True, but remember the airlines are still concerned with the almighty scratch; so while most reasonable people would be willing to sit out a storm rather than face possible death, the airlines are still firstly concerned about revenue they may lose due to rescheduling.
I lost so much money after flight delays abroad but just driving to the airport was so scary due to high winds and snow. I was so, so relieved when the flight was cancelled.
As my flight instructor was fond of saying, “It’s always better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than in the air wishing you were on the ground.”
This is a Mayday gem. The actor who plays the first officer is the same guy who does the narration for Mayday later on and many other documentaries. He end up being the voice of air disasters docs
I was on my way to my best friend’s wedding for which I was serving as best man and emcee. The plane almost landed three times, but the wind just proved too much of a danger, so they flew us back to our point of origin. Everyone on the plane was livid and snarky with the crew. I was the only person who thanked them at the gate for not jeopardizing our safety and making the responsible decision. The same windstorm put a very large tree through the garage of my friend’s in-laws. There’s no question the pilots made the right call. Finally, we took off just after midnight. I didn’t get in until 3:00 in the morning and had to be at the venue for 11:00. Whatever. I made it there alive.
Awesome statement!! I've watched many of these and have only flown 10-12 times, maybe 15. It kind of makes me want to say don't think I will fly again! I think pilots and companies should always consider souls on board versus on time, money etc...period!!!!
They could have landed via diverting to an alternative airport. I suspect the pilots' will was squashed due to their employer p&p's. And the profit requirement.
JD... Praise God you're alive to tell us your story. Honestly, that was so nice of you to thank the pilots and crew for keeping you all safe. Sad when "getting there" is more important than your life! Crazy people! God bless you! Ms. Nova
@@cindylemons7248 I've flown maybe 3 or 4 times, I don't want to be in the air if I can help it. Yet, I have family that have flown all over the world, no thanks! I live in one of the Southern states and storms along here, not to mention tornadoes are awful!
My parents were on that flight. Their first anniversary trip without children. I read or watch something about it every year, looking at the photos of the crash, and thanking God they are still with me (now 87 years old).
@@marmitaa8619 That's difficult to answer. I could fly from two to twenty flight per day, depending on what I was flying and on which customer I was flying. Additionally, I would work between two hundred to two hundred fifty days per year, depending on how much I felt like working that year.
In 2016 I was flying from JFK to SFO, and I think I was flying Virgin Airways and the flight was delayed by 2 hours due to bad weather in the Midwest. We were so annoyed and relieved when we got on the flight. If I had seen this video, I would’ve been less of a brat and more understanding.
A coast to coast trip like the one you described flies at about 38,000 feet. Well above virtually all weather (except perhaps the jet stream). It's only taking off and landing when weather becomes relevant.
Of course planes land in all kinds of bad conditions and they didnt know for sure theyd die but seems this situation was not a grey area, it just may be that the precedent set is don't divert or your a niny....maybe this show didnt show it but I didnt see them even discuss diverting.
Making a call of divert assumes they had awareness of the situation and reasonable judgment. Hell, they did a visual without aborting when they lost visual.
I have a general fear of flying (I still do it to travel), but being addicted to these documentaries doesn't help. This is some of the most compelling, suspenseful, and anxiety producing video content on TH-cam or otherwise.
I do not want to have children, the world is not easy and everything indicates that it will only get worse. I don't want to put a child in the world to suffer.
@@grimmettcleaningservices7003 I remember the one where two trains collided due to a mistake of a dispatcher, bad accident. I guess you can do less harm on a train and if something goes wrong, you can almost always just stop right where you are.. unlike on a plane
@@_gav__ Jonathan Aris did the UK version of "Air Crash Investigators", whereas Stephen Bogaert did the Canadian version of "Mayday". The actor I was referring to as the co-pilot is Stephen Bogaert.
Wonder has made me learn so much about aviation life and the responsibilities pilots and crews take for the safety of passengers. Their patience level is really amazing.
the type of person that chooses to be an air traffic controller is amazing to me. To have such confidence in your abilities to handle complex situations where hundreds of lives are in your hands. What the hell kinda stress do they experience due to that burden? Geez. Kudos, flight controllers.
It's a career that takes a great toll on your mental health. A lot of people don't make it in that career field. The ones who keep at it are incredible.
I have noted it to self “Next time if a flight gets delayed or canceled due to any reasons, I will thank the airlines and the whole staff”. Coz, they do that to save lives and save a lot of criticism if anything bad happens. I will go to one of the airline staff members and say “Thank you for saving my life and saving all these other lives.”
@@dollydolcidesiu8762 There is still some idiots complaining when the flight attendants and pilots say the flight is canceled and they have to get off. I'd like to see those idiots complain again when they claim that they crashed on the runway because the flight wasn't canceled. We should always respect the pilots and flight attendants when we get to our destination safely.
Yeah, I thanked the pilots when a flight I was on ended up not leaving the gate due to a faulty altimeter. No one told the rest of the passengers what was up but I'd heard the pilot who flew the plane last tell the incoming crew that the altimeter had been screwy on the way in. I felt even more confirmed in that when I caught another flight that evening and saw the low clouds and rain were in ATL where we landed. It wasn't like it was that awful weather wise, but certainly an instrument approach.
For sure, our original flight out of Las Vegas last week was delayed due to heat warnings so they offered us a different non stop flight that was leaving sooner so we wouldn’t be delayed, but I understand why they have to do what they do. Our original flight to Las Vegas was canceled due to weather in Denver so we took another one the next day, I’d rather miss a day of my vacation then die in a fiery plane crash
@@melatoninqueen6914 Damn, that is some serious heat to thin the air THAT bad, or a seriously short runway. (At least I’m assuming difficulty generating lift the reason.) Regardless, good not to mess with it.
I, sitting on a chair in my home, was in extreme pressure while watching pilots going from thunderstorm and struggling to take decision for 100 lives including themselves, imagine what kind of tremendous pressure these pilots must have gone from at that time! Rest in peace Captain and other 9 people.
Captain Bushman, "I hate droning around at night not knowing where I am " . Incredible. As an experienced pilot, this flight should've never ever left the ground knowing that there was severe weather in the forecast
@@valerierodger7700 GET BENT. I SAID IT SOUND LIKE HE WAS BULLIED. THATS MY OPINION IF YOU DONT LIKE IT FINE BUT IT WILL STILL BE MY OPINION. WHY DO YOU ALL TRY TO BE THESE ALL KNOWING KARENS. SPEND TIME TEACHING YOUR KIDS.
@@ronniewall1481 Wow Ronnie, relax. No disrespect meant, ... but like you yourself said "THATS MY OPINION IF YOU DONT LIKE IT FINE BUT IT WILL STILL BE MY OPINION" rightfully so, but her opinion is her opinion as well and may not be what you like either, but is rightfully still hers. There's no need to get so upset and in turn become what you yourself hold such a dislike for :(
This is one of the most well done videos I’ve seen documenting an airplane crash - and I’ve seen many. It held my attention through to the very end. The interviews with survivors were well done as well.
I was a 727 and DC9 Captain in the 90s. There was unspoken pressure to be the big man and complete the mission. There was also financial pressure on companies to complete as many flights as possible. No crewmember that I am aware of was ever punished for landing successfully in stormy conditions. I admit that I have flown many times into similar conditions. In what was said in this cockpit and all of the conditions I see here, I am confident that I would have either returned to Dallas or contacted the company for their first choice of an alternate. With winds at 30, gusting to 45 and a T-storm overhead the landing runway, I know myself, I would have broken off the approach when the wind jumped to 30, gust 45, and when the Captain said "I lost the runway." The Captains situational awareness during the entire approach was not optimal given that there was such severe weather surrounding the airport. He was overloaded trying to keep his bearing to and eyes on the airport, because he was overloaded, he started missing basic checklist items like arming his speed break. I was also typed on the DC9, I am familiar with the loud pop noise that the speed break makes as the lever is lifted upward to armed position. On the 727, the speed break/ground spoilers were activated manually after touchdown. The dependence on automation may have contributed to this accident. I flew the DC9 later in my career after the 727. Even though the DC9 automatically deployed the speed break, I always had the feeling of wanting to grab the speed break lever. I had to force myself not to reach for it.
It's a tragedy. If i make a mistake at work it can simply lead to loss of time and money, if these pilots make a mistake it can cost the lives of many.
I'm a truck driver. When I see bad weather I pullover to a rest area or a truck stop until it's safe to drive. It should be same thing for pilots. Don't fly and put the passengers in danger
Yeah but airplanes can't really... Pull into rest spots. You either cancel the flight from the start or divert somewhere else, and both cause the company to loose money so that's only reserved for "proper" emergencies. So it comes down to pilot judgement of what an emergency is, but they've got their own stuff going on & the company breathing down their necks.
