Ep 101. Cockpit Failure

Air Disasters is a documentary series that explores aircraft accidents, the contributing factors, and the subsequent investigations. In season 10, episode 101, titled Cockpit Failure, viewers are taken through the events leading up to the horrific crash of a Boeing 737-800 in Kazan, Russia.

The episode begins by introducing the main players in the tragedy, including the pilots, the air traffic controllers, and the passengers. It then delves into the history of the airline, Tatarstan Airlines, and its safety record. Viewers learn that the airline had a poor safety record and had been banned from flying to the European Union due to safety concerns.

The episode then details the flight itself, which took off from Moscow's Domodedovo airport bound for Kazan. As the plane approached Kazan, the pilots attempted to make a landing, but something went terribly wrong. The plane crashed into the runway, killing all 50 people onboard.

Through interviews with aviation experts, investigators, and witnesses, the show pieces together what went wrong in the cockpit. Viewers learn that the pilot had a history of performance issues and had failed his pilot checkride multiple times. He was also known to be confrontational with his co-pilot and had been reprimanded for it in the past.

As the flight neared Kazan, the captain handed control of the aircraft to the co-pilot, who was less experienced. When the co-pilot attempted to make a landing, he pulled the control column back too far, causing the plane to stall. The captain, who had taken control of the plane moments earlier, failed to take corrective action, and the plane crashed into the runway at a speed of over 400 kilometers per hour.

The episode provides a detailed analysis of the physical and human factors that contributed to the accident. It also examines the role that fatigue, training, and communication played in the tragedy. Through interviews with family members of the victims, the show highlights the devastating impact that the crash had on their lives.

Overall, Cockpit Failure is a gripping and informative episode that sheds light on the complex and often tragic world of aviation accidents. Through detailed reconstructions, expert interviews, and emotional testimonies, the show provides a compelling and thought-provoking examination of what can go wrong when factors such as human error, mechanical failure, and operational issues intersect in the aviation industry.