Ep 10. Death of a President

On this episode of Air Disasters, titled "Death of a President," viewers will be transported back to the year 1994 when Rwanda was in the throes of civil war. In this episode, we'll look at the tragedy that befell the presidential plane carrying the leaders of two African countries on April 6, 1994, which led to one of the most devastating genocides in the twentieth century.

The plane was a Falcon 50, belonging to the Rwandan Air Force and was on its way back to the capital city of Kigali from Tanzania, where the presidents of the neighboring countries, Rwanda and Burundi, had attended a regional summit. The flight crew and passengers on board had no idea of the impending danger they were facing as they approached the Kigali airport. However, what followed was a sudden, catastrophic disaster that would leave the world in shock for years to come.

Viewers will witness a detailed account of what really happened on that fateful day, and how the tragic events that followed, forever changed the political landscape of Rwanda and Burundi. Through interviews with survivors, air crash investigators, and aviation experts, this episode stands out as a harrowing account of not only an air disaster but the political unrest surrounding it.

We'll start at the beginning, and viewers will be introduced to the two presidents who were traveling together on that day. The Rwandan President, Juvenal Habyarimana, was on board with his Burundian counterpart, Cyprien Ntaryamira. Both were returning from a regional summit in Tanzania, where they had talked about restoring diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries. The plane was piloted by French nationals, who had already flown this route several times before, and were familiar with the area.

As the plane approached the airport at Kigali, it started experiencing technical difficulties. The pilots' attempts to radio for help fell on deaf ears, and the plane crashed into the gardens of the presidential palace, instantly killing everyone on board, including the two Presidents. The events that followed were disastrous, leading to the deaths of nearly one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

Through vivid reenactments and expert commentary, viewers will experience the terrifying moments leading up to the plane crash. We'll delve into the investigation that followed shortly after the accident, which, in turn, raised questions about the Rwandan Genocide. French judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere, attempted to determine who was responsible for the plane crash ten years after the event.

This episode of the Air Disasters series will explore the insights gleaned from the crash investigation, including the discovery of a missile launcher debris at the scene of the crash - which shed light on the details of the incident. Viewers will get an in-depth look at the complicating factors contributing to the crash, including the French military's secret involvement in the conflict and the claims that the missile was fired from either their embassy or one of their military installations.

This episode stands out amidst the series’ usual focusses on purely aviation disasters, by taking a broader approach and looking at the political, social, and humanitarian impact of the incident on the African continent. The events of the tragic plane crash shine a light on the terrible outcomes that can arise from political unrest coupled with technical mishaps.

Overall, "Death of a President" is an insightful episode that provides new perspectives on the Rwandan Genocide and the events that followed. It is not an easy-watching episode, as it lays bare the devastating human toll of politics gone so wrong. The episode demonstrates that transportation accidents are not just about mechanical failures, technical faults, or human error - but that geopolitical upheaval can also cause tragedies in the sky. If you are intrigued by mysteries of air disasters and how they influence the society, this one is a must-watch.