This is why I’m glad I’m a truck driver not a pilot because very often here I am driving in bad weather say “the pilot in this video is saying this is a can of worms
@@1999VR4 Exactly. I understand the pressure they're under, but that statement and, I DON'T LIKE DRONING AROUND WHEN I DON'T KNOW WHERE I AM, is just unbelievable they didn't divert.
It's really interesting to see how the Mayday series has evolved in format from really following beat for beat what the CVR reads and really diving deep into interviews with the survivors to the format they have today. (I enjoy both formats.)
I experienced a very similar flight situation a few years ago flying from Phoenix to San Antonio. At the start of initial descent (nighttime) weather was getting increasingly bad. Lightning was lighting up the inside of the cabin. As we made our final approach into San Antonio, all hell broke loose. The cloud bank was very low and once we were below the clouds you could immediately see the runway. Rain was horizontal, wind shears were intense with horrible turbulence, and lighting was striking all around the plane. You could see the green glow of transformers being hit. Right before we were about to touch down, the plane accelerated and we went straight up at an alarming rate. You could hear a collective gasp from the passengers. The flight crew took us out of San Antonio air space and, apparently, once it was safer to land we headed back (after about 30 minutes). Turns out two storms cells had collided right over San Antonio International Airport at the time of our initial landing. It scares me to think that if the flight crew had made the decision to land, this (flight 1420) could have been the outcome.
How weird! I also was landing in San Antonio during a huge storm with reported tornadoes happening. The turbulence was hellacious and out the window i could see black clouds and chain lightning FROM ABOVE. Thought it was the end and my boss just sat there totally calm like it wasn’t happening. I was absolutely terrified of flying for years, had to have multiple cocktails at the airport bar to even get on a plane so i was pretty damn scared. We had a rough landing but we made it! I asked my boss if he was scared and he said “No, why?” I had to change my undies when i got to the hotel….😮
It was a vicious storm and I was just a few miles from the accident scene......and woke up about 1:30 am and watched it out the window...the house was shacking/rattling from the concussions of the thunder and lightning was drilling the ground near the house! It was one of the most vicious electrical storms I've ever seen... It was a 10 on a a scale of 1-10 in ferocity. It was just shattering in strength...
Is it weird these videos of crashes from mayday actually make me want to be a pilot instead of being afraid? The procedures from all these videos and the way they learn from each crash makes me have a lot less fear of flying. I also feel like you flying it yourself calms down the fear, it seems to stem from a lack of control that makes people scared. Gives me a big appreciation to all those involved in aviation, wouldn’t mind being apart of that.
@@nicolethorson8186 hahah you got That right. Yeah Greg Feith and John Cox are amazing when they explain things. I really Enjoy Everytime I watch them. Yes Greg IS Amazing.
So much confusion and uncertainty in the cockpit. May the pilot rest in peace. Also, praying for healing for those who survived. Trauma is real and our society has done a poor job equipping us to handle anything other than happiness.
in my country we have saying which means : "being late is better than getting to destination quickly" and this saying is for times like what happened in this video
Two things I've learned watching Mayday, that you can do yourself to reduce your chances of dying as a passenger: 1. Check the weather prior to the flight. There are various sites with pretty accurate weather simulation. 2. Avoid nighttime flights. Daytime flights are less dangerous as VFR flying is possible and makes it easier to visually spot any problems on the engines/wings/fuselage, on time.
What I have learned from binge watching these videos is… 1. Don’t fly in bad weather. Don’t book a flight during those times. 2. If you do fly chose a seat at the back of the plane.
Having a seat in the back of the plane doesn’t do anything tbh because it depends on where the impact is and you never know where the impact is going to happen
"We couldn't believe life went on because for us, it just stopped." Now I know what it means, what it felt like, what this line truly felt like. Mine isn't similar to these airplane crashes, but something that almost cost me my life as well.
Years ago I was on my second leg of the flight back home from Charlott NC airport to Canton/Akron airport. It was late, dark, was on a very small plane as I was the only passenger. We flew through a lightening storm. Having the very kind stewardess to myself, I asked her if we were safe. She said to me, "do you see the wing out the window?" "Yes". She continued, "do you see the angel there on the wing?" She shared her chocolate covered pretzels with me as we watched the lightening and arrived safely at the airport.
when she said "you find out who your friends are" just struck me in the heart. How could anyone not support these survivors? I feel for her and everyone involved.
I've been in a plane that was landing in DFW Airport in the 90's when the plane was hit by a strong wind shear. The pilots did good by suddenly veering upwards and fast. It felt like a roller coaster moment. I wasn't afraid. We circled the Airport and landed safely. That's when the captain said he had to to the sudden move to avoid a crash.
I think your story is complete BS, however if that is you in the thumbnail photo, I would do anything to meet you. Don't care if you have the word wifey in your user ID
I was on a flight from Dallas to San Antonio in a storm like this. We circled.S. A. for over an hour in the 1970's. Three of us in our early twenties were seated in the very back of the plane, and we were getting bounced around badly. The attendant kept serving us drinks, and we were really lit when we got to the terminal!
I flew in a bad storm not long ago and was so scared, you could also feel the pilot is pushing the plane to get past the storm, we where flying so fast
It was only a 5 hour car ride between the takeoff and landing...it's amazing how much danger people will out themselves in (in these specific circumstances) to save maybe 1 or 2 hours of time. Especially in the days of beefed-up security after 9/11, you really have to question whether just renting a car is more prudent.
As a pilot, when the FO said the crosswind was at limits (even for dry), and then the Captain was saying in essence 'I don't like this', multiple times I was "divert to your alternate", but when you are on a flight deck it is complicated.
On board an American flight into Little Rock this past December- guess the crew got the memo as we turned back to Denver when the snow coverage on runway was deemed unsafe.
The question still stands. Did the American A/L dispatcher in Denver KNOW that Little Rock was under snow and ice conditions? Its not as if the flight originated in London and you face a variation in destination weather conditions while enroute. The airline somehow bearly follow rules just to get the flight in the air and justify keeping the value of the fare. Meanwhile it puts everyone at risk just for the money.
@@gerardpully762 I have seen weather forecasts change in short time. That dispatcher knew it could go either way most likely. We were in holding pattern for at least 40 min flying above that endless cloud bank. The plane was eerily quiet- i don't think anyone in the plane was wanting to just go for it. I'll never forget it- nor the folks on flight 1420.
@@lynnfarley7859 I sense what you mean and do hope that you and others accept the event as an experience and not allow any hurt to affect you any further. Big hug from South America.
I have been in a plane landing during a thunder storm and high winds where the plane was jumping left/right and seemed to slide sideways a bit initially on landing. It was terrifying to me but no where near what this plane was doing before landing. My plane made it. To me it seemed telling that something was wrong and that should not have happened as the stewardess were very apologetic as they thanked us for flying Delta and hoped to see us again. " Thank you for choosing Delta. We are sorry for the rough ride but hope to see you again in better skys." Our pilots who usually at least one is also standing at the door saying goodbye were both in the cockpit, door cracked open and looked covered in sweat, exhausted and frazzled. I am not at all comparing to say I understand or have been on the same level. The passengers on this flight had to experience something I hope I never have to go through in my lifetime. It is tragic that anyone died at all. Worse so many in this case. What I felt and experiences only gives me a realization of my good fortune from a similar situation as to what their approach to the airport was. I only bring up my experience because of what was said at the close of this episode. The preasure put on the pilots with the time limits. The allowable work hours being so close to what the trips are already expected to take leaves little to no room for delays. The pressure to complete the planned flight and not chose the alternate landing or turn back. The ideal that inconveniencing the passengers a little is worse than endangering their lives to land at the planned destination is crazy!! It is image and profit over lives. The public at large will remember all the hassles the airline more than a fatal crash. The inconvenience was personally impacting, will be remembered longer, come up when chosing and airline next time and the news of the crash will fade from memory. Image and profit over safety. It is horrible and sick! My heart goes out to those affected by thus tragic crash.
AA had a lot of these crashes in 1990s . I’m surprised they didn’t go away instead of merging and being kept alive compare to continental or us airways
It's easy to negativity judge these 2 pilots, when we were not the ones flying the plane,and not being under all that stress. The Captain's mistakes, cost him his life and the life of other's.
I always sit by the wing on a plane. I love watching the mechanics of it work, especially on take off and landing. And when weather is choppy, I've stared at the spoilers and what not as we come in for a landing and wondered if we were gonna make it. seeing them strain against the high speeds and hearing the engines fight against slowing down... It's tense moment. I can't imagine that moment going wrong.
I won’t sit by the wings after watching these. I’m not a nervous flyer, but I’ve seen too many of these that end up with explosions from the fuel tanks… Anyway, I realize it’s a little silly since the likelihood that it’ll matter statistically is very small. Still, it’s almost become a superstition with me.
Man I see so many comments like "they should have done x." Like- yes they SHOULD have. It's so much easier to say "they should have diverted or stayed in a hold above the airport", but I want to see you people get into airplanes and make perfect decisions every time you fly, while being put under immense pressure to do so.
