Mayday Season 3 Episode 8 Bomb on Board
- February 28, 2006
- 50 min
Mayday is a Canadian documentary television series that explores true events of aviation disasters and investigates the causes behind them. Season 3 episode 8, titled "Bomb on Board," follows the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, which killed all 329 passengers and crew on board.
The episode begins by introducing the passengers and crew of the flight, which departed from Toronto, Canada, and was headed for Delhi, India with a stopover in London, England. The flight was carrying a mix of Canadian, Indian, and British passengers, including a number of young children and infants.
As the flight neared the coast of Ireland, a bomb hidden in a suitcase exploded in the cargo hold, causing the plane to break apart in mid-air. The wreckage scattered over the ocean, and debris from the plane and the passengers' personal belongings were found floating for miles.
The episode examines the investigation into the bombing, which took years to complete. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) worked together to identify the culprits and bring them to justice.
The investigation uncovered evidence of a sophisticated plot orchestrated by Sikh extremists based in Canada. The group had purchased the bomb components and planted them in a suitcase on the flight, intending to take revenge on the Indian government for its persecution of Sikhs.
The episode also discusses the political and cultural tensions within the Sikh community at the time, which contributed to the extremists' motivations for committing the attack.
Through interviews with aviation experts, investigators, and family members of the victims, the episode explores the many factors that led to the tragedy - from the lax security protocols that allowed the bomb to be loaded onto the plane, to the political and cultural circumstances that fueled the extremists' hatred.
Overall, Mayday season 3 episode 8, "Bomb on Board," provides a gripping and emotional account of one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in aviation history. The episode highlights the importance of rigorous security measures and careful investigation in preventing future tragedies, while also recognizing the profound impact that such events can have on the lives of those affected.