Ep 10. Slam Dunk

In season 19 episode 10 of Air Disasters, titled "Slam Dunk," we delve into the tragic events that led to the death of 107 people on board a Boeing 737 aircraft. The plane was on its way from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to Tunis, Tunisia, when disaster struck.

The episode opens with a recreation of the flight, showing the passengers boarding the aircraft and getting settled into their seats. The crew goes through their pre-flight checks, and everything appears to be in order. The plane takes off without incident, and initially, the flight is smooth and uneventful.

However, things take a dramatic turn about 50 minutes into the flight. One of the engines suddenly fails, creating a loud bang and jolting the entire aircraft. The crew quickly realizes the severity of the situation and begins to work to regain control of the plane.

The pilots manage to keep the aircraft level, but they soon discover that their landing gear has become stuck in the down position. This makes it nearly impossible to gain altitude and get the plane under control.

As the situation worsens, the crew determines that they must make an emergency landing. They begin to prepare the passengers for impact, going over emergency procedures and instructing them to brace for impact.

Despite their best efforts, the landing is not successful. The aircraft crashes into the sea, breaking apart on impact. All 107 people on board are killed.

The episode then explores the investigation that followed the crash. Investigators were able to recover the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which provided crucial information about what happened on board the doomed flight. Through these recordings, they were able to determine that the cause of the crash was a mechanical failure in one of the plane's engines.

The investigation also revealed several contributing factors that made the situation even worse. For example, the crew was not adequately trained to handle the specific type of emergency that they encountered. Additionally, the airline had a poor safety record and had not implemented necessary safety procedures.

Overall, the episode provides a detailed and emotional look at a tragic air disaster. It highlights the importance of thorough safety procedures and proper training for airline crew members. The episode serves as a sobering reminder of the potential risks involved in air travel and the importance of constant vigilance and attention to detail in the aviation industry.