Ep 8. Lethal Limits

In season 13 episode 8 of Air Disasters, titled "Lethal Limits," viewers are taken through the harrowing events of a deadly plane crash that stems from a routine maintenance check before takeoff.

The episode begins with an overview of the aircraft involved, a Beechcraft Super King Air 200. The plane typically carries executive passengers on short regional flights, but on this day, it was headed for a remote mine in northern Canada to transport a crew of workers.

As the plane is being prepared for takeoff, the maintenance crew discovers a technical issue with the left engine's fuel control unit, which is responsible for regulating the flow of fuel into the engine. After being unable to fix the issue, the maintenance team opts to replace the unit altogether.

The crew records the replacement of the unit to comply with safety regulations and clears the aircraft for takeoff. However, it's not long after the plane takes to the air that the crew realizes something is wrong. The left engine is still under-performing, even with the new unit installed.

The pilot decides to turn the plane around and head back to the airport, but within moments, the left engine fails entirely. The plane begins to drift and lose altitude, and the crew quickly realizes they are in a dire situation.

The pilots attempt to land the plane in a nearby field, but it clips a tree and crashes, killing both crew members instantly. Investigating teams are at a loss, as the newly installed fuel control unit seems to have been installed with precision, and it passed all safety guidelines. It isn't until a few months later that a team of experts discovers that the maintenance crew's replacement of the fuel control unit had damaged some of the engine's internal wiring.

The damaged wiring caused a delay in fuel distribution to the engine, leading to its eventual failure mid-flight. The team concludes that the crew was unaware of the new wiring issue and, thus, had no way of catching it before the flight.

Throughout the episode, viewers learn about the standard procedures and protocols involved in aircraft maintenance, preparation, and flight checks. It's a tense, detailed account of the investigation, with many technical details provided by experts that illustrate the complexity of the case.

Overall, "Lethal Limits" is an informative, albeit heart-wrenching, episode that highlights how critical even minor maintenance procedures can be in ensuring safe flights. This episode is an excellent example of Air Disasters' unique ability to demystify air travel and provide insight into the complexities behind everyday travel.