Air Disasters Season 5 Episode 2 Speed Trap

On AIR DISASTERS season 5 episode 2 titled "Speed Trap," the documentary series plunges into the world of air traffic control and cockpits to reconstruct the events that led to a catastrophe in 1996. Alaska Airlines flight 261 is cruising at 31,000 feet when the plane jerks suddenly and then goes into a steep dive towards the Pacific Ocean. With a crew of two pilots, three flight attendants, and 83 passengers on board, the potential for disaster is enormous.

The episode begins by setting the scene of a beautiful day in Southern California, as the flight departs from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico en route to San Francisco, CA. The flight is uneventful for the first few hours, as the passengers relax and settle in. As the flight nears the California coast, the pilots receive a speed warning from the airplane's maintenance system. They notice that one of the plane's horizontal stabilizers is stuck in a neutral position, meaning that the speed of the plane will eventually cause it to lose altitude and possibly crash.

AIR DISASTERS takes us inside the cockpit to show the viewers how the pilots try to correct the issue. Despite the initial efforts to fix the situation, things quickly spiral out of control as the stabilizer jams completely. With the plane now uncontrollable, the pilots face a life-or-death situation as they try to navigate the plane to safety.

The show also explores how air traffic controllers on the ground attempt to help the flight. As soon as flight 261 deviates from its expected flight path, the ATC immediately tries to establish communication with the pilots. Although the pilots initially respond and sound calm, the situation is dire, and the plane's eventual crash becomes inevitable.

Throughout the episode, some of the surviving passengers and crew members give their accounts of the harrowing ordeal they went through. AIR DISASTERS introduces us to relatives and friends of the deceased passengers and crew members and shows us the impact the tragedy had on their lives. The episode skillfully weaves together onboard communication, air traffic control, and expert interviews to give viewers a comprehensive overview of the disaster.

"Speed Trap" is a gripping episode that keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats. It highlights the importance of proper maintenance procedures, the role of communication in a crisis, and the human cost of air disasters. This hour-long program is a must-watch for anyone interested in aviation history, air safety, and emergency response.