Mayday Season 5 Episode 10 Radio Silence

On Mayday Season 5 Episode 10, titled "Radio Silence," the show investigates the 1996 mid-air collision between Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 over Charkhi Dadri, India. The disaster claimed the lives of all 349 people on board both flights, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history.

The episode begins by recounting the events that led up to the collision, including miscommunication between air traffic control and the pilots of both planes. Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 was flying from New Delhi to Dhahran, while Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 was flying from Shymkent to Delhi. As they approached each other over Charkhi Dadri, the two planes collided at an altitude of 14,000 feet.

Eyewitnesses describe seeing a fireball in the sky as the planes collided and fell to the ground. The crash site was so remote that it took search and rescue teams hours to reach it, and they were horrified by the extent of the damage. The wreckage was spread over an area of 25 square kilometers, and it was clear that there were no survivors.

The investigation into the crash was complicated by the fact that the two planes were from different countries, and there were language barriers between the investigators and the witnesses. The episode shows how the investigators painstakingly pieced together the sequence of events leading up to the collision by examining the wreckage and recovering the flight data recorders from both planes.

One of the key factors that contributed to the accident was the failure of the air traffic control system to keep the two planes apart. The investigators discovered that the air traffic controller had told the pilots of Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 to descend to 14,000 feet, which put them on a collision course with Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907. However, the controller failed to inform the Kazakhstani pilots of the other plane's location, and they were not aware of the potential collision until it was too late.

Another factor that contributed to the accident was the lack of communication between the two planes. Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 was equipped with a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which alerted the pilots to the presence of the other plane. However, the pilots of Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 did not have a TCAS on their plane, and were relying on air traffic control to keep them safe.

The investigators also looked into the training and experience of the pilots involved in the crash. It was discovered that the captain of Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 had a history of disciplinary problems, and had been suspended from flying twice before. The captain of Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 was an experienced pilot, but he was under a lot of pressure to arrive at his destination on time, and may have been distracted by this.

The episode concludes with a look at the changes that were made in the aftermath of the crash. As a result of the investigation, changes were made to the air traffic control system in India to improve communication and prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. The episode also pays tribute to the victims of the crash, and shows how their families have coped with their loss over the years.

Overall, Mayday Season 5 Episode 10, "Radio Silence," provides a detailed and compelling account of one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history. The episode is a fitting tribute to the victims of the crash, and a reminder of the importance of effective communication and effective safety measures in the aviation industry.