Buffalo Airways Crew Fight To Keep Their Airline Alive | Ice Pilots | Wonder

When Yellowknife and the northern aviation community are rocked by three crashes in the space of a month, Joe places an extra emphasis on safety, which is why he only trusts himself to perform a dangerous-looking DC3 stunt landing for a visiting film crew. While new rampie Ryan tries to hack it in Hay River, Toronto dental hygienist Christine visits Buffalo for a trial run on the ramp - and gets thrown into the DC4 hot seat.-Omni Film
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Buffalo Airways is an airline based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. They mainly fly WWII-era piston powered propeller planes in minus 40 degrees and land on tiny strips of tarmac in the tundra.
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[@Cons_studios]

That was so sweet when all the planes went by paying the respects of everyone that died on the crash

[@Everything_E-Bike]

There’s a sad irony in this program. Joe was adamant that his crew shouldn’t have gone around when they weren’t sure about their undercarriage. He couldn’t be more wrong. If the captain of the 737 that crashed in Resolute bay at the beginning of the program had listened to his first officer and gone around at the first sign of problems they wouldn’t have crashed and lives wouldn’t have been lost.

[@MD-yq4vr]

Absolutely

[@Ephedrin666]

When you're not sure: go around. That's certainly true. But Joe's point is a different one and he's certainly not wrong here at all. The DC-3 locks in the pressure but that doesn't lock the gear down, it's a mechanical lock that actually is supposed to lock the gear. The hydraulic pressure assists on that and supports rough runways so the mechanical lock won't get stressed so much. The green light in the cockpit indicates the mechanical lock being in position. "Gear down and locked" means green light. If the pressure drops the gear has still a green light. Joe says the right thing about understanding the systems and that's why he's so angry. They raised a landing gear that's assumed to have lost pressure, if it really had lost fluid they would have had to emergency extend it. That's all unnecessary if you understand the system. A go around is never wrong but if what we see here was the case then it wasn't necessary.

[@Everything_E-Bike]

@@Ephedrin666 Yes, I think you’re making a good point. I agree, Joe was probably making the point that his pilots should have have enough understanding of the aircraft systems to know that the gear was safe. Having said that, I’m not sure I agree with his statement about a go around being more risky than landing. Maybe he could of said that they did the right thing on the basis that they weren’t sure the gear was locked, but they should have known that it was. I suppose it’s also important to look at this program in context. Joe is obviously a big character operating old aircraft in a unique environment. It seems like the old fashioned direct, shouty management approach is the norm!

[@renataavgeri1132]

​@Ephedrin666 yes. Always leave down an unsafe gear especially if it indicates down and locked

[@alexanderhean1041]

I never knew or remembered there being so many episodes of Ice Pilots but its great if that is the case because its a great series!

[@RamSkirata]

that was VERY impressive flying by Joe!

[@scottcol23]

There is a Mayday Air Disaster video of this crash. Look for Season 14 Episode 10 (First Air Flight 6560)

[@spaceghost4628]

Would you mind dropping the link? I can’t find it

[@Jamie-so5ei]

I can't find it either!

[@michaelbuske5195]

I meant to say it’s on the discovery channel sorry early morning lol

[@colincampbell7126]

The crash was CFIT, pilot error.

[@Agislife1960]

At 5:39 when Joe was taking off in the DC-3 he calls METO, which is an old school term only used by pilots who fly large piston engine aircraft, it stands for Maximum Except for Take Off, in regards to the power settings on the engines. Doing METO power takeoffs is one of the few ways to limit having cracked cylinders on the engines.

[@WitchidWitchid]

Thanks for explaining this. I have for quite a while been trying to figure out what METO was.

[@pamshewan9181]

The DC-3 looks positively heroic

[@DonKelleyMusic]

Joe sees it as RISK to do a go around??? Nice try joe. It is a risk to LAND when there is trouble with landing gear and no time to lock it using either of the backup methods.

