Ep 3. Fatal Approach

In season 13 episode 3 of Air Disasters titled Fatal Approach, viewers are taken on a gripping journey through the investigation of a tragic crash involving a commercial airliner. The episode explores the events leading up to the disaster and the painstaking efforts to determine the cause after the fact.

The episode starts with a routine flight from Beirut, Lebanon, to Baghdad, Iraq. The aircraft, a Boeing 737, was carrying 148 passengers and crew members. However, during the descent into Baghdad, something goes terribly wrong. The plane crashes into the ground, killing everyone on board.

The investigators are thrust into action, and they begin to piece together the events leading up to the crash. They quickly realize that the weather played a significant role in the disaster. High winds and poor visibility made for a treacherous landing, and the pilots struggled to keep the plane on course.

The team examines the weather reports and discovers that the winds were gusting at over 40 knots, which is far beyond the 30-knot limit for landing a 737. They also learn that the air traffic control tower had warned the pilots of the challenging conditions but that the pilots had decided to continue with the landing anyway.

The investigation team also delves into the pilots' training and backgrounds. They discover that the captain had extensive experience flying the 737 and had previously flown for the military. In contrast, the co-pilot was relatively inexperienced but had a good track record with the airline.

As the investigation progresses, the team discovers that the pilots' lack of communication may have been a crucial factor in the disaster. They learn that the captain had made several decisions without consulting the co-pilot or the air traffic control tower. Furthermore, the co-pilot had not been assertive enough in questioning the captain, despite knowing that the conditions were dangerous.

The team's forensic analysis of the plane's flight recorder and cockpit voice recorder provides invaluable insight into the final moments of the flight. They discover that the plane had descended too fast and had overshot the runway. The investigators also learn that the pilots failed to deploy the spoilers, which help to slow the plane down during landing.

In the end, the investigation team determines that the crash was the result of several factors, including the high winds and poor visibility, the pilots' lack of communication, and their failure to follow standard procedures. The team presents their findings to the airline, and the airline takes steps to improve its pilot training and safety protocols to prevent future accidents.

Fatal Approach is a gripping and insightful episode of Air Disasters that highlights the complexity of air crash investigations. It illustrates the importance of thorough analysis and attention to detail in determining the cause of catastrophic accidents. The episode also serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to improve airline safety and prevent future tragedies.