Mayday Season 15 Episode 10 Stormy Cockpit

Mayday is a Canadian documentary television series that explores the events leading up to major air disasters and the subsequent investigations into the causes of these tragedies. Season 15, episode 10 is titled "Stormy Cockpit" and delves into the catastrophic crash of a passenger jet in Greece.

On March 3, 2016, Flydubai Flight 981 was en route from Dubai to Rostov-on-Don in Russia when it crashed during a second attempt at landing. All 62 passengers and crew on board were killed. The episode looks into the stormy conditions that the pilots were facing and the decisions that were made in the cockpit leading up to the crash.

The episode begins with footage of the crash site and the harrowing aftermath of the disaster. Then it goes back in time to examine the events leading up to the flight, including the weather conditions and the route that the plane was scheduled to take.

As the plane approaches Rostov-on-Don, the pilots are warned of strong winds and tailwinds that could make the landing very difficult. The co-pilot expresses concerns about the weather and asks if they should divert to an alternate airport. The captain decides to proceed with the landing, stating that it is within the plane's capabilities. However, as they make their landing approach, the winds increase even further, causing the plane to descend rapidly.

The cockpit voice recorder provides crucial insight into the final moments of the flight. The pilots are heard discussing the altitude and their approach, as well as several warnings from the plane's automated systems. As the plane descends, the pilots become increasingly agitated and confused, and their communication becomes more difficult to understand.

As the plane approaches the runway, it is travelling too fast and at too steep an angle. The cockpit voice recorder reveals the sound of impact as the plane slams into the ground. The crash is catastrophic, with the plane breaking into pieces and catching fire.

The episode then explores the investigation into the crash, which was complicated by the fact that the black box data was partially corrupted. The investigators had to use alternative methods to piece together what happened in the cockpit leading up to the crash.

Forensic analysis of the wreckage reveals a number of factors that contributed to the crash, including the difficult weather conditions, the pilots' decision to continue with the landing, and errors made in the cockpit during the final moments of the flight. The investigation also uncovers a potential flaw in the plane's design, which may have further contributed to the disaster.

"Stormy Cockpit" is a harrowing episode that explores the devastating consequences of a chain of errors and misjudgments in the cockpit of a passenger jet. By examining the evidence and testimony of those involved in the investigation, the episode provides an in-depth analysis of the complex series of events that ultimately led to the deaths of 62 people.