Ep 10. Ghost Plane

Air Disasters is a gripping documentary series that investigates and analyzes aviation disasters that have occurred in the past. The episodes showcase the causes and aftermath of the catastrophes, and also highlight the efforts made by aviation experts to improve safety and prevent future incidents.

Season 7 episode 10, titled “Ghost Plane”, explores the mysterious disappearance of a Helios Airways Flight 522 in Greece on August 14th, 2005. The flight was traveling from Cyprus to Greece with 115 passengers and 6 crew members on board, when it suddenly lost communication with air traffic control.

The episode begins with a reconstruction of the fateful day, using real-time transcripts of conversations between the air traffic controller and the pilots. The recordings reveal that the pilots were unaware that the cabin had depressurized, and could not respond to the controller’s attempts to communicate with them. They had fallen unconscious due to lack of oxygen, leaving the aircraft on autopilot.

As the plane continued to fly on its predetermined route, alarms and warnings alerted air traffic control and authorities that something was amiss. Jets were scrambled to intercept the plane, but their attempts to establish contact with the pilots were futile. As hours went by, the fuel levels depleted and the plane eventually crashed into a remote mountain area, killing all on board.

The episode continues to investigate the reasons behind the tragic incident, and reveals a series of errors and oversights that ultimately led to the loss of the aircraft. The first major oversight was the failure of the ground crew to properly transfer the auxiliary power unit (APU) switch from the ‘ON’ position to the ‘AUTO’ position, which prevented the APU from starting automatically after takeoff. This resulted in the loss of air conditioning and cabin pressurization, leading to the crew and passengers becoming incapacitated.

Another factor that contributed to the disaster was the lack of communication between the pilots, who were flying together for the first time. This led to confusion and misinterpretation of the pre-flight procedures and checklists, causing them to overlook critical steps that could have prevented the incident.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed that Helios Airways had a poor safety record, with a number of previous incidents that were overlooked and not addressed. The airline had also been struggling financially, leading to cost-cutting measures that compromised safety standards.

The episode also highlights the efforts made by aviation authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) introduced a new set of regulations for air operators, aiming to improve safety management and reduce the risk of accidents. Crew resource management (CRM) training was also made mandatory for all pilots, emphasizing communication, teamwork, and decision making skills.

Overall, the episode sheds light on the tragedy of Helios Airways Flight 522, and how it could have been prevented with proper safety measures and oversight. It showcases the importance of communication, teamwork, and adherence to safety protocols in the aviation industry. The show is a must-watch for aviation enthusiasts, as well as anyone interested in understanding the complexities of aviation disasters and their aftermath.