Ep 7. Missing Pieces

In season 14 episode 7 of Air Disasters, titled "Missing Pieces," the focus is on a fatal 2014 incident involving a TransAsia Airways flight. The flight, with 58 passengers and crew members on board, crashed into the Keelung River shortly after takeoff from Taipei's Songshan Airport. The investigation into the crash reveals some troubling findings regarding the aircraft's maintenance and operational procedures.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the events that led up to the TransAsia Airways flight GE235 crash. In addition to the audio recordings of the cockpit and ATC conversations, the investigation team had access to footage captured by dashboard cameras and other cameras mounted along the flight path. The footage shows the aircraft's erratic flight path as it attempts to climb after takeoff and then banks hard to the left before eventually crashing into the river.

As investigators begin examining the wreckage, they discover that the left engine had actually failed just moments after takeoff. The right engine continued to operate normally, but the pilots responded to the emergency by shutting it down, rather than feathering the propeller to maintain balance. The decision to shut down the working engine led to the aircraft losing airspeed and altitude, ultimately leading to the crash.

However, the investigation team also discovers that the aircraft had a history of engine troubles, and TransAsia Airways had a poor safety record, with multiple accidents and incidents in the previous years. Maintenance and training practices were also found to be lacking, indicating a larger systemic issue within the company.

As the investigation continues, the team uncovers further troubling details. The captain of the ill-fated flight was found to have falsified his training records, and had no experience flying this type of aircraft. The first officer had a history of failing flight exams, and had only recently been cleared to fly the ATR-72, the type of aircraft involved in the crash. These findings raise questions about the airline's hiring and training practices, and the overall safety culture within the company.

Ultimately, the investigation concludes that the crash was caused by a combination of technical, operational, and human factors. The aircraft's maintenance and inspection practices were insufficient, the crew lacked the necessary training and experience to handle the emergency, and the company failed to address these issues even after previous incidents. The tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of maintaining and adhering to high safety standards in the aviation industry.

Through interviews with experts, audio recordings of cockpit and air traffic control conversations, and footage from cameras along the flight path, "Missing Pieces" provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of a preventable aviation disaster. The episode serves as a reminder of the many layers of safety and oversight that are necessary to ensure safe and reliable air travel.