Mayday Season 3 Episode 10 African Hijack

African Hijack is the tenth episode of season three of the popular air disaster investigation series, Mayday. This episode focuses on the terrifying hijacking of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 on November 23, 1996.

The flight, which was headed to Nairobi, Kenya, from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was carrying 175 passengers and crew. Just 30 minutes into the flight, three hijackers took control of the aircraft, demanding that it be flown to Australia. However, due to a miscalculation by the hijackers, the plane ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean off the coast of Comoros, a small island nation near Madagascar.

As the episode progresses, viewers are taken on a journey through the events leading up to the hijacking, including interviews with family members of the passengers and crew and footage of the aircraft's takeoff. The investigation team also examines the motives of the hijackers and their history of involvement with an extremist group.

The hijackers were ultimately successful in their attempt to take over the aircraft and dismissed the cabin crew, forcing the pilots to land the airliner in Australia. However, when it became apparent that there was not enough fuel to make it to Australia, the hijackers ordered the pilots to make an emergency landing in the Comoros. The pilots attempted to reason with the hijackers, but their demands were not met, and the plane crashed into the Indian Ocean.

The episode goes on to explore the aftermath of the disaster, including the search and rescue mission that saved the lives of dozens of passengers and crew. The investigation team pieces together clues from the wreckage to determine what went wrong and uncover the causes of the crash.

Throughout the episode, viewers are offered a glimpse into the lives of the passengers and crew members who lost their lives in the tragedy, as well as the heroic efforts of the survivors and rescuers who risked their own lives to help those in need. Ultimately, the episode serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of aviation safety, and the ongoing efforts of the industry to ensure that such disasters are never repeated.

In conclusion, African Hijack is a compelling episode of Mayday that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats as the investigation team works to uncover the causes of this devastating air disaster. Through interviews with family members, survivors, and investigators, viewers are given a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to the hijacking, as well as the heroic efforts of those involved in the aftermath of the tragedy. Overall, the episode is a moving tribute to the lives lost and a powerful reminder of the importance of aviation safety.