[@maytagmark2171]

You didn't hear what Joe had to say?

[@BobSmith-dn6ed]

Joe and 74 gear would not get along!

[@screamingparrot2436]

@@BobSmith-dn6ed He definitely should do one of his pilot reacts episode on this one! I’m just a flight simmer/ aviation enthusiast but I pick the minds of pilots all the time including my father in law. I’ve heard it a few times now. “When in doubt fly it out” referring to go arounds. They’ve told me it’s better to do a go around then to have a bad outcome.

[@krismania7070]

Joe may not make an occasional stab at humour, but, boy, can he fly a DC3! A masterly performance by any standards!

[@grumpyoldfart1945]

I have always respected Joe for his experience and expertise. However, his apparent attitude regarding the go-around was both surprising and disappointing. If the gear had collapsed and there was bent metal and/or casualties, what would have been his reaction? I hope his attitude was for the drama of the show and not his true feeling. The PIC has final authority and, from what we were shown, the go-around was a wise decision.

[@stevem7868-y4l]

Totally agree, the go around, was and always will be the best scenario, when the Pic, was not happy with the Aircraft config, and had more time to analyse the defect

[@7ofmine258]

No. He said there are 3 separate locks. Learn them, or, feel the wrath. There is a reason hes still flying!

[@buzzlite3]

Agree, Joe is totally wrong.

[@kevincollins8014]

If I'm flying and I hear the magic words "Go around" we're going around no questions asked. It's called CRM. If your copilot says go around there isn't time to ask why just do it. Get some altitude and sort it out. If it turns out it wasn't necessary so what at least you live to fly another day.

[@glenpuyallup3847]

@@7ofmine258 Why did not Joe teach and train his pilots, that is on him.

[@nicka8718]

I've grown to dislike Joe, it seems like its his way or the highway. The decision to go around was the right call, but Joe questioned it. Making up crazy scenarios that weren't even happening to make it seem like going around to double check everything was a risk.

[@chrisangus463]

You both dont understand how vast and mostly cold these places are and how he grew up its life or death and hes old school its that simple

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Joe is a cantankerous old dinosaur. Just like all his planes and company.

[@eric144144]

Ryan walked out when he realised the contempt and disdain Buffalo had for their junior employees. Expecting young men to keep the living quarters clean and tidy is ridiculous.

[@skyblazer9137]

Never saw this episode before.

[@toma5153]

Runway overshoots are bad? Hardly. Always plan for a go around. If the landing looks questionable you go around.

[@ChristopherGray00]

It's aviation 101, if someone has a problem with that chances are they have no idea what they are talking about.

[@kevincollins8014]

I cringed every time they call it an overshoot. The only time I've ever heard overshoot in aviation is flying past the runway on base leg or way too high on final 😆. A go around is something completely different and should never be questioned where i come from.

[@robertgary3561]

It’s dramatic TV

[@terrysmith1307]

Love the series from Australia

[@saoirse.2823]

these are so addicting :/

[@ah7722]

Anne Marie looked like a sweetheart, she had a very angelic face, RIP

[@chel8144]

She truly was. Absolutely devoted to her professions and family

[@guttergirl5939]

I dont bawl easy and your tribute made me bawl like a baby! Damn it!

[@16jan1986]

If in doubt go around

[@shilra2272]

This happened 11 years ago why is this being posted now

[@johnwinner8511]

Should update to Hercules planes . Weird didn't the plane have auto pilot warning system for closeness to the ground ?

[@johnwinner8511]

These modern planes can land themselves if necessary. Don't even need a visual.

[@urbansnipe]

seems joe has a very wierd attitude showing getitonthegrounditis which leads to more accidents than a Go around which for some reason they call an overshoot

[@sthomas6369]

I wish they'd put up when these episodes took place. The First Air 6560 accident happened August 20, 2011.

[@johnnunn8688]

I’ve never heard a Capt say, to a co-pilot, ‘keep that runway, right between your legs’! I wonder what he was REALLY thinking about 🤭.