They doubted there own decision and were not in a stabilised approach which is the rule for most companies at a certain level for this reason as to not forget the basics of landing checklist. Unless both pilots agree and visualise then it shouldn't be happening.
I agree. It is easy to be an armchair pilot. But things tend to look a lot different when you are actually the PIC (pilot in command) dealing with this.
Should have comments are easy when lying, safely in a comfortable bed lol. But I also understand - it's said out of wanting to change the situation and the better action to take is always easier to see in hindsight than when in the heat of the moment. Your mind is in a different place when in high-stress situations. Bless 'em all.
The problem is: You HAVE to make perfect decisions when you are in charge of a large, inherently dangerous ,fast moving vehicle with many lives at stake.
"they minimized it, so you want to find a way to hurt them" Just one problem with that- American airlines wouldnt be paying- the INSURANCE would be paying for it all, and as a bonus the airline gets a new plane
Living near the Atlanta Airport, the busiest in the world, hearing hundreds of planes flying over me daily, I continue to always be amazed at how they almost never crash.
So true. I believe the last major crash in the US was the crash of Colgan 3407 outside Buffalo in 2009. Considering the number of flights in the US on any given day....over 12 years without a major crash is remarkable. If one looks at the 70's as an example there were over 20 major crashes in just that one decade.
Once we sat on the tarmac on a flight from Detroit to DC waiting for authorities to decide whether the plane was to fly out as they were grounding and closing the airport due to severe storms. Believe it or not, the pilot said “hey folks, this is our lucky day, we’ve been ok’d for the last flight out of Detroit this afternoon.” As soon as we completed lift off, I could see lightening on both sides of the plane. We literally raced against the storm. We landed in DC and torrential storms rolled in behind us. Guests were saying “this was the worst weather I’ve ever driving in” while we said “this is the worst weather we’ve ever flown in.”
Shee-it. You literally lucked out as you dodged the storms! I'm sure you were beyond grateful you made it out Alive. But I wonder, if they'd been denied clearance to go and you'd been delayed,how do you think you would have reacted? I know that knowing what I know now, I wouldn't be bothered by a delay in the slightest. Truly. Whatever is waiting for me at the other end can wait. But I'll never know if I'm dead...
The captain's widow successfully sued the Airport for her husband's death, because of the illegal non-frangible approach light supports erected in what should have been the runway safety area was what actually killed him and the others. " “The probable causes of this accident were the flight crew’s failure to discontinue the approach when severe thunderstorms and their associated hazards to flight operations had moved into the airport area and the crew’s failure to ensure that the spoilers had extended after touchdown” to slow the plane, the NTSB said in its 2001 report on the accident. But part of Susan Buschmann’s lawyer’s argument at trial was that the lever to set the spoilers was found in the activated position and documents showed the airline hadn’t addressed several reports of spoiler malfunctions. "
Impressive legal outcome, but it remains true that, as captain, he should have had the sense to divert, regardless of how close they were to landing. He tried to shotgun the approach and paid a terrible price, along with 9 others. A diversion to Nashville would have been quick and simple. No crew would fault a captain for wanting to divert in such dangerous conditions, and I doubt those passengers would have either.
A lawsuit in the US is not about facts, it is about who has the best lawyers that can tug on the heart strings of the jury. There are many issues with the argument: 1) it is NOT illegal to have non-frangible approach light supports, the runway safety area is not a law, it is a recommendation, and every airport has a different set up. In fact at the time the recommendation was only 500 feet past the end of the runway, and the "illegal non-frangible approach light supports" were 600 feet from the end of the runway... so ya, they didn't even violate the runway safety area as per the FAA. 2) A plane should never be landed in conditions out side of the limits of the plane, which is what happed. And 3) A plane should never try to land if you are not stabilized, EVER! Which this plane was clearly not. This is like a drunk driver suing the city for putting a lamp post next to a road, that he then crashed into because he was drunk. The captain was 100% at fault, he was too busy trying to land and forgot to fly the plane, period. This is why the NTSB didn't change it's conclusions after this meaningless lawsuit, because they were right, and the jury has no clue how planes even fly, let alone how they should land.
@@ShionWinkler From this reenactment, it appeared the pilot was becoming more and more anxious. The more anxious, the more he was experiencing difficulty seeing, hearing and processing information. He really should have diverted to his alternate airport; but, hindsight is 20/20.
This is so sad, the captain really messed up so many times! It is so scary to hear a pilot not be sure of the rules and questioning himself regarding the aircraft’s limitations when it came to bad weather, cross winds, landing on a wet runway etc, he just sounded clueless the whole time. When in doubt DIVERT! And when carrying hundreds of lives BE SURE! No one should be allowed to make decisions for others unless VERY SURE! - I will happily sit at the airport and wait until it is safe!
Two years ago (or so,) my family was staying near Hartsfield-Jackson airport when a sudden t-storm came rolling through. We stood near our window and was watching as a jet was coming down to land but it, almost immediately, "revved" its engines and shot back up into the sky. Later that evening, after the storm passed, there were planes in a line to land again. Never seen anything like it.
One of my flights just before COVID was similar to this that pilots didn’t arm the spoilers because I sat at the window seat just behind the wings and I saw that the spoilers didn’t come up. Luckily it was a clear weather day but it definitely took more runway for the plan to slow down.
Flew to the Bahamas with my sister in a small jet. We came up on a storm, dark as night even though it was daytime, heavy rain and turbulence. We were scared. The pilots were great, it was an open cockpit. We couldn’t land until the storm died down. The landing was quick and tight, but it was another airport further from our destination. We didn’t care, we made it. It was the first time I ever flew.
Shame your 'god' didn't see fit to give his 'grace and mercy' to the poor folk who suffered and died in this accident huh 🙄 ... oh... I forgot... 'he' works in mysyerious ways 🙄. You made it through your flights by the skill and experience of the pilots, so you need to be thanking THEM, not your invisible sky-daddy! 🙄
They didn't follow the landing checklist. Everything else set aside, the weather, the schedule, this is all because they didn't follow the checklist. This is basics of aviation. If you don't arm the spoilers you aren't going to be able to stop, especially on a wet runway.
Even though I am a pilot, I am just a private pilot and I am not familiar with the dialogue between pilots in the cockpit, but I was shocked by the lack of discipline in communication. I am former military, and I expect the captain and the first officer to confirm audibly with each other. If the pilot says flaps 20, The first officer should say an immediate response, such as “affirmative.“ Then when the flaps reach the 20° position, the first officer should say, “flaps at 20” and the captain should reply, “affirmative.“ Something like that. It sounded like they were having some kind of bar room talk while they were flying this airplane. It was terrible discipline. I was shocked. I didn’t hear much about the checklist either, for any situation during this flight. They couldn’t even get it straight on what Crosswind allowance limitations were. It was shocking that they thought that maybe they could have a higher crosswind under wet conditions as opposed to dry. These guys were not competent enough to be in charge of those lives of so many people. Shameful.
Valerie Rodger: fatigue is definitely a factor in any kind of navigation, and I appreciate you pointing that out. We can all look forward to the day when this is all automated because it will be much safer as computers don’t suffer any fatigue whatsoever. Maybe you have noticed that astronauts do not fly rocket ships and they have not done so for decades, except for the ridiculous anomaly with the final landing of the space shuttle, there was no need for the pilots, but they let them do it as a matter of pride, that is how stupid NASA is. Automated systems are precise and they don’t make mistakes. When they are backed up by multiple CPUs handshaking and with watchdogs, they cannot be even remotely matched by human capabilities. We’ve got to get pilots out of the cockpit and people out of the driver seat in cars. The world will be much better. We have the technology to do it, we have long had it for airplanes which is a much easier thing to solve than high traffic automobile travel. The stumbling block is the pilots union, those arrogant idiots, and a calcified air liner manufacturing industry. Look at how stupid the cockpit displays are, they have simply taken analog instruments and digitize them. How stupid is that. Things like what space ex is doing and Tesla, that is the right thing. Take a look at a Tesla you can see a Birdseye view of the car and all the traffic around it on the main display. That kind of technology was available for airplanes decades ago, and that would have greatly improved the situational awareness of pilots. I know all this stuff because of my Air Force experience, my pilot experience, and my engineering experience. I am truly disappointed with the engineers that design the user interface for most airliners, they are so stupid and antiquated.
The more people know what is at stake during severe weather flying, the less their Karen meltdowns will pressure an already severely capitalized industry to risk life. The groan when flights are delayed always baffle me. I've travelled around the world and its better late and alive than on time in a casket!
I was on the last flight before all others were cancelled during the 2021 Joplin tornado. The turbulence was insane, it was seatbelts on the whole way - I would have skipped that flight if I had known about the severe weather. A few of us ended up taking minor head injuries. From now on, severe weather = giving up my seat.
People do not realize how many people have died because of human error, keeping a schedule, or the management of an airline and it is all about the money.
