Ep 6. Crash of the Concorde

In episode 6 of season 1 of Disasters Engineered, viewers are taken through the events leading up to and following the tragic crash of Air France Flight 4590, also known as the Crash of the Concorde.

The Concorde was a supersonic jet that promised to revolutionize air travel when it was introduced in the 1970s. But on July 25, 2000, a Concorde departing from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris crashed into a hotel shortly after takeoff, killing all 109 people on board and 4 people on the ground.

The episode delves into the complex web of factors that led to the crash, including the design flaws of the Concorde, the maintenance and repair work done on the plane, and the decisions of the flight crew. The investigation into the crash revealed that a strip of metal from a Continental Airlines DC-10 had fallen on the runway prior to the Concorde's departure, puncturing the Concorde's tire and leading to a chain of catastrophic events.

Viewers are taken through a step-by-step analysis of the crash, using computer-generated imagery to illustrate the sequence of events. The episode also features interviews with experts in aeronautics, aviation law, and air safety to help viewers understand the broader implications of the crash.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a sense of the human toll of the disaster. Survivors of the crash describe the fear and panic they experienced as the plane went down, and the families of the victims share their grief and frustration with the slow pace of justice.

Despite the many factors that contributed to the crash, the episode ultimately suggests that it was preventable. By ignoring warning signs and prioritizing profits over safety, those responsible for the Concorde's design and maintenance set the stage for disaster. The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in transportation and engineering.

Overall, episode 6 of Disasters Engineered provides a comprehensive and informative look at one of the most tragic air disasters in history. Through detailed analysis and personal accounts, viewers gain insight into the complex factors that led to the crash and the ongoing efforts to prevent similar disasters from occurring in the future.