Air Disasters Season 6 Episode 6 Hanging by a Thread

On the sixth episode of season 6 of AIR DISASTERS, named Hanging by a Thread, viewers are taken through the harrowing tale of a 2005 crash involving a Boeing 737 operated by Indonesian airline Mandala Airlines. The plane took off from Medan, Indonesia, and was headed to the capital city of Jakarta, carrying 117 passengers and crew members.

As the plane ascended, passengers and crew members heard a loud bang, which was quickly followed by a sudden drop in altitude. The pilots struggled to control the plane, and it eventually crashed into a residential area just three minutes after take-off.

Through interviews with survivors and experts, as well as dramatic reenactments, the episode explores the cause of the crash. It is revealed that a critical component of the plane's tail, known as the horizontal stabilizer, had detached mid-flight due to corrosion. The loss of this component meant that the plane was uncontrollable, and the pilots had no chance of bringing it safely to the ground.

The episode also examines the aftermath of the crash, including the rescue efforts and investigations launched to determine what went wrong. As always, the show provides viewers with a comprehensive overview of the incident, including eye-opening information about the science and engineering behind air travel.

Overall, Hanging by a Thread is a gripping episode of AIR DISASTERS that showcases the skill and courage of the pilots and air traffic controllers involved, while also highlighting the importance of regular aircraft maintenance and safety checks.