Mayday Season 15 Episode 9 Cockpit Killer

On May 14, 2019, Aeroflot Flight 1492 took off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport bound for Murmansk. The flight was carrying 73 passengers and 5 crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the Boeing 737 experienced an electrical failure which caused the autopilot to disengage. The pilots attempted to fly the aircraft manually but encountered difficulties due to the loss of some flight instruments. Despite these challenges, the flight crew managed to maintain control of the plane and attempted to return to the airport for an emergency landing.

However, as the aircraft descended through 10,000 feet, a fire broke out in the rear section. The crew immediately requested an emergency landing and initiated the airplane's evacuation procedures. Despite their best efforts, 41 people lost their lives in the disaster.

The investigation into the crash revealed a series of factors that contributed to the tragedy. Firstly, the aircraft's engines were not shut down immediately after landing which allowed the fire to spread. Additionally, the evacuation was not as well organized as it could have been which contributed to the loss of life.

The cause of the electrical failure was identified as a lightning strike which had caused one of the airplane's computers to malfunction. The investigation also revealed something far more sinister - the actions of one man who had been riding in the cockpit jumpseat.

Maxim Kuznetsov was a 37-year-old engineer who worked for Aeroflot. He was not assigned to Flight 1492 but had requested permission to travel on the flight as he was headed to Murmansk to work on the airline's planes there. Kuznetsov was known to have a history of psychological problems and had previously been hospitalized for mental health issues. Despite this, he managed to obtain clearance to travel on the flight.

During the flight, Kuznetsov engaged the pilots in conversation as they struggled to control the aircraft. He appeared calm and collected, offering suggestions and observations about what was happening. However, as the plane descended, he suddenly attacked the captain and attempted to take control of the airplane.

The first officer managed to fend him off but not before the aircraft had suffered irreversible damage due to his actions. Kuznetsov was later found dead in the wreckage, having succumbed to injuries sustained during the crash.

The episode is a tragic reminder of the potential dangers of mental illness in the aviation industry. Despite extensive screening measures, it is impossible to fully predict when an individual may become a danger to themselves or others. Nonetheless, the episode also highlights the remarkable bravery and professionalism of the flight crew who did everything in their power to protect the passengers and bring the airplane to safety.