[@brentdykgraaf184]

Joe ! W.t.h.! Safety first man..knowing gear is locked is better than hoping it is.

[@williamrandall1415]

Well done.

[@dansbrown1313]

That was cool, I really like the people at Buffalo Air.

[@Brian-Boru]

Cant belive that boss putting pressure on pilots to not do go arounds! If in doubt go around, safest option for everyone. Disgusting show

[@sharoncassell9358]

It costs fuel.

[@rakmanyt]

There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots. With 3 landing gear locks, Joe is correct in new pilots don't know the systems or how to fly in anything but good weather and normal conditions.

[@hubertziegler9361]

Gruß aus Germany

[@michaelrichey6783]

Guten abend !

[@davidalexander4043]

was the crew IFR trained

[@guttergirl5939]

Lmao @34:21 We must be related!

[@d2friezen226]

Sounds like a wonderful place to work;(

[@highpointsights]

Why Doesn't buffalo strap a P&W turbo prop on the DC3. I guess it's not uncommon?!?! Are they cranky about the cold weather?

[@jimpikoulis6726]

It's called an Over root

[@earlgreystoke3324]

"It always upsets me that pilots don't take...." more risks...with old, tired airplanes.

[@maxjasmine]

The pilot in command is his call.

[@maytagmark2171]

Quitter! I think Ryan just wants to be a joystick pilot.

[@michaeltetzner5847]

I wish the commentators would learn a bit more about aviation and aviation terms...A go-around, and a runway overshoot are 2 completely different things. And if you are not 100% sure about your landing gear, the go-around was is good choice, an gives you time to sort things out. And, a low fly-by with the wheels up, done by an experienced pilot like Joe, is not dangerous.

[@sanyfalkenberg4986]

Justin did the right thing that's my opinion and not even Joe can convince otherwise

[@НиколайДобрев-е7з]

Преди няколко месеца и тук в България загина пилот на самолет pzl m-18 bromader с 12 хиляди летателни часове

[@gtredin2793]

I mean who wants to live in. A dump 7 days a week no wonder they don’t wanna stick around

[@henrybertolette2496]

This Structure

[@lindsey361]

Rather be with than a uber in London xx

[@davidbrodlie]

A go around is never a dangerous option.

[@vladimirassalukas6726]

pilot need to read, study and show professionalism in his/her own - procedure knowledge etc, not by lifting cargos :D otherwise, just take cargoloaders and put them in the cockpit, as they load cargo very good :D

[@shilra2272]

At the end of the day Joe is always wrong the pilot is in command of the plane not him

[@mikehilbert9349]

I tried watching that TV series, it sucked.

[@MichaelVanHeemst]

Bruh

[@BALJIT147]

Anyone who gets angry at a pilot for doing a go around is themselves an incompetent pilot. Many planes have crashed because the crew waited too long to do a go around, or just didn't do one when they should have. Watching these videos has convinced me to never fly on Buffalo air lines.

[@ciroecharry1659]

all bull

[@DiabloOutdoors]

CLICK BAIT! "Fight To Keep Their Airline Alive" Nothing like that in this video...

[@mohammadfaizal8461]

Wow....!

[@bobbyraw7215]

It was a very scary thing that happened, let me go fliy on a poorly maintained 70 year old pos as tribute

[@sheslikeheroin93]

If you have to ask, you ALWAYS go around. what kind of pilot is he?

[@starbutterflyandmarcomarco5053]

Midnight prayer with offerings to Yahweh everyday.

