbelt. When the plane lost control, he made a comment, likely in jest, "This wasn't supposed to happen," which would be his last words.