Ep 3. Deadly Myth

On this episode of Air Disasters, titled "Deadly Myth," viewers are taken through the harrowing events that led to the crash of FlyDubai Flight 981. The flight was scheduled to fly from Dubai to Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on March 19, 2016. The episode examines the numerous factors that contributed to the crash, including the weather at the time of the flight, the pilots' decision-making, and a dangerous myth that had been circulating among pilots for years.

The episode begins by describing the background of FlyDubai, a low-cost airline that had experienced rapid growth in the years leading up to the crash. The airline had a reputation for safety, but as the episode shows, even the most safety-conscious airlines can experience tragedy. As the flight took off from Dubai, a storm was brewing in the area, and the pilots were aware of the challenging conditions they would be facing. However, they were confident in their ability to manage the situation and believed that they could make it to Rostov as planned.

As the flight approached Rostov, the pilots were forced to make a series of critical decisions. The storm had intensified, and the visibility was severely limited. The pilots attempted to land the plane twice but were unsuccessful, despite the guidance of air traffic controllers. On their third attempt, disaster struck. The plane crashed into the ground, killing all 62 passengers and crew onboard.

In the aftermath of the crash, investigators were tasked with determining what had gone wrong. The episode delves into the painstaking process of piecing together the events leading up to the crash, including analyzing the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. The investigation revealed that several factors had contributed to the disaster, including the pilots' lack of sleep, the challenging weather conditions, and the fact that the pilots had not been adequately trained to handle the type of weather they encountered.

However, the episode's title refers to a dangerous myth that had been circulating among pilots for years and may have contributed to the crash. The myth is known as "the Russian reversal," and it involves pilots making a U-turn after aborting a landing attempt, rather than circling around to make another attempt. The notion was that this maneuver would be faster and safer than the traditional approach. However, the investigation into the FlyDubai crash found that this maneuver was not only dangerous but also likely contributed to the crash.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken through the emotional toll that the crash took on the families of the victims, as well as the efforts to improve aviation safety in its aftermath. The tragedy prompted a thorough reevaluation of safety protocols at FlyDubai and led to changes across the aviation industry.

In "Deadly Myth," Air Disasters offers a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by pilots and the importance of robust safety measures in aviation. The episode offers valuable insights into the factors that contribute to air disasters and serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing safety improvements in the industry.