@@deannataylor6638 I'd have him as my pilot any day, any month any year. He lived through a harrowing ordeal, that means he absolute won't let it happen again. People make mistakes, then the smart ones learn a lot .
The More I watch these videos, I'm in awe,it's amazing that people can survive them, And at the same time I'm disgusted that 98 percent of the crashes are pilot error due to pressure put on them by their employer,AA should be held totally responsible
They knew very well they were out of limits for landing and they tried anyway. This is probably the worst case of pilot negligence I've seen on these shows.
I used to fly to Switzerland for work sometimes, to Basel airport, and one time the weather was particularly bad. As we started going down the plane was shaking more and more, and I had a really bad feeling about it all. We tried to get down a couple times, but eventually the pilot diverted us - pretty far, too, I think to Strasbourg ? - my trip took a couple extra hours, but I was sooooo thankful we wouldn't try to land for real in that wind.
It's not like driving a bus, diversions are not looked upon lightly,(extra costs )to the airline) there's the Fuel State, having sufficient to divert is one thing,then meeting with a similar occurrence at the NEW target landing, with the associated costs to both Pax and AirlineEasy with a Bus, Aircraft demand somewhat more and all extras are mega bucks too. Terry Offord
Considering airplanes have crashed from circling airports and running out of fuel, I would be cautious about that suggestion to circle around. Diversion would have been best, it's awful that airlines pressure pilots to ever land in such conditions.
I was an Agent for a major Airline, there is a push to get planes out, but times I cancelled a flight due to unsafe weather, the passengers were the first to yell. I would say do you want to wait or hope you get there safely, people always wanted to take the chance, luckily Cpt didn't give a choice. Passengers automatically think they will safely get to destination no matter what the weather is
50:59 Asking someone if they are "ok' may be done with the best of intentions, but I can understand why it would be frustrating after awhile. But his continued experience of symptoms of trauma really drives home how an event like this scars someone forever.
The feeling of relief when you see interviews from people on board
Lol FOR REAL!! 🥵🤯
@tori really more about the storms....
So true. I avoid/delay watching some at times when I realize there were no survivors because it just hurts so much more.
@@Justicia007 No, not really.
Thats the first thing i look for 😂
They should show these during weather delays. People would be way more willing to wait it out at the airport.
True, but remember the airlines are still concerned with the almighty scratch; so while most reasonable people would be willing to sit out a storm rather than face possible death, the airlines are still firstly concerned about revenue they may lose due to rescheduling.
I lost so much money after flight delays abroad but just driving to the airport was so scary due to high winds and snow. I was so, so relieved when the flight was cancelled.
That right there is the most brilliant posting that I have ever seen.
@@feliciagallo9832 and your point?
@@FreedomofSpeech865 what?
The Wonder channel has officially taken over my life.
Watch Harald Baldr
Okay I thought I was the only one LOL.. I'm obsessed...
@@bmspanky666 no, he's boring... Watch bald and bankrupt...
Me too 🤫
Same 😂
As my flight instructor was fond of saying, “It’s always better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than in the air wishing you were on the ground.”
Omgggggg so trueeeee
That's a good one! 😃
How many times we gotta hear that bs line
@@Gus1966-c9o I hadn't heard it before.
Unless you are in the 2012 movie with John Cusack.
I like when Gregory Feith, the lead NTSB guy, is doing the explanations. He makes these disasters easier to understand.
Plus he's cute
@@elhollins5988 he’s cute, but what kind of weird S&M suspenders is he wearing???
Amen!!!!!!!! The best
@@marciafreidenreich8057 😂
@@elhollins5988 yeah he’s easy to look at. 😻
This is a Mayday gem. The actor who plays the first officer is the same guy who does the narration for Mayday later on and many other documentaries. He end up being the voice of air disasters docs
What's his name?
@@prabuddhabose9045 His name is Stephen Bogaert
@@AdrianStalker Thank you
Isn't there another version with a British narrator?
@@at1212b yes. Stephen voices for Canada where the show is from. Jonathan Aris voices for Britain and Bill Ratner voices for the U.S.
id rather be late than dead because of the way the weather was.
you say it now, but you've heard what that woman said "they just wanted to get home"
What if the chances of dying was only 5%. They took those chances 🥶
@@FlashRyu 5%?? !! Really? Well, for whomever wants to gamble with their life...
@@gabrielac.206 I’m just guessing, it’s probably atleast like 2% chance that something could go really wrong with a storm nearby.
im sorry, but one of the passengers might sue the company for late then the crew will be blamed
I was on my way to my best friend’s wedding for which I was serving as best man and emcee. The plane almost landed three times, but the wind just proved too much of a danger, so they flew us back to our point of origin. Everyone on the plane was livid and snarky with the crew. I was the only person who thanked them at the gate for not jeopardizing our safety and making the responsible decision. The same windstorm put a very large tree through the garage of my friend’s in-laws. There’s no question the pilots made the right call. Finally, we took off just after midnight. I didn’t get in until 3:00 in the morning and had to be at the venue for 11:00. Whatever. I made it there alive.
Awesome statement!! I've watched many of these and have only flown 10-12 times, maybe 15. It kind of makes me want to say don't think I will fly again! I think pilots and companies should always consider souls on board versus on time, money etc...period!!!!
I sure agree!
They could have landed via diverting to an alternative airport. I suspect the pilots' will was squashed due to their employer p&p's. And the profit requirement.
JD... Praise God you're alive to tell us your story. Honestly, that was so nice of you to thank the pilots and crew for keeping you all safe. Sad when "getting there" is more important than your life! Crazy people! God bless you!
Ms. Nova
@@cindylemons7248 I've flown maybe 3 or 4 times, I don't want to be in the air if I can help it. Yet, I have family that have flown all over the world, no thanks! I live in one of the Southern states and storms along here, not to mention tornadoes are awful!
My parents were on that flight. Their first anniversary trip without children. I read or watch something about it every year, looking at the photos of the crash, and thanking God they are still with me (now 87 years old).
I’m glad they walked away. ❤
Marisa... Praise God you still have your precious parents!
Ms. Nova
stop making stuff up
@@jefferystutsman6419 How do you know that’s made up?
I don't believe you
In my 27 years as a pilot, I’ve aborted landings and diverted to different locations on an average of about five times a year.
And doing so has saved lives
How many flights yearly on average?
@@marmitaa8619 That's difficult to answer. I could fly from two to twenty flight per day, depending on what I was flying and on which customer I was flying. Additionally, I would work between two hundred to two hundred fifty days per year, depending on how much I felt like working that year.
@@ControlTouchMaster Do you feel pressure from the airlines execs to remain on schedule/avoid delays/avoid diverting?
@@sooph1e Not at all. Pressure usually comes from customers.
In 2016 I was flying from JFK to SFO, and I think I was flying Virgin Airways and the flight was delayed by 2 hours due to bad weather in the Midwest. We were so annoyed and relieved when we got on the flight. If I had seen this video, I would’ve been less of a brat and more understanding.
Clever comment, hats off !
yup
No you wouldn't.
i flew in the rain in 2018
A coast to coast trip like the one you described flies at about 38,000 feet. Well above virtually all weather (except perhaps the jet stream). It's only taking off and landing when weather becomes relevant.
I know that people hate traveling and just want to get home and airlines don’t want delays, but just divert. It’s never worth dying for.
Thank you for that important information.
Of course planes land in all kinds of bad conditions and they didnt know for sure theyd die but seems this situation was not a grey area, it just may be that the precedent set is don't divert or your a niny....maybe this show didnt show it but I didnt see them even discuss diverting.
@@thebeaz1 I agree. Before that comment I was unsure whether getting home on time was worth dying for.
Making a call of divert assumes they had awareness of the situation and reasonable judgment. Hell, they did a visual without aborting when they lost visual.
Speak for yourself.
This gives me terrible anxiety but I still can’t stop watching smh
Same
On my 3rd day of binging, lol.😎
I have a general fear of flying (I still do it to travel), but being addicted to these documentaries doesn't help.
This is some of the most compelling, suspenseful, and anxiety producing video content on TH-cam or otherwise.
I do not want to have children, the world is not easy and everything indicates that it will only get worse. I don't want to put a child in the world to suffer.
@@juanpedro4083 Good, the world is overpopulated now and women act like birth control doesn't exist. Thanks for being considerate of the earth.
This show's production quality is amazing.
Hi
The show is called "Mayday" or "Air Crash Investigation"! Been on the air since 2003, it's brilliant, would recommend binge-watching it.
@@thatsyourfookingjobyoufook8946 where is a good place to watch it at ?
@@parker4332 this channel. I thin they upload quite a lot and regularnya.
@@parker4332 they also have an official channel
Air travel may be the safest.... but god damn when something goes wrong it really really goes wrong.
Exactly
That is going through my mind too. I'd rather be late than dead too.
How about train tho? Is it statistically more dangerous?
@@Kobrabiss that's a good question. I've seen a couple of videos of major train wrecks, there are no picnic either.
