Ep 8. Fatal Focus

In Air Disasters season 15 episode 8, titled "Fatal Focus," viewers are taken through the harrowing events that led to the crash of a cargo plane in Afghanistan in April 2013. The episode examines how a sequence of small errors can quickly lead to catastrophic consequences when pilots lose situational awareness and become focused on a single task.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the crew of National Airlines Flight 102, a Boeing 747 that was transporting military vehicles and equipment from Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As the plane takes off, everything seems to be going smoothly, but soon after reaching cruising altitude, the crew suddenly hears a loud bang from the back of the plane.

At first, the crew thinks it may be a cargo door that has come loose, but they soon realize that something much more catastrophic has happened: the cargo has shifted in flight and is now pushing against the rear bulkhead of the plane. The crew quickly realizes that they are in a dangerous situation and need to make an emergency landing.

The episode details the various efforts made by the crew to stabilize the plane and prepare for the emergency landing, including attempts to shift the cargo back into place and release excess fuel. However, the situation on board quickly becomes dire as the crew struggles to keep the plane flying despite the weight of the cargo pushing against the rear of the plane.

At the heart of the episode is the concept of situational awareness, or the ability of pilots to maintain an accurate understanding of their surroundings and the status of their aircraft. In the case of Flight 102, the crew become so focused on trying to keep the plane flying that they lose sight of other critical factors, such as the altitude and airspeed of the plane.

As the plane approaches the Bagram Airfield for its emergency landing, the crew make a crucial mistake that ultimately leads to the plane's crash. Despite being warned by air traffic control that they are flying too low, the crew still attempt to land the plane. The plane strikes an earth berm at the end of the runway and breaks apart, killing all seven crew members on board.

Throughout the episode, experts and investigators provide insight into the factors that led to the crash of Flight 102, including the importance of maintaining situational awareness, the dangers of focusing too much on a single task, and the ways that human error can compound in high-stress situations.

"Fatal Focus" is a gripping and sobering episode that reminds viewers of the complex and high-stakes nature of air travel. By examining the chain of events that led to the catastrophic crash of Flight 102, the episode provides important lessons and insights into how tragedy can strike even the most experienced and diligent of pilots.