Ep 9. Under Pressure

On the 9th episode of season 11 of Mayday, titled "Under Pressure," viewers are taken on a harrowing journey that delves into the catastrophic failure of a commercial airliner's engine. The episode begins in October 2014 with AirAsia Flight 8501 departing from Surabaya, Indonesia, en route to Singapore with 162 people on board.

As the Airbus A320 ascends to cruising altitude, it encounters turbulence and heavy thunderstorms. Soon after, the crew of Flight 8501 requests a deviation course for a higher altitude due to weather, but air traffic control denies the request and advises them to maintain their current altitude. However, the pilots, Captain Iriyanto and First Officer Remi Emmanuel Plesel, continue to climb, putting the aircraft under additional stress and strain.

Suddenly, the first officer hears a loud noise, followed by vibrations and a sudden loss of control. The plane is in danger, but the captain attempts to regain control of the aircraft. However, it's too late. The plane is rapidly descending, and the pilots struggle to level out and stabilize the A320.

As the situation worsens, the pilots try to remedy the situation by deploying emergency procedures. However, it's too late, and the plane crashes into the Java Sea, killing everyone on board.

The episode goes on to investigate what went wrong in the cockpit of AirAsia Flight 8501, and how a seemingly small mechanical failure turned into a fatal disaster. Through interviews with aviation experts and in-depth analysis of the recovered flight data recorder, the show uncovers the series of events that led to the tragedy.

Additionally, the episode examines the various safety systems and mechanisms that are in place to prevent incidents like this from happening. The goal of the investigation is to inform viewers of the importance of aviation safety protocols and to ensure that incidents like this one never happen again.

Overall, the "Under Pressure" episode of Mayday Season 11 is a gripping story that showcases the complexity of the aviation industry and the immense responsibility that comes with flying commercial aircraft. Through a combination of expert analysis, stunning CGI re-enactments, and heart-wrenching survivor accounts, viewers are given a thorough understanding of what went wrong in this tragic incident. The episode serves as a cautionary tale, reminding viewers of the importance of safety protocols and the need for continuous training and development within the aviation industry.