Top 10 Air Disaster Videos of All Time | Smithsonian Channel
TLDRThis script recounts several dramatic aviation incidents, including a DC-8 cargo plane's struggle with weight and balance issues, a China Airlines flight's emergency landing and evacuation, a rogue Learjet's mysterious flight, and a Concorde's catastrophic takeoff. It also covers the miraculous survival of passengers in a Hudson River landing and the harrowing experiences of flights battling fires, engine failures, and control issues.
Takeaways
- 😨 The script describes multiple aviation incidents, highlighting the challenges pilots face in emergency situations.
- 🚁 Captain Kevin Stables and his crew on Emery Worldwide flight 17 struggle with a 30-year-old DC-8 cargo plane's weight and balance issues during takeoff.
- 🛫 The sudden takeoff of the DC-8 leads to an uncommanded left bank, indicating a serious balance problem that forces an emergency return to the airport.
- 🔥 China Airlines flight 120 experiences a post-landing engine fire, prompting a rapid evacuation of all 157 passengers without injuries, demonstrating a successful emergency response.
- 🛩️ A rogue Learjet flying off course captures national attention, with F-16 fighters scrambled to track it, ultimately finding it as a 'ghost plane' due to frost-covered windows.
- 💥 The Learjet carrying Payne Stewart and five others crashes in South Dakota, with no survivors, highlighting the tragic outcomes of such incidents.
- 🔥 Flight 2120 suffers a catastrophic in-flight fire, leading to a crash with 247 passengers and 14 crew members dead, marking the deadliest DC-8 crash in history.
- ✈️ Concorde flight 4590 experiences a takeoff disaster, veering left and catching fire, ending in a crash into an airport hotel with no survivors.
- 🌊 US Airways flight 1549, piloted by Captain Sully Sullenberger, makes a successful emergency landing in the Hudson River after losing engine power due to a bird strike.
- 🛬 Asiana flight 214 has a turbulent landing in San Francisco, with the tail torn off and an engine on fire, leading to a complex evacuation and rescue operation.
Q & A
What was the initial problem with Emery Worldwide flight 17 as it took off?
-The initial problem with Emery Worldwide flight 17 was that the DC-8 cargo plane pitched upward much more steeply than it should have during takeoff, indicating an issue with the aircraft's weight and balance.
What is the significance of the term 'V1' in aviation?
-In aviation, 'V1' refers to the decision speed. It is the speed at which the aircraft has committed to takeoff and is too fast to safely abort the takeoff.
Why did the crew of Emery 17 declare an emergency?
-The crew of Emery 17 declared an emergency due to an extreme balance problem with the aircraft, which made it difficult to control and necessitated a quick return to the airport.
What was the critical situation faced by the pilots of China Airlines flight 120 after landing?
-After landing, China Airlines flight 120 faced a critical situation when a fire broke out in one of the engines, prompting an urgent evacuation of the passengers.
How did the passengers and crew of China Airlines flight 120 manage to escape the burning plane?
-The passengers and crew of China Airlines flight 120 managed to escape the burning plane by following an evacuation checklist and using the emergency escape rope to exit through the side window, with all 165 people escaping unharmed.
What was the unusual situation with the rogue Learjet that captured national attention?
-The rogue Learjet was flying hundreds of miles off course, leading to a nationwide alert. The plane was eventually found to be a 'ghost plane' with no movement inside and covered in frost, indicating that the crew and passengers were incapacitated.
What was the cause of the crash of Payne Stewart's Learjet?
-Payne Stewart's Learjet crashed due to running out of fuel, leading to a loss of control and a subsequent crash into a hayfield in South Dakota, with no survivors.
What was the critical issue faced by the pilots of flight 2120?
-The pilots of flight 2120 faced a critical issue of an onboard fire that rapidly spread, causing loss of control and hydraulics, ultimately leading to a crash with a tragic loss of life.
What was the unique challenge faced by Captain Dardano during the emergency landing of US Airways flight 1549?
-Captain Dardano faced the unique challenge of landing a Boeing 737 on the Hudson River after losing all engine power due to a bird strike. He had to make a high-speed water landing, which he managed to do successfully, saving all passengers and crew.
What was the cause of the accident involving Asiana flight 214?
-The accident involving Asiana flight 214 was caused by a hard landing that resulted in the tail of the plane being torn off and an engine catching fire. The pilots had difficulty controlling the aircraft during the landing approach.
Outlines
🛫 Emery Worldwide Flight 17's Critical Takeoff
Captain Kevin Stables and First Officer George Land are preparing for a routine freight flight on a 30-year-old DC-8 cargo plane. As they load the last containers, they calculate the weight and balance of the plane. During takeoff, the plane unexpectedly pitches upward steeply, leading to an uncommanded left bank. The crew realizes they have a severe balance issue and must return to the airport immediately. They declare an emergency, and the ground proximity warning sounds as they struggle to maintain control. Despite the challenges, they manage to get the plane back to the airport, narrowly avoiding a collision with China Airlines Flight 120, which is also facing its own emergency with an engine fire upon landing.
🔥 China Airlines Flight 120's Engine Fire
As China Airlines Flight 120 lands smoothly, the crew and passengers are alerted to an engine fire. The pilots follow an evacuation checklist and prepare to open the doors. Despite the urgency, the evacuation is orderly, with passengers and crew prioritizing safety. George Ishizaki, a witness inside the terminal, captures the unfolding disaster on his camcorder. The plane has been burning for nearly three minutes, increasing the risk of explosion. Miraculously, all 165 people on board escape unharmed, making it a rare instance of a large-scale evacuation without injuries. Meanwhile, a rogue Learjet is tracked by the FAA, escalating the tension as the nation watches the drama unfold.
