"Morgans" wrote
Such a typical news report, completely missing the understanding
of aircraft operation. Why don't they just ask someone?

Because of the reference to "thin air", I assumed that the
comment refered to a geared "two speed" supercharger being
stuck in second gear. We used to shift gears in T-28s that
used an R-1820 engine with a two speed supercharger. The
shift would take place somewhere between 10-14,000' during
climbout.

Bob Moore