Ep 8. Imperfect Pitch

Imperfect Pitch is an episode from the fifth season of the popular documentary series, Air Disasters. The show explores the causes behind some of the most catastrophic air accidents in history using sophisticated computer graphics, dramatic re-enactments, and interviews with aviation experts and crash survivors.

In this episode, the focus is on the crash of a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 airliner in Little Rock, Arkansas, that killed all 11 people on board. The plane was owned and operated by American Eagle Airlines, a regional carrier that was affiliated with American Airlines at the time of the accident.

The flight, which originated from Chicago, Illinois, was a routine commuter service to Little Rock that had an uneventful departure and climb-out. However, as the plane approached the Little Rock Regional Airport, the pilots began to experience difficulties with the aircraft's automatic altitude control system, which was designed to maintain a steady altitude in the face of changing atmospheric conditions.

The first sign of trouble occurred when the plane began to pitch nose-down for no apparent reason. The pilots struggled to correct the problem by manually adjusting the controls, but their efforts were in vain. As the plane descended rapidly, they made a distress call to the air traffic control tower and requested permission to return to the airport.

At this point, the situation became critical. The pilots had lost control of the aircraft, and it was hurtling towards the ground at an alarming rate. Despite the efforts of the air traffic controllers to guide them in, the plane crashed just a few miles short of the runway, killing everyone on board.

The subsequent investigation into the accident uncovered a number of factors that contributed to the crash. First and foremost was a malfunction in the pitch control system of the DC-9, which caused it to pitch downwards uncontrollably. Several maintenance issues with the plane were also identified, including an improperly installed accelerometer and a missing screw in the altitude control system. The pilot's decision to try to fix the problem instead of performing an emergency landing was also deemed a contributing factor.

Ultimately, Imperfect Pitch serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of proper maintenance, rigorous training, and clear communication in the aviation industry. As aviation technology continues to advance, it's crucial that pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers work together to ensure the safety of everyone on board.