Mayday Season 13 Episode 5 Deadly Pitch

On the 5th episode of Mayday's 13th season, titled "Deadly Pitch," we follow the tragic events of the Lamia Flight 2933 crash that took place on November 28, 2016. The flight was carrying 77 passengers and crew, including members of the Chapecoense soccer team from Brazil, who were traveling to play in the biggest game in the team's history.

The episode begins with the takeoff of the flight from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and immediately dives into the communication between the cockpit and air traffic control. The crew repeatedly requests clearance for priority landing due to an onboard emergency, but traffic control denies the request due to other flights diverting on the same airway. Eventually, the pilots can no longer communicate with the air traffic controller, and their radio goes silent.

As rescue teams rush to the scene, the show delves into the investigation process, with experts analyzing the flight’s data recorders, cockpit voice recorder, and debris. They ultimately discover that the flight’s fuel supply was much lower than needed.

The episode digs deeper into the investigation and shows how the pilots failed to properly calculate fuel consumption. They also made the mistake of not stopping at the required refueling point, which would have allowed them sufficient fuel for the flight. The flight crew was found to be under significant stress and fatigue, which contributed to their mistakes.

Mayday's experts piece together the events that led to the tragic crash, and it becomes clear that it was avoidable. The loss of the Chapecoense soccer team and the others on board was utterly heartbreaking.

The episode also explores the aftermath of the tragedy, including the rebuilding of the Chapecoense soccer club by bringing in new players and a tribute match held in honor of the lost team members. We see firsthand the devastating impact this crash had on the families, friends, and teammates of those who didn't survive.

Ultimately, "Deadly Pitch" gives a detailed account of the chain of events that led to this tragedy and makes it clear that it could have been prevented. The episode highlights the importance of proper fuel calculations, refueling stops, proper communication between the crew and air traffic control, and taking steps to reduce stress and fatigue in pilots. It's a sobering but important reminder of the importance of safety and attention to detail in aviation.