RE: Plane uncontrolled

well when an aircraft looses contact with the ATC, it is supposed to land imigately at the nearest airport and the ATC is supposed to keep the skies clear for the distressed aircraft, although in this story, you have mentioned time for waiting as 60 minutes which is rather too much. I dont think the airline was trying to hide a fault in the a/c, that is actually an offence in the FAA book. B717 had some problems when the upgradtion form the MD 82 was offered to Boeing to make B717, but those problems were restricted to the rudder and the fuel lines. So i dont think anythin was wrong with your a/c….some miscomunication or really some major problem with the Challenger.