[@therobloxians3745]

1st from stream

[@aurelnegrea7617]

Rep it up enough of this nonsense. Struggling just go do something else people…. That kind of business requires tones of money…

[@milkyo1206]

1st

[@carlospar3727]

😏 An overshoot is when you end up not aligned with the runway or you approach way long and end up past the runway. A GO-AROUND is a maneuver executed to regain a safe condition. If Joe wants to fly every f'ing plane in his company, then more power to him. He's been around for a long time and has a lot of experience, but his trauma from the list of accidents has translated into fear and hesitation. The PIC gets to make the call to land or go-around. Otherwise...Joe, drop your coffee cup, get your gear, go fly all your planes (rig 'em for RC?). Additionally, the most demanding military programs do not make pilots truck drivers, forklift drivers or delivery boys. Hire pilots to be pilots, ground crew to be ground crew. Joe, go big or go home. 😑 BTW, Chuck Yeager wasn't a stunt pilot. He was the real deal...a pilot's pilot.

[@DonKelleyMusic]

wow... so yes "this could happen in a dark airport where you can't safely do a go around".... no kidding. But this was NOT that scenario, so why endanger everyone?

[@levidaniel6140]

Exactly, the job the pilot is to make a decision based on the conditions. If you have a safe opportunity, then go around!

[@RobertTKlaus]

Good riddance Joe, you made lots of employees lives miserable for no good reason. I hate grumpy and mean people. Life is too short to spend a moment more than necessary around them! Everybody has a bad day, and there are times when you need to be harsh, but just that way everyday by nature, FU goodbye from my life...

[@sthomas6369]

Umm, an "overshoot" is when you end up off the end of the runway. I think they mean "Go Around" when you abort attempting to land to come around and give it another try.

[@iflytb20]

Overshoot is another name for a go around. Going off the end of the runway is an overrun

[@sthomas6369]

Been in the aviation industry in the US since the early 1990’s, never heard a go around called an overshoot. Even in the Ice Pilot program, I don’t recall them using “overshoot” in other episodes, but they call it “go around.” I’ve never heard a pilot ask for “overshoot power” but “go around power” yes. Towers don’t ask you to overshoot for a plane on the runway, they say “go around.” Must be some wacky ICAO universe thing.

[@tabstabs1204]

@@sthomas6369 no it's not ICAO, it's a mistake. Even in France I learned the word "Go Around" for "Remise des Gazs" (full power to abort landing)

[@veritas41photo]

That flyby was truly amazing; a totally fitting tribute. Brought tears to my eyes.

[@lolMyke]

This seriously shows you how tight communities are up there. I have experienced it first hand. Even a massive company like Canadian north, I know there was no questions they will be there. If half of the towns and cities were this tight and cared about each other’s well being I think the world would be a very different place.

[@colincampbell7126]

Guy lasts one day…. Sure gives up easily. Can’t even handle a tough day. Wimp

[@kevincollins8014]

I totally agree with Justin! It's called CRM "Crew resource management".If either copilot or pilot say go around at anytime, we are going around immediately no questions asked. Get some altitude and sort it out. Even if you find out on climb out it wasn't necessary so what at least you live to fly another day.

[@barbarachambers7974]

I know CRM is extremely critical nowadays and some crashes have been attributed to poor CRM. 😢😢😢

[@kevincollins8014]

@barbarachambers7974 exactly there's no room for attitudes and egos in a cockpit or complacency for that matter

[@pjornowski1]

man this is a good reality check for any pilot.

[@wallywally8282]

Joe’s a fool in this case! Commercial pressure has no place in this business! A go-round is a completely normal procedure, he needs putting in his place!

[@pamshewan9181]

I love Buffalo.

[@alliethecat1895]

I love this series!!!!❤

[@nz3901]

Justin’s go around decision was what any PRUDENT AVIATOR would & should do - it was a standard decision & procedure & created no greater threat. Hypothesising about a “corner of the envelope” scenario weather wise “boot full of blood tanks empty nothing on the clock but the maker’s name” stuff is SO last century.

[@B763Chief]

CRM is an unknown term for Joe….

[@fdryer5116]

I enjoyed watching Buffalo Airways during reruns and missed it when Nat Geo or Discovery didn't renew. Old school flying, analog gauges and a mom and pop airline operation with personalities in a small community relying on cargo deliveries.