@@grimmettcleaningservices7003 I remember the one where two trains collided due to a mistake of a dispatcher, bad accident.
I guess you can do less harm on a train and if something goes wrong, you can almost always just stop right where you are.. unlike on a plane
Fun fact, the actor playing the co-pilot ended up becoming the narrator of Mayday.
Which videos?
@@_gav__ the ones later on in the show but I’m not sure exactly which ones.
Wow that’s interesting! Now I want to compare his voice to the Mayday narration voice lol
That’s awesome!!!
@@_gav__ Jonathan Aris did the UK version of "Air Crash Investigators", whereas Stephen Bogaert did the Canadian version of "Mayday". The actor I was referring to as the co-pilot is Stephen Bogaert.
Rest In Peace to all those passengers that died in the crash as well as the pilot
Yeah :( poor pilot
The pilot made grave mistakes, I cannot praise him nor the copilot. I’m sorry they did not choose a different career.
Steve Perreira I mean he tried no he didn’t but still rip
..@@steveperreira5850- "... a different career"? or rather and more aptly, a different airport.
@@tracer740
I agree.
Wonder has made me learn so much about aviation life and the responsibilities pilots and crews take for the safety of passengers. Their patience level is really amazing.
the type of person that chooses to be an air traffic controller is amazing to me. To have such confidence in your abilities to handle complex situations where hundreds of lives are in your hands. What the hell kinda stress do they experience due to that burden? Geez. Kudos, flight controllers.
@@tvela001 interesting
It's a career that takes a great toll on your mental health. A lot of people don't make it in that career field. The ones who keep at it are incredible.
I have noted it to self “Next time if a flight gets delayed or canceled due to any reasons, I will thank the airlines and the whole staff”. Coz, they do that to save lives and save a lot of criticism if anything bad happens. I will go to one of the airline staff members and say “Thank you for saving my life and saving all these other lives.”
Yes never complain for any cancellations or delays.
@@dollydolcidesiu8762 There is still some idiots complaining when the flight attendants and pilots say the flight is canceled and they have to get off. I'd like to see those idiots complain again when they claim that they crashed on the runway because the flight wasn't canceled. We should always respect the pilots and flight attendants when we get to our destination safely.
Yeah, I thanked the pilots when a flight I was on ended up not leaving the gate due to a faulty altimeter. No one told the rest of the passengers what was up but I'd heard the pilot who flew the plane last tell the incoming crew that the altimeter had been screwy on the way in. I felt even more confirmed in that when I caught another flight that evening and saw the low clouds and rain were in ATL where we landed. It wasn't like it was that awful weather wise, but certainly an instrument approach.
For sure, our original flight out of Las Vegas last week was delayed due to heat warnings so they offered us a different non stop flight that was leaving sooner so we wouldn’t be delayed, but I understand why they have to do what they do. Our original flight to Las Vegas was canceled due to weather in Denver so we took another one the next day, I’d rather miss a day of my vacation then die in a fiery plane crash
@@melatoninqueen6914 Damn, that is some serious heat to thin the air THAT bad, or a seriously short runway. (At least I’m assuming difficulty generating lift the reason.) Regardless, good not to mess with it.
*why am i addicted to these wonder videos...*
Because it's reality and CAN effect you....at some point.
You're not alone.
@Sean Mac ruairi can't get Nat geo here 🤷♀️ wonder needs their ad revenue so they can finance licensing the shows 👍
Same here like I’m hooked on it
@Ineshka De Mel ..... You have a naturally addictive personality
I, sitting on a chair in my home, was in extreme pressure while watching pilots going from thunderstorm and struggling to take decision for 100 lives including themselves, imagine what kind of tremendous pressure these pilots must have gone from at that time! Rest in peace Captain and other 9 people.
These series have some of the BEST actors and re-enactments I’ve ever seen!! Just phenomenal
they're just reuploading a TV series called Mayday Aircraft investigation
@@beans_potatoes so?
@@danielabackstrom exactly what I thought 😂
@@beans_potatoes yeh and we love it.
@@beans_potatoes What you said has nothing to do with the OP... your point is null and void my friend.
Captain Bushman, "I hate droning around at night not knowing where I am " . Incredible. As an experienced pilot, this flight should've never ever left the ground knowing that there was severe weather in the forecast
That message at the end was important. The survivors are alive but forever changed by the ordeal.
If an airline tells me the weather is bad, I'm taking a seat and fly the next day.
The captain said several things that should been reason to do something else. He kinda got bullied by first officer.
a long and unpleasant night in the airport.
@@ronniewall1481 ll
@@valerierodger7700 GET BENT. I SAID IT SOUND LIKE HE WAS BULLIED.
THATS MY OPINION IF YOU DONT LIKE IT FINE BUT IT WILL STILL BE MY OPINION.
WHY DO YOU ALL TRY TO BE THESE ALL KNOWING KARENS.
SPEND TIME TEACHING YOUR KIDS.
@@ronniewall1481 Wow Ronnie, relax. No disrespect meant, ... but like you yourself said "THATS MY OPINION IF YOU DONT LIKE IT FINE BUT IT WILL STILL BE MY OPINION" rightfully so, but her opinion is her opinion as well and may not be what you like either, but is rightfully still hers. There's no need to get so upset and in turn become what you yourself hold such a dislike for :(
If only they had diverted. Beyond tragic. RIP to all those who lost their lives.
This is one of the most well done videos I’ve seen documenting an airplane crash - and I’ve seen many. It held my attention through to the very end. The interviews with survivors were well done as well.
Define, 'many'.
This is from a TV docuseries called "Mayday" and later "Air Crash Investigation". It is phenomenal. This episode came out about 20 years ago.
All the Mayday documentaries are incredibly well-done, well-acted, and portrayed faithfully.
true 😏
Yeah but whenever you see interview with survivors you know it’s not going to be as interesting a disaster.
I was a 727 and DC9 Captain in the 90s. There was unspoken pressure to be the big man and complete the mission. There was also financial pressure on companies to complete as many flights as possible. No crewmember that I am aware of was ever punished for landing successfully in stormy conditions. I admit that I have flown many times into similar conditions. In what was said in this cockpit and all of the conditions I see here, I am confident that I would have either returned to Dallas or contacted the company for their first choice of an alternate. With winds at 30, gusting to 45 and a T-storm overhead the landing runway, I know myself, I would have broken off the approach when the wind jumped to 30, gust 45, and when the Captain said "I lost the runway." The Captains situational awareness during the entire approach was not optimal given that there was such severe weather surrounding the airport. He was overloaded trying to keep his bearing to and eyes on the airport, because he was overloaded, he started missing basic checklist items like arming his speed break. I was also typed on the DC9, I am familiar with the loud pop noise that the speed break makes as the lever is lifted upward to armed position. On the 727, the speed break/ground spoilers were activated manually after touchdown. The dependence on automation may have contributed to this accident. I flew the DC9 later in my career after the 727. Even though the DC9 automatically deployed the speed break, I always had the feeling of wanting to grab the speed break lever. I had to force myself not to reach for it.
My Mom friend died on this and the memorial is beautiful where it’s at
It's a tragedy. If i make a mistake at work it can simply lead to loss of time and money, if these pilots make a mistake it can cost the lives of many.
With a bonus of also being able to cost time and money without injuring anybody.
Yep, if I goof at work, it could result in a billing error. Fortunately they're caught early byt it's still a pain.
if i make a mistake, many will loose their lifes too.. i m a mechanic for aircrafts
I must say the acting in these episodes is just spectacular. Really keeps me on the edge of my seat.
I'm a truck driver. When I see bad weather I pullover to a rest area or a truck stop until it's safe to drive. It should be same thing for pilots. Don't fly and put the passengers in danger
Yeah but airplanes can't really... Pull into rest spots. You either cancel the flight from the start or divert somewhere else, and both cause the company to loose money so that's only reserved for "proper" emergencies. So it comes down to pilot judgement of what an emergency is, but they've got their own stuff going on & the company breathing down their necks.
@@haski002 lol
This is why I’m glad I’m a truck driver not a pilot because very often here I am driving in bad weather say “the pilot in this video is saying this is a can of worms
@@1999VR4
Exactly.
I understand the pressure they're under, but that statement and, I DON'T LIKE DRONING AROUND WHEN I DON'T KNOW WHERE I AM, is just unbelievable they didn't divert.
Alright, next time you're on a plane and the weather gets bad, just ask the pilot to pull over. That's totally a thing.
It's really interesting to see how the Mayday series has evolved in format from really following beat for beat what the CVR reads and really diving deep into interviews with the survivors to the format they have today. (I enjoy both formats.)
