Ep 5. Concorde Air Crash

In the fifth episode of What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe season 1, the focus is on the tragic Concorde Air Crash. On July 25, 2000, Air France Flight 4590 took off from Paris bound for New York City. Shortly after takeoff, the Concorde aircraft crashed into a hotel, killing all 109 people on board and four people on the ground.

The episode begins by setting the context for the Concorde. The Concorde was a commercial supersonic aircraft that was developed jointly by the British and French governments. It was first introduced in the 1970s and was a technological achievement that allowed passengers to travel faster than the speed of sound. The Concorde was seen as a glamourous and luxurious way to travel, and it attracted wealthy and influential passengers. However, despite its popularity, the Concorde experienced several technical issues that led to its eventual retirement in 2003.

The episode then delves into the events leading up to the crash. The investigation into the crash found that a tire burst during takeoff and ruptured the fuel tank, causing a fire that ultimately led to the crash. The episode explores the circumstances surrounding the tire burst and the fuel tank rupture, and how several factors combined to create a deadly chain of events.

One of the key factors was the fact that the Concorde's tire design was outdated. The design had not undergone significant changes since the 1960s, and it was not certified for speeds of up to Mach 2, which the Concorde was capable of reaching. Additionally, there were several issues with the runway that the Concorde took off from, including debris and other hazards that may have contributed to the tire burst.

Another factor that contributed to the crash was the lack of communication between the pilots and the air traffic control tower. The pilots were alerted to a problem with the aircraft, but the message was not clear and did not convey the severity of the situation. This lack of communication may have delayed the pilots' response to the tire burst and may have ultimately contributed to the crash.

The episode also explores the aftermath of the crash. The Concorde was grounded for over a year while investigations were conducted and safety improvements were implemented. The crash had far-reaching impacts on the aviation industry and led to increased scrutiny of aircraft safety.

Overall, the Concorde Air Crash episode of What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe is a detailed and informative look at one of the most tragic disasters in aviation history. It explores the technical and human factors that contributed to the crash and provides insight into how similar disasters can be prevented in the future.