🚁 The Ghost Plane: Payne Stewart's Tragic Descent
The nation is captivated by the story of a rogue Learjet flying off course. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are notified, and F-16 fighters are scrambled to track the plane. Experts speculate on the possible causes, such as hijacking or mechanical failure. The F-16 pilots eventually catch up with the plane, discovering it covered in frost with no signs of movement inside. The Learjet, carrying Payne Stewart and five others, is now a ghost plane. Calculations predict it will run out of fuel over South Dakota or North Dakota. Tragically, the plane crashes into a hayfield in South Dakota, with no survivors. The incident highlights the tragic consequences of uncontrolled flights and the urgency of understanding the causes behind such incidents.
💥 Flight 2120's Fiery Descent and Crash
Amid confusion in the cockpit, the pilots of flight 2120 are unaware of smoke in the cabin. Mechanic Jean-Paul Phillipe realizes the severity of the situation as an onboard fire threatens to consume the aircraft. The crew struggles to maintain control as the fire spreads, leading to a loss of hydraulics and flight control problems. Despite desperate attempts to land in Jeddah, the plane crashes, resulting in the worst accident for a Canadian airline and the deadliest crash of a DC-8 in history. The Concorde's high fuel consumption is also highlighted, emphasizing the challenges of operating such advanced aircraft.
🌪️ Concorde's Catastrophic Takeoff and Crash
On a routine day, Air France 4590 is cleared for takeoff. As the Concorde accelerates, the crew reaches the decision speed (V1), beyond which they cannot abort the takeoff. Suddenly, the plane veers left, and the flight engineer urges the captain to abort, but it's too late. The plane lifts off, only to be engulfed in flames. The captain struggles for control as the engineer attempts to shut down the burning engine. The plane's airspeed drops dangerously low, and the crew tries to land at Le Bourget airport. Tragically, the supersonic jet slams into an airport hotel, marking a devastating day in aviation history.
🛬 Fine Air Cargo Flight 101's Emergency Landing
Fine Air Cargo Flight 101 prepares for takeoff from Miami to the Dominican Republic. The crew follows standard procedures, but as they reach decision speed (V1), the plane begins to veer left. The air traffic controller alerts them to the problem, but the crew fights to regain control. Despite their efforts, the plane crashes in the heart of Miami, resulting in the tragic loss of the three crew members and a security guard. The incident underscores the challenges and risks faced by pilots during critical moments in flight.
🌊 US Airways Flight 1549's Hudson River Ditch
US Airways Flight 1549 departs from LaGuardia Airport, heading for Charlotte, North Carolina. Shortly after takeoff, the plane loses all engine power due to a bird strike. Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Skiles quickly assess the situation and decide to land the plane on the Hudson River. The passengers brace for impact, and the plane lands smoothly on the water, becoming an unlikely boat. The crew and passengers work together to evacuate onto the wings and slide rafts, and all 150 passengers and the crew are brought to safety, demonstrating the effectiveness of proper emergency procedures.
🔥 Asiana Flight 214's Crash Landing in San Francisco
Asiana Flight 214 is nearing the end of its flight from Seoul to San Francisco. As the plane approaches the runway, passengers and the crew sense something is wrong. The pilots struggle to maintain control, and the plane crashes, tearing off the tail and causing an engine to catch fire. The passengers and crew face a daunting evacuation, with some using makeshift stairs formed by the crumpled fuselage. Fire crews at San Francisco International Airport battle to prevent the fire from spreading, and eventually, all passengers are safely evacuated, highlighting the importance of quick and coordinated emergency responses.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡DC-8 cargo plane
💡Weight and balance
💡V1
💡Center of gravity
💡Ground proximity warning
💡Evacuation
💡Rogue plane
💡Hydraulics
💡Concorde
💡Engine stall
💡Ditching
Highlights
Captain Kevin Stables and First Officer George Land face a critical takeoff with a 30-year-old DC-8 cargo plane.
An uncommanded left bank and extreme balance issues force an emergency landing attempt.
Pilots struggle to maintain control as the center of gravity is way out of limits.
China Airlines flight 120 experiences an engine fire shortly after landing, prompting an urgent evacuation.
A civilian Learjet goes rogue, captivating the nation and involving the National Transportation Safety Board.
F-16 fighters are scrambled to track the rogue Learjet, which eventually crashes in South Dakota with no survivors.
Flight 2120 suffers a catastrophic fire mid-air, leading to the deadliest crash of a DC-8 in history.
Concorde flight 4590 takes off with a mechanical failure, resulting in a disaster captured by the control tower.
Fine Air flight 101 crashes in Miami after losing control post-takeoff, highlighting the importance of decision-making at V1.
Cathay Pacific flight 780 faces a dual engine stall during descent, leading to a high-speed emergency landing.
A 737 experiences a total engine failure and makes a successful ditching in a canal in New Orleans.
US Airways flight 1549, piloted by Captain Sullenberger, lands safely in the Hudson River after a bird strike disables engines.
Passengers and crew of flight 1549 are evacuated onto slide rafts in the Hudson River, surviving a potential tragedy.
Asiana flight 214 suffers a tail strike during landing at San Francisco International Airport, leading to a dangerous fire risk.
Crews and passengers of Asiana 214 display heroism and quick thinking during the evacuation of the crash-landed plane.
The transcripts provide a comprehensive account of aviation disasters, emphasizing the importance of pilot training and crisis management.
Transcripts
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