I experienced a very similar flight situation a few years ago flying from Phoenix to San Antonio. At the start of initial descent (nighttime) weather was getting increasingly bad. Lightning was lighting up the inside of the cabin. As we made our final approach into San Antonio, all hell broke loose. The cloud bank was very low and once we were below the clouds you could immediately see the runway. Rain was horizontal, wind shears were intense with horrible turbulence, and lighting was striking all around the plane. You could see the green glow of transformers being hit. Right before we were about to touch down, the plane accelerated and we went straight up at an alarming rate. You could hear a collective gasp from the passengers. The flight crew took us out of San Antonio air space and, apparently, once it was safer to land we headed back (after about 30 minutes). Turns out two storms cells had collided right over San Antonio International Airport at the time of our initial landing. It scares me to think that if the flight crew had made the decision to land, this (flight 1420) could have been the outcome.
Great life-saving decision of your pilots!!
How weird! I also was landing in San Antonio during a huge storm with reported tornadoes happening. The turbulence was hellacious and out the window i could see black clouds and chain lightning FROM ABOVE. Thought it was the end and my boss just sat there totally calm like it wasn’t happening. I was absolutely terrified of flying for years, had to have multiple cocktails at the airport bar to even get on a plane so i was pretty damn scared. We had a rough landing but we made it! I asked my boss if he was scared and he said “No, why?” I had to change my undies when i got to the hotel….😮
It was a vicious storm and I was just a few miles from the accident scene......and woke up about 1:30 am and watched it out the window...the house was shacking/rattling from the concussions of the thunder and lightning was drilling the ground near the house! It was one of the most vicious electrical storms I've ever seen... It was a 10 on a a scale of 1-10 in ferocity. It was just shattering in strength...
My daughter & I were driving through LR during this bad storm. We stopped at the Waffle House in Beebee & the windows almost blew out!
@@SteveHolsten lol lo
That comment imparted more information for me to judge the real severity of the storm they were flying through, than any passenger description.
@@Holocaustica The problem is that we and the pilots knew that but failed to divert. Simple as it is.
I'm in Hot Springs. What year was this? I'm trying to place it. My inlaws are in North Little Rock
Is it weird these videos of crashes from mayday actually make me want to be a pilot instead of being afraid? The procedures from all these videos and the way they learn from each crash makes me have a lot less fear of flying. I also feel like you flying it yourself calms down the fear, it seems to stem from a lack of control that makes people scared. Gives me a big appreciation to all those involved in aviation, wouldn’t mind being apart of that.
Greg Feith and john Cox are my 2 favorite NTSB, I love those guys.
You know you watch a lot of these when you have favorite NTSB investigators LOL
They are seriously impressive, though, especially Greg
@@nicolethorson8186 hahah you got That right. Yeah Greg Feith and John Cox are amazing when they explain things. I really Enjoy Everytime I watch them. Yes Greg IS Amazing.
Me too! 😍
John Cox is not a NTSB investigator, though he is amazing
From Wiki:
"Feith is a pilot himself, and owns and flies his Piper PA-24 Comanche. He has a vehicle registration plate of "CRASH1"."
and 10 years later... I'm still addicted to these air crash documentaries :-)
So much confusion and uncertainty in the cockpit. May the pilot rest in peace. Also, praying for healing for those who survived. Trauma is real and our society has done a poor job equipping us to handle anything other than happiness.
I really feel for that Flight Crew ... what a stressful situation.
The crew?i feel sorry for the passengers. These clowns had no business trying to land in that. Should've gone around. Absolute fools
Pilots fly in bad weather all the time. That Capt was not a very good pilot. The new guy knew more than the Capt.
@@kellyanderson7624 yep, he should have take over the control of the plane
@@kellyanderson7624
Except the co pilot was a liar.
Amazingly authentic cockpit reenactment by the actors. Chilling actually. "Get theritis" really takes a toll in GA.
Get theritis ?
@@Mangaka-ml6xo get there-itis, took me a sec too
Being a survivor of this crash would be crazy. Reminds me of final destination 😬
I met a survivor from this flight today. Sweetest man ever, still flying the world after surviving this crash.
I was trying to catch up with Real Housewives of Beverly Hills but this is WAY more addicting. I cant stop 😱
Unfortunately these are true...RHOBH are not. Fellow housewives fan and, wonder fan.
Me too! I’ve missed all my shows for3 days binge watching this lol
Me too! I’ve missed RHOBH for the last couple of seasons and now don’t recognize most of them....lol.
lol what a gross show... who would watch that and why?
Alexa In 3 days I already watch like 10...I can't stop.
The lesson: being late is better than being harm.
Be late or become harm
Better late than never
Unfortunately people will always rush and make mistakes because they are rushing
in my country we have saying which means :
"being late is better than getting to destination quickly"
and this saying is for times like what happened in this video
Or better still better than been dead....
Two things I've learned watching Mayday, that you can do yourself to reduce your chances of dying as a passenger:
1. Check the weather prior to the flight. There are various sites with pretty accurate weather simulation.
2. Avoid nighttime flights. Daytime flights are less dangerous as VFR flying is possible and makes it easier to visually spot any problems on the engines/wings/fuselage, on time.
Certain seating like being on top of the wing as well (well depending on the type of disaster) ~stronger structurally
@@megyskermike Correct
@@megyskermike The tail section is the strongest part of any plane.
And now I’m thinking I’ll check the type of plane
I do this already. I check the weather and try my best to book day flights.
What I have learned from binge watching these videos is…
1. Don’t fly in bad weather. Don’t book a flight during those times.
2. If you do fly chose a seat at the back of the plane.
Having a seat in the back of the plane doesn’t do anything tbh because it depends on where the impact is and you never know where the impact is going to happen
The seats in the middle aren’t safe either because they usually are under or very close to the fuel tanks
3. Don’t take a dump in the plane toilet during severe turbulence
@@wtf5749True. And in this crash even people in the back got injured. It always depends on the situation.
I've watched probably 50 of these "Mayday" episodes, and, although this is an older episode, I think this is one of the best ones.
"We couldn't believe life went on because for us, it just stopped."
Now I know what it means, what it felt like, what this line truly felt like. Mine isn't similar to these airplane crashes, but something that almost cost me my life as well.
Years ago I was on my second leg of the flight back home from Charlott NC airport to Canton/Akron airport. It was late, dark, was on a very small plane as I was the only passenger. We flew through a lightening storm. Having the very kind stewardess to myself, I asked her if we were safe. She said to me, "do you see the wing out the window?" "Yes". She continued, "do you see the angel there on the wing?" She shared her chocolate covered pretzels with me as we watched the lightening and arrived safely at the airport.
My mom had a faded sticker on her old Buick that said never drive faster than your angel can fly...rip. Mom..thanks for everything.
CHOCOLATE PRETZELS
What a gem!!
What an amazing flight attendant!
What??
when she said "you find out who your friends are" just struck me in the heart. How could anyone not support these survivors? I feel for her and everyone involved.
Greg Feith is a genius who took the chaos of airliner crashes and made sensible explanations of how and why. Such a terrific leader in his position.
NTSB answer to GQ
I've been in a plane that was landing in DFW Airport in the 90's when the plane was hit by a strong wind shear. The pilots did good by suddenly veering upwards and fast. It felt like a roller coaster moment. I wasn't afraid. We circled the Airport and landed safely. That's when the captain said he had to to the sudden move to avoid a crash.
He did a go around. 👌
I think your story is complete BS, however if that is you in the thumbnail photo, I would do anything to meet you. Don't care if you have the word wifey in your user ID
One of the most important things a pilot needs to know is, when they are in over their head.
I was on a flight from Dallas to San Antonio in a storm like this. We circled.S. A. for over an hour in the 1970's. Three of us in our early twenties were seated in the very back of the plane, and we were getting bounced around badly. The attendant kept serving us drinks, and we were really lit when we got to the terminal!
The very first thing that the cabin crew does is to STOP all food and beverage service.
@@thebeaz1 Yeah now, not back in the early 70's!
@@thelogicaldanger yes, back in the 70's.
@@thebeaz1 Flight attendant error.
I flew in a bad storm not long ago and was so scared, you could also feel the pilot is pushing the plane to get past the storm, we where flying so fast
Never gonna complain about flight delays ever again. I rather take the train than die because someone was in a rush.
It is true Sir/Ma'am
Don't rush because you don't know if what will happen next after your flight
It was only a 5 hour car ride between the takeoff and landing...it's amazing how much danger people will out themselves in (in these specific circumstances) to save maybe 1 or 2 hours of time. Especially in the days of beefed-up security after 9/11, you really have to question whether just renting a car is more prudent.
@@bernlin2000 Excellent point!
These videos give me so much anxiety but I can’t stop watching them🥲
As a pilot, when the FO said the crosswind was at limits (even for dry), and then the Captain was saying in essence 'I don't like this', multiple times I was "divert to your alternate", but when you are on a flight deck it is complicated.
On board an American flight into Little Rock this past December- guess the crew got the memo as we turned back to Denver when the snow coverage on runway was deemed unsafe.
Damn 🥴
The question still stands. Did the American A/L dispatcher in Denver KNOW that Little Rock was under snow and ice conditions? Its not as if the flight originated in London and you face a variation in destination weather conditions while enroute. The airline somehow bearly follow rules just to get the flight in the air and justify keeping the value of the fare. Meanwhile it puts everyone at risk just for the money.
