Ep 5. Deadly Pitch

Air Disasters is a documentary-style television show that takes a deep dive into various aviation catastrophes, seeking to uncover the causes and lessons learned from each tragedy. Season 13 episode 5 focuses on a harrowing incident known as Deadly Pitch.

In this episode, viewers are transported back to October 31, 1994, when American Eagle Flight 4184 was en route from Indianapolis to Chicago. The flight was operated by a regional airline and was carrying 64 passengers and four crew members. As the plane approached its destination, it encountered severe weather conditions, including freezing rain and ice accumulation on the wings.

This type of weather can be incredibly dangerous for airplanes, as the ice can disrupt the delicate balance of airflow over the wings, causing them to lose lift and potentially leading to a stall. Despite the hazardous conditions, the flight crew continued their descent, but as they approached the airport, they were unable to fully extend the wing flaps and slats, which help to increase lift and decrease the plane's landing speed.

As a result, the plane's pitch - the angle of its nose in relation to the horizon - became increasingly steep, putting it on a collision course with the ground. Despite the pilots' efforts to correct the plane's trajectory, it ultimately crashed into a field near Roselawn, Indiana, killing everyone on board.

The episode offers a comprehensive look at the events leading up to and following the crash, highlighting the ways in which weather conditions, pilot error, and equipment malfunction all contributed to the tragedy. Experts provide detailed analysis of the plane's flight data recorder and cockpit voice recordings, shedding light on the split-second decisions that ultimately led to the loss of so many lives.

Throughout the episode, viewers are also given an in-depth look at the aftermath of the crash, including the investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board, which sought to determine the root causes of the disaster and make recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As with all episodes of Air Disasters, Deadly Pitch is a sobering reminder of the dangers inherent in air travel, and the importance of constant vigilance and diligence when it comes to aviation safety. Through its meticulous research and attention to detail, the show offers viewers important insights into the complexities of aviation disasters, helping to ensure that those who lost their lives in such tragedies did not do so in vain.