Ep 3. Pilot Betrayed
- March 1, 2010
- 45 min
On the third episode of season 10 of Mayday - Air Disasters, titled "Pilot Betrayed," viewers are taken on a gripping journey chronicling the events that led to the tragic crash of Cubana de Aviacion Flight 455.
The episode primarily focuses on the actions of the two CIA operatives who planted bombs on the flight, which killed all 78 passengers and crew members on board. The operatives, Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch, were seeking to destabilize Fidel Castro's government and were determined to carry out the attack at any cost.
The episode provides a comprehensive background on the political climate of the time and the various factors that led to the bombing. The viewer gets to witness how the Cold War tensions between Cuba and the US fueled the conspiracies, which ultimately led to the heinous act.
The episode also reveals how the CIA operatives went to great lengths to ensure that the bomb remained undetected. They used innovative methods such as hiding the explosives in a tube of toothpaste and concealing them in a transistor radio. They even disguised their real identity to board the flight as tourists, evading the suspicion of the authorities.
Despite their efforts, the bomb detonated mid-flight, causing the plane to explode in the sky above the island of Barbados. Through a combination of survivor interviews, expert analysis and independent research, the episode vividly paints the terrifying moments of the crash and its aftermath.
The episode also highlights the extensive 48-year-long investigation launched into the incident, and the tireless efforts of families of the victims in seeking justice. Footage of the Cuban memorial, a solemn tribute to those who lost their lives, is used to underscore the extreme gravity of the event.
Overall, "Pilot Betrayed" is a captivating, heartbreaking, and intriguing episode that delves into the political and social turmoil of the time and how it led to a catastrophic event. It offers an insightful look into the consequences of political interference and how many innocent lives can be lost in the course of attaining misguided political objectives.