@@gerardpully762 I have seen weather forecasts change in short time. That dispatcher knew it could go either way most likely. We were in holding pattern for at least 40 min flying above that endless cloud bank. The plane was eerily quiet- i don't think anyone in the plane was wanting to just go for it. I'll never forget it- nor the folks on flight 1420.
@@lynnfarley7859 I sense what you mean and do hope that you and others accept the event as an experience and not allow any hurt to affect you any further. Big hug from South America.
@@gerardpully762 thank you 😊
I have been in a plane landing during a thunder storm and high winds where the plane was jumping left/right and seemed to slide sideways a bit initially on landing. It was terrifying to me but no where near what this plane was doing before landing. My plane made it. To me it seemed telling that something was wrong and that should not have happened as the stewardess were very apologetic as they thanked us for flying Delta and hoped to see us again. " Thank you for choosing Delta. We are sorry for the rough ride but hope to see you again in better skys." Our pilots who usually at least one is also standing at the door saying goodbye were both in the cockpit, door cracked open and looked covered in sweat, exhausted and frazzled.
I am not at all comparing to say I understand or have been on the same level. The passengers on this flight had to experience something I hope I never have to go through in my lifetime. It is tragic that anyone died at all. Worse so many in this case. What I felt and experiences only gives me a realization of my good fortune from a similar situation as to what their approach to the airport was.
I only bring up my experience because of what was said at the close of this episode. The preasure put on the pilots with the time limits. The allowable work hours being so close to what the trips are already expected to take leaves little to no room for delays. The pressure to complete the planned flight and not chose the alternate landing or turn back. The ideal that inconveniencing the passengers a little is worse than endangering their lives to land at the planned destination is crazy!! It is image and profit over lives. The public at large will remember all the hassles the airline more than a fatal crash. The inconvenience was personally impacting, will be remembered longer, come up when chosing and airline next time and the news of the crash will fade from memory. Image and profit over safety. It is horrible and sick!
My heart goes out to those affected by thus tragic crash.
underrated comment
AA had a lot of these crashes in 1990s . I’m surprised they didn’t go away instead of merging and being kept alive compare to continental or us airways
That is true I'm surprised they didn't die off like Panam when they had all there crashes in the 70s and 80s
It's easy to negativity judge these 2 pilots, when we were not the ones flying the plane,and not being under all that stress. The Captain's mistakes, cost him his life and the life of other's.
I always sit by the wing on a plane. I love watching the mechanics of it work, especially on take off and landing. And when weather is choppy, I've stared at the spoilers and what not as we come in for a landing and wondered if we were gonna make it. seeing them strain against the high speeds and hearing the engines fight against slowing down...
It's tense moment.
I can't imagine that moment going wrong.
I won’t sit by the wings after watching these. I’m not a nervous flyer, but I’ve seen too many of these that end up with explosions from the fuel tanks…
Anyway, I realize it’s a little silly since the likelihood that it’ll matter statistically is very small. Still, it’s almost become a superstition with me.
@@PetThePeeves I remember one episode where the only survivora were seated on the wing. They had more chances to survive.
Board: (list of flights being canceled) weather warnings
Me: I'll take another flight
Counter: Oh it should be fi-
Me: I'll take another flight 🙂
Probs I think with COVID it’s gotten a little less stressful.
Well apart from COVID it’s self
Same here.
Why all the adds from right wing nutterbutters
Man I see so many comments like "they should have done x." Like- yes they SHOULD have. It's so much easier to say "they should have diverted or stayed in a hold above the airport", but I want to see you people get into airplanes and make perfect decisions every time you fly, while being put under immense pressure to do so.
They doubted there own decision and were not in a stabilised approach which is the rule for most companies at a certain level for this reason as to not forget the basics of landing checklist.
Unless both pilots agree and visualise then it shouldn't be happening.
I agree. It is easy to be an armchair pilot. But things tend to look a lot different when you are actually the PIC (pilot in command) dealing with this.
I know what u mean.. but this was like common sense in a way.. rip all the lives who were lost
Should have comments are easy when lying, safely in a comfortable bed lol. But I also understand - it's said out of wanting to change the situation and the better action to take is always easier to see in hindsight than when in the heat of the moment. Your mind is in a different place when in high-stress situations. Bless 'em all.
The problem is:
You HAVE to make perfect decisions when you are in charge of a large, inherently dangerous ,fast moving vehicle with many lives at stake.
"they minimized it, so you want to find a way to hurt them"
Just one problem with that- American airlines wouldnt be paying- the INSURANCE would be paying for it all, and as a bonus the airline gets a new plane
Living near the Atlanta Airport, the busiest in the world, hearing hundreds of planes flying over me daily, I continue to always be amazed at how they almost never crash.
So true. I believe the last major crash in the US was the crash of Colgan 3407 outside Buffalo in 2009. Considering the number of flights in the US on any given day....over 12 years without a major crash is remarkable. If one looks at the 70's as an example there were over 20 major crashes in just that one decade.
Mark is such an understanding compassionate and forgiving soul. I want to be like him
Once we sat on the tarmac on a flight from Detroit to DC waiting for authorities to decide whether the plane was to fly out as they were grounding and closing the airport due to severe storms. Believe it or not, the pilot said “hey folks, this is our lucky day, we’ve been ok’d for the last flight out of Detroit this afternoon.” As soon as we completed lift off, I could see lightening on both sides of the plane. We literally raced against the storm. We landed in DC and torrential storms rolled in behind us. Guests were saying “this was the worst weather I’ve ever driving in” while we said “this is the worst weather we’ve ever flown in.”
Shee-it. You literally lucked out as you dodged the storms! I'm sure you were beyond grateful you made it out Alive. But I wonder, if they'd been denied clearance to go and you'd been delayed,how do you think you would have reacted? I know that knowing what I know now, I wouldn't be bothered by a delay in the slightest. Truly. Whatever is waiting for me at the other end can wait. But I'll never know if I'm dead...
I love how the same image of Illinois and Indiana stands in for both "The American South" in general and "Little Rock" in particular.
I love these vids, but I love them even more when I see that people survived
The captain's widow successfully sued the Airport for her husband's death, because of the illegal non-frangible approach light supports erected in what should have been the runway safety area was what actually killed him and the others.
" “The probable causes of this accident were the flight crew’s failure to discontinue the approach when severe thunderstorms and their associated hazards to flight operations had moved into the airport area and the crew’s failure to ensure that the spoilers had extended after touchdown” to slow the plane, the NTSB said in its 2001 report on the accident.
But part of Susan Buschmann’s lawyer’s argument at trial was that the lever to set the spoilers was found in the activated position and documents showed the airline hadn’t addressed several reports of spoiler malfunctions. "
not to mention, blaming the dead guy is the easiest thing
Impressive legal outcome, but it remains true that, as captain, he should have had the sense to divert, regardless of how close they were to landing. He tried to shotgun the approach and paid a terrible price, along with 9 others. A diversion to Nashville would have been quick and simple. No crew would fault a captain for wanting to divert in such dangerous conditions, and I doubt those passengers would have either.
A lawsuit in the US is not about facts, it is about who has the best lawyers that can tug on the heart strings of the jury. There are many issues with the argument:
1) it is NOT illegal to have non-frangible approach light supports, the runway safety area is not a law, it is a recommendation, and every airport has a different set up. In fact at the time the recommendation was only 500 feet past the end of the runway, and the "illegal non-frangible approach light supports" were 600 feet from the end of the runway... so ya, they didn't even violate the runway safety area as per the FAA.
2) A plane should never be landed in conditions out side of the limits of the plane, which is what happed.
And 3) A plane should never try to land if you are not stabilized, EVER! Which this plane was clearly not.
This is like a drunk driver suing the city for putting a lamp post next to a road, that he then crashed into because he was drunk.
The captain was 100% at fault, he was too busy trying to land and forgot to fly the plane, period. This is why the NTSB didn't change it's conclusions after this meaningless lawsuit, because they were right, and the jury has no clue how planes even fly, let alone how they should land.
@@ShionWinkler From this reenactment, it appeared the pilot was becoming more and more anxious. The more anxious, the more he was experiencing difficulty seeing, hearing and processing information. He really should have diverted to his alternate airport; but, hindsight is 20/20.
Shouldn’t have continued that approach regardless
This is so sad, the captain really messed up so many times! It is so scary to hear a pilot not be sure of the rules and questioning himself regarding the aircraft’s limitations when it came to bad weather, cross winds, landing on a wet runway etc, he just sounded clueless the whole time. When in doubt DIVERT! And when carrying hundreds of lives BE SURE! No one should be allowed to make decisions for others unless VERY SURE! - I will happily sit at the airport and wait until it is safe!
