Ep 1. Fight for Control

On the 4th season of the documentary series Air Disasters, episode 1 depicts a terrifying story of an airplane that encountered a fatal mechanical failure, leaving the pilots helpless in controlling the flight. The episode named "Fight for Control" centers around the tragic events of the American Airlines Flight 587.

The plane was on a routine flight from New York to the Dominican Republic when things took an unforeseen turn. In the opening segment of the episode, the audience is introduced to the flight and its passengers. The routine flight seemed uneventful until it suddenly veered off course and crashed into a residential neighborhood in Queens, New York. The crash claimed the lives of all 260 people on board and five individuals on the ground.

The episode takes a closer look at the investigation into the crash. Right away, investigators suspect that there was a crucial mistake made by the pilots during the flight. The first part of the investigation examines the maintenance history of the aircraft and whether it was a factor in the crash.

The investigation also delves into the plane's manufacturer, Airbus. The company was quick to conclude that the first officer's misuse of the rudder pedals caused the catastrophic crash. However, in-depth forensic research proves that this claim was false and that there was an error in the design of the rudder's hydraulic power control system.

The episode reveals how experts in the investigation team worked meticulously to recreate the events leading up to the crash. It explains how the plane had reached a high altitude and a speed of over 500 mph caused by the turbulent air. As horrific as it sounds, the pilots were trying to prevent the plane from falling apart when they lost control.

The documentary takes an incisive look at the psychological factors of pilots in that kind of high-stress scenario. After they lost control of the plane, the investigators discovered that the cockpit voice recorder captured the captain repeatedly telling the first officer to "pull it up," meaning to correct the altitude and aim for a climb. Still, the episodes revealed that the pilots' actions were not sufficient enough to control the flight.

The episode also showcases how the air traffic control and the investigators worked hand in hand to piece together the tragedy. One of the air traffic controllers recounts the moments leading up to the crash and expresses emotional trauma from the incident.

Finally, the conclusion of the episode showcases how the accident changed aviation safety standards. It highlights how the National Transportation Safety Board pushed for changes in the training of pilots, in-flight controls, and safety measures in aircraft design.

Overall, the episode is gut-wrenching, as it serves as a reminder of how unlucky mechanical failures can lead to catastrophic events. It also serves as a respectful tribute to the victims who lost their lives due to the incident. The episode successfully uncovers the flaws in the airplane's design and the subtle errors of the pilots, paving the way for better aviation safety guidelines and regulations.