Ep 1. Fight for Control

On Mayday - Air Disasters season 12 episode 1 titled "Fight for Control," viewers will be taken on a gripping journey through one of aviation's most terrifying accidents. In this episode, we follow the story of an Airbus A320 flying from Rome to Dusseldorf with 150 passengers on board. The flight was routine until a sudden, unexplainable event occurred which caused the plane to plummet into the side of a mountain.

The episode begins with a background on the two pilots flying the aircraft. The captain, Patrick Sondenheimer, was a highly experienced pilot with over 10,000 hours of flight time, while his co-pilot Andreas Lubitz had only 600 hours under his belt. Despite this discrepancy, Lubitz had cleared all necessary exams and had been certified to fly the A320.

The flight takes off from Rome with no signs of trouble. However, as the plane reaches cruising altitude, the captain makes a quick restroom break, leaving Lubitz alone in the cockpit. As soon as the captain leaves, Lubitz locks the cockpit door, putting the plane into a descent with no explanation to air traffic control.

The captain, realizing something is wrong, quickly tries to regain entry to the cockpit, but Lubitz remains silent and does not respond to any communication or attempts to open the door. Panic sets in as the crew and passengers realize the plane is rapidly descending and something is seriously wrong.

The episode details the struggle for control between the two pilots, with the captain repeatedly trying to gain access to the cockpit and the co-pilot firmly refusing to let him in. The terrifying ordeal finally comes to an end when the plane crashes into a mountain in the French Alps, killing all 150 passengers and crew on board.

As the episode unfolds, experts provide insight into the events leading up to the crash, and what could have caused Lubitz to take such drastic measures. The episode highlights the importance of strict safety protocols and the potential consequences of overlooking warning signs.

"Fight for Control" is a powerful episode that delves into the tragic consequences of a pilot's mental break and the subsequent loss of control of the aircraft. It is a dramatic reminder of the importance of mental health screenings for pilots to ensure they are fit to fly and the need for proper safety procedures. The episode serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of complacency in the aviation industry and the importance of diligence and attention to detail.