Ep 2. Gimli Glider

In the second episode of Air Disasters season 1, titled "Gimli Glider," viewers are taken on a chilling journey of a mid-air emergency that takes place on July 23, 1983. Air Canada Flight 143, also known as the Gimli Glider, takes off from Montreal for a routine flight to Edmonton. The flight is being operated by a Boeing 767-200ER that has 69 passengers and crew members on board.

However, things start going wrong just minutes into the flight. The first sign of trouble comes when the cockpit alarms start blaring, indicating that there is a fuel shortage. The pilots then realize that there is a problem with the fuel gauges, and they have to rely on a manual calculation to determine how much fuel they have left. The pilots are initially worried that they do not have enough fuel to make it to their destination, but they maintain their composure and try to make the best of the situation.

Despite their best efforts, the fuel reserves continue to drop rapidly, and the pilots are forced to make an emergency landing at an abandoned Royal Canadian Air Force base in Gimli, Manitoba. The airstrip has been turned into a racing track, and the pilots have to creatively maneuver the aircraft to avoid obstacles such as cars and people on the ground.

The episode delves into the various factors that led to the incident, including the conversion of the metric system to imperial in the aviation industry, which caused confusion among the pilots and ground crew. It also examines the mistakes made by the mechanic who worked on the aircraft and the possibility of human error during the preflight checks.

The expert analysis by aviation investigators, combined with interviews with eyewitnesses and survivors, makes for a gripping and informative episode. It highlights the challenges faced by pilots when dealing with a mid-air emergency and the importance of clear communication and quick decision making in such situations.

Overall, the episode "Gimli Glider" is a riveting and educational account of a real-life aviation disaster. It keeps the audience on the edge of their seats and provides valuable insights into the workings of the aviation industry.