Ep 3. Typhoon Takeoff

On Mayday - Air Disasters season 12 episode 3, titled Typhoon Takeoff, viewers are taken on a journey to Taipei, Taiwan, where a flight bound for Hong Kong never makes it to its destination. The episode recounts the events leading up to the crash, examining the plane, its crew, and the weather conditions of the day.

The episode starts with footage of a typhoon that hit Taipei in 1998, causing extensive damage and claiming hundreds of lives. Against this backdrop, Mayday - Air Disasters introduces its viewers to the crew of China Airlines Flight 642, a Boeing 747 airplane that is scheduled to fly from Taipei to Hong Kong. The episode provides an in-depth look at the captain, the first officer, the flight engineer, and the cabin crew. The crew is shown preparing for the flight, going through their checklists, and discussing the weather conditions they will encounter on their journey.

As the plane starts to taxi towards the runway, the weather is already causing problems. Heavy rain and strong winds are making it difficult for the pilots to see. The flight engineer reports that they are experiencing a tailwind, which will make the plane take off faster and require more acceleration. Despite the challenging conditions, the captain decides that the plane is safe to take off.

As the plane lifts off the runway, it suddenly takes a sharp turn to the left. The captain tries to correct the course by turning the yoke to the right, but the plane continues to bank left. The episode uses computer-generated graphics to show viewers what is happening inside the plane, as the pilots struggle to regain control. The narrator explains that the plane is now in a left roll, with the left wing dipping lower and the right wing rising.

The crew is frantically trying to identify what is causing the problem. The flight engineer sees that the autopilot is disengaged, but he can't tell if it was turned off intentionally or accidentally. The captain is still trying to level the plane, but it continues to roll left. The first officer is also trying to control the plane, but he can't see anything outside because of the heavy rain.

The episode then cuts to interviews with aviation experts who explain what might have caused the disaster. They speculate about whether the plane hit something on the runway, such as debris or water, or whether it was a mechanical failure. The experts also talk about the challenges of flying in inclement weather conditions and the protocols that pilots are expected to follow.

The scene then switches back to the cockpit, where the situation is rapidly deteriorating. The captain realizes that they are not going to be able to save the plane and tells the cabin crew to prepare for impact. The passengers are experiencing intense turbulence, and some are screaming and crying. The episode shows real footage from inside the cabin, as the passengers cling to their seats and brace for impact.

As the plane approaches the ground, the captain manages to level the wings, which reduces the impact. The plane crashes onto a grassy field and slides to a stop. Despite the severity of the crash, most of the passengers manage to survive. The episode shows footage from the rescue efforts, as emergency workers rush to the scene and start pulling passengers out of the wreckage.

The episode ends with a recap of the events, including an explanation of what caused the plane to crash. It also provides an update on the aftermath of the disaster, including the changes that were made to aviation protocols as a result. Mayday - Air Disasters season 12 episode 3 is a gripping and informative look at the challenges of flying in inclement weather conditions and the importance of following protocols to ensure passenger safety.