Ep 2. Falling From the Sky

After a small period of hiatus, the highly acclaimed docu-series Air Disasters returns with a new episode titled "Falling From the Sky" that delves into the harrowing story of a commercial flight that went wrong, resulting in the loss of all passengers and crew members. The episode is a part of the seventh season of the show and portrays a vivid account of the events that led to the fatal crash.

"Falling From the Sky" highlights the story of TransAsia Airways Flight 222, a domestic flight in Taiwan that departed from Kaohsiung International Airport, headed towards the island of Penghu in 2014. The flight was carrying 58 passengers and crew members on board. As the aircraft approached Magong Airport, which was a challenging and narrow runway, it encountered severe weather conditions.

The air traffic controller had warned the captain about the potential danger of the thunderstorms and tumultuous winds, but the captain decided to carry on with the approach. The flight was then caught in a downdraft caused by the storm and struck trees, electricity poles, and buildings before crashing into the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and a massive fireball was engulfed, killing all 58 people on board.

Through various eyewitness accounts, investigations, and expert interviews, the episode portrays a chronological sequence of events leading up to the crash. It delves into multiple possible factors contributing to the crash, including the inadequate training of the crew for such weather conditions, the inexperience of the first officer landing the plane in challenging conditions, and the lack of safety regulations put in place by the airline itself.

The episode also discusses how the aftermath of the crash led to several reforms and changes in aviation safety regulations in Taiwan and other countries. Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration implemented multiple safety measures to improve the communication between air traffic controllers and pilots during severe weather conditions. Also, the airline altered some of its policies on landing requirements, aircraft maintenance, and operational procedures to prevent such accidents from happening in the future.

Overall, "Falling From the Sky" is a detailed and well-documented episode that stands out among other documentaries investigating air disasters. It presents a clear and concise account of the events that led to the TransAsia Airways Flight 222 crash and serves as a reminder of the importance of aviation safety and better-equipped measures to combat issues. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in aviation history, disaster scenarios, and rescue operations.