Ep 2. Terror in San Francisco

On the second episode of AIR DISASTERS season 9 titled "Terror in San Francisco," the show delves into the tragic events that unfolded on January 14, 2008, when a flight from South Korea crash-landed at San Francisco International Airport. The episode begins with the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 preparing to land after a long 10-hour journey from Seoul. The flight was carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew members, and everything appears to be going smoothly until the last few moments of the approach.

The investigation team starts with reconstructing the accident and gathering evidence from the crash site. They analyze the debris field, interview eyewitnesses, dissect the black box recordings and radar data, and examine the wreckage to determine the cause of the accident. The team follows the trail of clues and evidence, which ultimately leads them to a shocking conclusion- that this accident was not caused by mechanical failure or an external threat, but by human error.

As the investigation progresses, the show highlights the crucial role of air traffic control in ensuring the safety of commercial flights. The episode explores how the air traffic controllers were managing the heavy air traffic at San Francisco International Airport at the time, and how their decisions and actions influenced the course of events. The show also examines how the pilots of Flight 214 were communicating with the air traffic controllers, and how they made crucial errors in the last moments of the flight that led to the crash.

Throughout the episode, AIR DISASTERS expounds on the importance of following standard procedures and protocols in aviation and how failing to do so can have disastrous consequences. The investigation reveals that the pilots of Flight 214, instead of following the standard landing protocol, relied on an automated system too heavily, which caused them to lose situational awareness and make critical errors while attempting to land the plane. As the team digs deeper, they discover a deeper problem in the airline industry: insufficient training and experience among pilots.

The episode's climax comes as the investigators reach their ultimate conclusion- that the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 was entirely avoidable. The show examines the various steps that could have been taken to prevent the disaster, and the measures taken by authorities to ensure such incidents never occur again. It concludes by detailing the technological advancements in airplane technology specifically designed to prevent accidents caused by human error.

Terror in San Francisco is a harrowing account of how a combination of bad decisions and automation failure led to a catastrophic disaster. The episode provides a gripping insight into the complexities of modern-day aviation and highlights the importance of safety in air travel. With in-depth analysis, gripping visuals and expert commentary, the episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in aviation safety.