He wasn't a very good pilot. I don't know how he became a Captain. The new guy knew more than he did
@@kellyanderson7624 shut up. he was a good pilot. The courts ruled that everyone would have survived if the airport met safety standards
BS
Two years ago (or so,) my family was staying near Hartsfield-Jackson airport when a sudden t-storm came rolling through. We stood near our window and was watching as a jet was coming down to land but it, almost immediately, "revved" its engines and shot back up into the sky. Later that evening, after the storm passed, there were planes in a line to land again. Never seen anything like it.
One of my flights just before COVID was similar to this that pilots didn’t arm the spoilers because I sat at the window seat just behind the wings and I saw that the spoilers didn’t come up. Luckily it was a clear weather day but it definitely took more runway for the plan to slow down.
Flew to the Bahamas with my sister in a small jet. We came up on a storm, dark as night even though it was daytime, heavy rain and turbulence. We were scared. The pilots were great, it was an open cockpit. We couldn’t land until the storm died down. The landing was quick and tight, but it was another airport further from our destination. We didn’t care, we made it. It was the first time I ever flew.
It's a miracle that only 10 people died in this crash.
"American Airlines declined to take part in this film." I'm SO shocked. /sarc
These companies don't care about people. They only care about money.
Lord have mercy I just got off 4 plans round trip! Thank God for his grace and mercy
Shame your 'god' didn't see fit to give his 'grace and
mercy' to the poor folk who suffered and died in this accident huh 🙄 ... oh... I forgot... 'he' works in mysyerious ways 🙄. You made it through your flights by the skill and experience of the pilots, so you need to be thanking THEM, not your invisible sky-daddy! 🙄
I think I’d rather the 5 hour drive from Dallas to Little Rock. Sure it takes longer than flying, but if there’s a storm rather be on the ground
A 5 hour drive is nothing to my family
Yeah Melvin, we all would...... With infallible hindsight.
@@kiwikiwi2483 and your point?
@@thebeaz1 Not sure... What's your point?
@@thebeaz1 You pressed lol
They didn't follow the landing checklist. Everything else set aside, the weather, the schedule, this is all because they didn't follow the checklist. This is basics of aviation. If you don't arm the spoilers you aren't going to be able to stop, especially on a wet runway.
They actually stopped without the spoilers. That plane wasn't moving.
@@SpicyTexan64 I guess you're right actually.
Do you have scientific proof of that assertion?
Even though I am a pilot, I am just a private pilot and I am not familiar with the dialogue between pilots in the cockpit, but I was shocked by the lack of discipline in communication. I am former military, and I expect the captain and the first officer to confirm audibly with each other. If the pilot says flaps 20, The first officer should say an immediate response, such as “affirmative.“ Then when the flaps reach the 20° position, the first officer should say, “flaps at 20” and the captain should reply, “affirmative.“ Something like that. It sounded like they were having some kind of bar room talk while they were flying this airplane. It was terrible discipline. I was shocked. I didn’t hear much about the checklist either, for any situation during this flight. They couldn’t even get it straight on what Crosswind allowance limitations were. It was shocking that they thought that maybe they could have a higher crosswind under wet conditions as opposed to dry. These guys were not competent enough to be in charge of those lives of so many people. Shameful.
Valerie Rodger: fatigue is definitely a factor in any kind of navigation, and I appreciate you pointing that out.
We can all look forward to the day when this is all automated because it will be much safer as computers don’t suffer any fatigue whatsoever.
Maybe you have noticed that astronauts do not fly rocket ships and they have not done so for decades, except for the ridiculous anomaly with the final landing of the space shuttle, there was no need for the pilots, but they let them do it as a matter of pride, that is how stupid NASA is.
Automated systems are precise and they don’t make mistakes. When they are backed up by multiple CPUs handshaking and with watchdogs, they cannot be even remotely matched by human capabilities.
We’ve got to get pilots out of the cockpit and people out of the driver seat in cars. The world will be much better.
We have the technology to do it, we have long had it for airplanes which is a much easier thing to solve than high traffic automobile travel. The stumbling block is the pilots union, those arrogant idiots, and a calcified air liner manufacturing industry.
Look at how stupid the cockpit displays are, they have simply taken analog instruments and digitize them. How stupid is that.
Things like what space ex is doing and Tesla, that is the right thing. Take a look at a Tesla you can see a Birdseye view of the car and all the traffic around it on the main display. That kind of technology was available for airplanes decades ago, and that would have greatly improved the situational awareness of pilots. I know all this stuff because of my Air Force experience, my pilot experience, and my engineering experience. I am truly disappointed with the engineers that design the user interface for most airliners, they are so stupid and antiquated.
The more people know what is at stake during severe weather flying, the less their Karen meltdowns will pressure an already severely capitalized industry to risk life. The groan when flights are delayed always baffle me. I've travelled around the world and its better late and alive than on time in a casket!
I was on the last flight before all others were cancelled during the 2021 Joplin tornado. The turbulence was insane, it was seatbelts on the whole way - I would have skipped that flight if I had known about the severe weather. A few of us ended up taking minor head injuries. From now on, severe weather = giving up my seat.
I assume you meant the 2011 Joplin tornado.
People do not realize how many people have died because of human error, keeping a schedule, or the management of an airline and it is all about the money.
Yes, I can testify to that. I like how you get all the comments from people that probably have no clue on how airlines operate.
Yup. Yay, capitalism. Anything for that $$.
That’s LIFE. Everyone has their part in it.
The pilots could have flew to another airport
@@olufemisunday4298 exactly
Flight 1420's first officer, Michael Origel, is still flying for American Airlines today.
Wow. So he not fired huh
He shouldnt be flying at all
@@deannataylor6638 y not
@@Interdictiondeltawing y would he?
@@deannataylor6638
I'd have him as my pilot any day, any month any year.
He lived through a harrowing ordeal, that means he absolute won't let it happen again.
People make mistakes, then the smart ones learn a lot .
This a good channel. What's up w/ the British guys, Disaster Breakdown is another great channel. Lots of detail.
U have some problems against british guys?
@@itsbwoken1473 dude Based Boomer is literally giving them credit 🤣
The More I watch these videos,
I'm in awe,it's amazing that people can survive them,
And at the same time I'm disgusted that 98 percent of the crashes are pilot error due to pressure put on them by their employer,AA should be held totally responsible
They knew very well they were out of limits for landing and they tried anyway. This is probably the worst case of pilot negligence I've seen on these shows.
I used to fly to Switzerland for work sometimes, to Basel airport, and one time the weather was particularly bad. As we started going down the plane was shaking more and more, and I had a really bad feeling about it all. We tried to get down a couple times, but eventually the pilot diverted us - pretty far, too, I think to Strasbourg ? - my trip took a couple extra hours, but I was sooooo thankful we wouldn't try to land for real in that wind.
This music really sets the tone of confusion, tragedy, sorrow, regret, and permanent emotional scars.
This is SO not the point, but the actor playing the first officer has a beautiful voice.
Fun fact. He actually narrates Air Crash Investigation for Canadian viewers
@@cureforintroversion1262
As well as plays ATC in a few episodes.
@@Penoatle I remember he played a TWA pilot but when did he play ATC or was he an off screen voice?
He has 😍 like honey 😂
Nothing gives me relief than seeing survivors get interviewed.
The pilots had enough information to land at alternate or delay landing until the weather passes the airport
It's not like driving a bus, diversions are not looked upon lightly,(extra costs )to the airline) there's the Fuel State, having sufficient to divert is one thing,then meeting with a similar occurrence at the NEW target landing, with the associated costs to both Pax and AirlineEasy with a Bus, Aircraft demand somewhat more and all extras are mega bucks too. Terry Offord
@@terryofford4977 I hope unsafe landings are not looked upon lightly by airlines as well. Especially, those that lead to fatalities.
Considering airplanes have crashed from circling airports and running out of fuel, I would be cautious about that suggestion to circle around. Diversion would have been best, it's awful that airlines pressure pilots to ever land in such conditions.
@@bernlin2000 You do not make sense .. if you can divert you can circle
He's a wicked pilot
Ah yes, the super dangerous Kaboom type lightning
And lightning that lights up the inside of the plane for a second, wow 🤯
Seems legit
I smiled to myself when she said "kaboom!" 🌩
I was an Agent for a major Airline, there is a push to get planes out, but times I cancelled a flight due to unsafe weather, the passengers were the first to yell. I would say do you want to wait or hope you get there safely, people always wanted to take the chance, luckily Cpt didn't give a choice. Passengers automatically think they will safely get to destination no matter what the weather is
RIP
Richard Buschmann
(1950-1999)
and
To the 10 passengers of American Airlines Flight 1420
I like the narrators voice, even when he says schedule . Thanks for uploading these
You're right. He's quite good. And Brits' pronunciation of -schedule- is foreign to us Yanks! :)
50:59 Asking someone if they are "ok' may be done with the best of intentions, but I can understand why it would be frustrating after awhile. But his continued experience of symptoms of trauma really drives home how an event like this scars someone forever.