Ep 3. Caution to the Wind

Caution to the Wind is an episode from the fourth season of the television show Air Disasters. The show explores various aviation disasters and accidents, analyzing the events leading up to the incident and the subsequent investigation that followed.

In this episode, the focus is on the crash of Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501. On December 28, 2014, the Airbus A320 carrying 162 passengers and crew members crashed into the Java Sea while en route from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore. The search and rescue operation lasted for more than two weeks but only a few victims were found.

The episode starts by discussing the weather conditions on the day of the flight. The plane was scheduled to depart at 5:30 a.m., but the departure was delayed by an hour due to the stormy weather. The captain, Iriyanto, was an experienced pilot with over 20,000 flight hours. He had also been the chief pilot for Indonesia AirAsia for seven years. His co-pilot was French national Remi Plesel, who had just over 2,000 flight hours.

The investigation revealed that the cause of the crash was a faulty component in the rudder system. The rudder is a vital part of the plane's structure as it helps the pilot control the direction of the aircraft. However, when the rudder malfunctioned, it caused the plane to go into an unusual position. Additionally, the pilots made a crucial mistake by trying to fix the problem in mid-air instead of following the standard procedure of turning off the autopilot and controlling the plane manually.

The episode features interviews with aviation experts and investigators who explain the technical aspects of the crash. They also discuss the importance of adhering to standard procedures to prevent accidents and how crucial communication is between pilots when it comes to following protocol.

The episode also explores the impact of the tragedy on the victims' families and friends. It features interviews with survivors and relatives of those who lost their lives in the crash. Their emotional stories provide a sobering reminder of the human toll of aviation accidents and highlight the importance of implementing measures to ensure passenger safety.

Overall, Caution to the Wind is a compelling and informative episode of Air Disasters that delves into the technical and human factors that can contribute to aviation accidents. It serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and the need for constant vigilance in ensuring passenger safety.