Ep 1. Deadly Silence

In the inaugural episode of the tenth season of Air Disasters, the investigation team delves into one of the most perplexing incidents in aviation history, the 1996 mid-air collision over India. The accident involves two aircraft, a Boeing 747-200 operated by Saudi Arabian Airlines and a Kazakhstani Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane, carrying mostly Kazakhstani soldiers on board.

The show takes the viewers back in time to the fateful day of November 12, 1996, when the two planes took off from Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport in Mumbai. The Saudi Arabian Airlines flight SV763 was en route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, while the Kazakhstani Air Force flight KZA1907 was heading to New Delhi via Mumbai. Both planes were flying at cruising altitude, which is typically around 35,000 feet.

The flight radar records indicate that the two planes were on collision course, but neither flight crew was aware of the impending danger. Air traffic controllers in the Mumbai area made several attempts to contact the crew of the Saudi Arabian Airlines flight to warn them about the possibility of a collision, but they received no response. The investigation team pieces together the events leading up to the accident and the detailed reconstruction of the mid-air collision.

The episode titled "Deadly Silence" focuses on the reasons for the communication breakdown between the air traffic controllers and the flight crew of the Saudi Arabian Airlines flight. The investigation team examines the audio recordings of the cockpit voice recorder to try and discern the reason for the lack of communication. Was it a language barrier issue, technical malfunction, or sheer neglect on the part of the flight crew?

As the experts sift through the evidence, the audience gets a glimpse into the complexities of air traffic control and the importance of effective communication in aviation. They also explore the limitations of aviation technology at the time and the important changes that were introduced in the safety protocols in the aftermath of the crash.

Through interviews with aviation experts, air traffic controllers, surviving family members, and reconstruction of the scene, they uncover the possible causes of the accident. They also examine the gruesome aftermath of the crash, the heroic acts of the nearby villages and the fine balance between preserving the evidence and showing compassion towards the victims.

The season premier of Air Disasters season 10 episode 1 "Deadly Silence" demonstrates yet again the importance of identifying accidents’ root causes and highlights the significance of investing in aviation safety protocols to prevent future disasters. It’s a must-watch for aviation enthusiasts, professionals, families of victims, or anyone interested in the science behind disaster prevention and rescue.