Ep 3. The Killing Machine

In season 2 episode 3 of Mayday titled "The Killing Machine," viewers are taken on a gripping journey through the events that led to one of the most horrific aviation disasters in history. The episode explores the tragic events of September 14, 1993, when Lufthansa Flight 2904 crashed onto the runway at Warsaw International Airport in Poland, killing over 60 people.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the crew of Lufthansa Flight 2904, which included Captain Jürgen Schumann, First Officer Bernd Tietze, and Flight Engineer Wolfgang Gens. The crew were experienced professionals with decades of flying experience behind them, and they were piloting a brand-new Airbus A320-200 on a relatively routine flight from Germany to Poland.

As the plane approached Warsaw International Airport on that fateful day, however, things began to go horribly wrong. Despite the fact that the plane's computer systems were working normally, Captain Schumann and his crew found themselves struggling to maintain control of the aircraft as it descended through a thick layer of fog.

As they approached the runway, the crew suddenly realized that they were dangerously low on both fuel and altitude, and they desperately attempted to pull the plane up and abort the landing. Tragically, however, they were too low and too slow, and the plane crashed onto the runway, breaking apart in a fiery explosion.

In the aftermath of the crash, investigators struggled to piece together what had gone wrong. Initial reports suggested that the plane's computer systems may have malfunctioned, causing the crew to lose control of the aircraft. However, as investigators delved deeper into the case, they discovered something even more shocking - the plane's autopilot had been programmed with incorrect altitude and speed data, and the crew had not noticed until it was too late.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a gripping journey through the investigation into the crash, as investigators sift through the wreckage and piece together what really happened. As they examine the plane's black box recorders, they discover a series of alarming mistakes made by the crew, including failures to follow standard operating procedures and to communicate effectively with air traffic control.

Ultimately, the investigation reveals a shocking truth about the events that led to the crash. In a bid to save time and fuel, Captain Schumann had made a series of reckless decisions upon approaching the runway, including descending too quickly and failing to perform a proper go-around when the situation became dangerous. Meanwhile, First Officer Tietze had failed to notice the errors in the autopilot settings and had not alerted his captain to the fact that they were dangerously low on fuel and altitude.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers are left with a profound sense of sadness and loss as they remember the victims of this tragic event. However, they are also left with a newfound appreciation for the importance of proper pilot training and communication, as well as the vital role that aviation safety standards play in preventing future tragedies like this one.