Ep 4. Fight For Your Life

In Mayday season 3 episode 4, titled "Fight For Your Life," viewers are taken through the tragic events of an Aeroflot Flight 593 that led to the deaths of all 75 passengers and crew members on board.

The episode begins by introducing the pilot of the flight, Yaroslav Kudrinsky, who was a well-respected veteran with over 15,000 hours of flight experience. He was also accompanied by his two children, his son Eldar, and daughter Yana.

As the flight was cruising at 33,000 feet, the captain made a seemingly harmless decision to show off to his children by allowing them to take turns at the controls of the plane, while the co-pilot was on a break. However, the unthinkable happened when the captain accidentally disengaged the autopilot and simultaneously caused the plane to turn sharply to the left.

The co-pilot was completely unaware of the situation and only realized there was a problem when the plane's warning system sounded off multiple alarms, indicating a critical situation. He immediately tried to correct the bank angle and level the wings, but was struggling to regain control as the plane continued to plummet towards the ground.

As the plane descended, the crew and passengers were thrown from side to side, causing chaos and terror onboard. The captain, in a panic, took back control of the plane but had unknowingly set the plane on a fatal course that would ultimately result in the loss of everyone onboard.

The air traffic control center in Moscow received multiple distress calls from the Aeroflot Flight 593, but due to a lack of clear communication and the inadequate English skills of the Russian controllers, they were unable to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation.

The episode then shifts its attention to the investigation of the crash, which raised several questions about the safety protocols of the airline, the lack of proper training for pilots, and the insufficient communication skills of the air traffic controllers.

Mayday season 3 episode 4, "Fight For Your Life," is a gripping account of a tragic event that occurred due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, which ultimately led to a devastating loss of life. The episode is a reminder of the importance of strict safety protocols and proper training within the aviation industry, and the devastating consequences that can occur when these standards are not met.