Ep 3. I'm the Problem

In season 3 episode 3 of AIR DISASTERS, titled "I'm the Problem," viewers witness the investigation into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409. The flight took off from Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, on January 25, 2010, with 90 passengers and crew members on board. The flight was bound for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, but tragically crashed into the Mediterranean Sea just minutes after takeoff.

The episode begins with a reenactment of the moments leading up to the crash. As the airplane gains altitude, the crew members hear a series of loud bangs. The captain quickly realizes that there is a problem with the aircraft, but hesitates to declare an emergency. He attempts to turn the plane around and land back at the airport, but it is too late. The airplane crashes into the water, killing everyone on board.

The investigation into the crash is led by the Lebanese government, with assistance from Ethiopian and French officials. From the beginning, it is clear that the crash was caused by a mechanical failure. But the question remains: what caused the failure?

The first clue comes from the flight data recorder, which shows that the airplane's control surfaces were not working properly. The investigators suspect that the problem may be related to the airplane's pitch control system, which is responsible for adjusting the aircraft's angle of ascent and descent. They also discover that the airplane had undergone a routine inspection just 11 hours before the flight, but no problems were reported.

As the investigation progresses, the focus shifts to the maintenance crew that worked on the airplane. The team discovers that one of the mechanics had replaced a faulty sensor on the airplane's pitch control system just before the flight. They wonder if the mechanic installed the new sensor incorrectly, causing the pitch control system to malfunction.

In an effort to understand what went wrong, the investigators turn to the airplane's manufacturer, Boeing. They discover that the pitch control system on the airplane is a relatively new technology, and that there have been reported problems with the system on other airplanes. Boeing provides the investigators with valuable information about the system, including potential failure modes and recommended maintenance procedures.

Through a combination of forensic evidence, witness testimony, and expert analysis, the investigation ultimately leads to a startling conclusion. The maintenance crew did indeed install the new sensor incorrectly, causing the malfunction that led to the crash. But the investigators also discover that the mechanic who made the mistake had actually been hired just a few months earlier, and had only received minimal training on the aircraft. They conclude that the accident was not just the result of a maintenance error, but also a failure of the airline to properly train its employees.

The episode ends with a haunting reminder of the human toll of the accident. The families of the victims continue to mourn their loved ones, many of whom were returning home after working in Lebanon to help rebuild the country following years of war. The investigation reveals that their deaths were preventable, and highlights the importance of rigorous training and oversight in the aviation industry.