Mayday Season 5 Episode 9 Who's at the Controls?

On Mayday season 5 episode 9 titled "Who's at the Controls?", viewers are taken on a gripping journey exploring the consequences of what can happen when pilots are not fully aware of the plane's condition. The episode focuses on the tragic crash of Crossair Flight 498, which occurred on November 24th, 2001, killing 24 people.

The episode begins with an overview of the mechanics and workings of an airplane's control system. The viewer is introduced to an ill-fated Crossair Flight 498, which took off from Berlin, Germany, and was bound for Zurich, Switzerland. The plane crash-landed near Zurich airport, killing all but 9 passengers on board.

The episode highlights the investigation that followed the crash, and how the experienced pilots of the aircraft lost control of the flight due to confusion about the plane's mechanical state. The viewer is taken through the process of the investigation, from the discovery of the wreckage to the retrieval of the flight data recorders.

Using a mix of interviews with aviation experts and those involved in the investigation, along with footage and audio recordings of the flight and rescue teams, viewers are taken through the process of piecing together the chain of events that led to the disaster.

One of the primary causes of the accident was found to be confusion among the pilots regarding the plane's new automated flight control system. The introduction of this system created a misunderstanding between the pilots' awareness of the plane's mechanical state and what the automated features were doing. The episode explores what role the airline's training protocols may have played, as well as the significance of the pilots' previous experience with the new automated control system.

The focus then shifts to the captain of the plane, who had recently returned from a lengthy medical leave. Interviews with those close to the pilot reveal personal and professional factors that may have contributed to his lack of awareness of the plane's processes. This leads to a discussion about the importance of mental health for pilots and how airlines should better support their employees in this area.

Overall, Mayday season 5 episode 9 is a sobering examination of the consequences of complacency and the failure to understand new airline technologies. The episode leaves viewers with a heightened awareness of the need for ongoing training and vigilance in the aviation industry, so that errors like this never happen again.