[@iNdUsTrIaLrOcKeR4U]

All those rampies there before Christine and she gets to be 1st pilot? Few understand the reach of sensuality in this life, the siren most. Not the call from Heaven, in anyway that is possible to be seen on Earth till one crash lands not in Heaven, Forever.

[@P-CROZIER]

Beautiful Aircraft and Beautiful Scenery.. 👍🏼

[@spaceghost4628]

I was watching one of these 37,000 ft in the air on the way home to LA from Miami… something is wrong with me LOL I’m going to get my pilot license and buy a Cessna one day, everything about aircrafts amazes me.

[@amberrose1108]

Get saved first, never know if you’ll crash, God forbid

[@quep1]

Don't matter if you do what that guy says, I'm not religious but do whatever

[@rosebudadkins6803]

R.I.P. all who perished. Condolences to family & friends. 🙏🌹

[@randyburton]

My condolence goes out to the family and friends😢😢😢😢😢

[@Guillermo90r]

I don’t quite understand Joe’s hate towards go-arounds.

[@sharoncassell9358]

He suggested it was unnecessary. The pilot didnt know the system. He flew C6 not DC3.

[@Guillermo90r]

@@sharoncassell9358 I realise he suggested it was unnecesary. However, a go around tends to be the safest option when someone is unsure about the operation of a system within an airplane. I say tends to be because there are a few real world exceptions.

[@soundslikebstome]

CHRISTINE!!!! AI-YI-YI...!!! LOVED HER PUMPS!

[@dandrakenholt5455]

A great TV-serie about a great life in the North.

[@Edmonton54]

Another EXCELLENT episode :)

[@iNdUsTrIaLrOcKeR4U]

Stunts done for a movie that probably made no money, LOFL.

[@jaymeseaston8117]

Ryan- good riddance. He wanted it all upfront without working to get together the down payment. I don't get it. Maybe he could fly for Air-France.

[@FernandoFlores-xi3mh]

And him speaking with his throat is annoying the heck out f me

[@raymondmerchant988]

They use rampies up

[@briandotlich472]

Is anybody really shocked that the pretty boy quit after a day or two? "Brah... like, this job is seriously cramping my style, brah"🙄

[@mikeohandley1922]

You guys need to work smarter, not harder. It's the same with keeping employees - find ways to make the business work smarter and not harder. When you guys had one or two planes your system made sense from a finance standpoint; but, now that you've got more planes, more clients, and more cargo to haul, it doesn't make sense anymore. Hire non-pilots as rampies. Choose guys who are used to heavy physical labor who will make great rampies and who don't have the slightest interest in being a pilot. They don't need to be skilled techs - just not stupid, and they'll need the ability to read, drive, and lift without injuring themselves. Everything else they can learn on the job. Let the pilots handle the flying, let the mechanics handle the maintenance, Let the load masters handle loading and determining weight distribution, let the flight attendants handle the cabin, without mixing up their duties. I'd never put an infantryman in charge of a howitzer, tell an MP he had to function as a 13C (Engineer/Demolitions Guy), nor let a tanker pull MP duty. Let them do what they're trained to be the best at and then let them work at IT until they ARE the BEST at what they DO - not what someone else should be doing. Sorry, just an old NCO spouting off. I do know something about getting the best performance out of lower-ranking NCOs, junior NCOs, and enlisted men though, all courtesy of 21 years in the US Army. Here's a thought - you can only do the best you can with what you've got when you've got it - don't squander what you've got, use it to best effect. That conserves troops and resources. That said, I've recently become addicted to this show. I may need to check into rehab before I'll be able to stop watching it. I like Joe - he's an old curmudgeon like me.

[@_Ben4810]

''I actually I worked at Buffalo, I can say that, well, not very long...Er-Huh-Huh-Huh, Er-Huh-Huh-Huh....'' 🤥🙄🤔

[@starfox198077]

Does anyone know the name of the movie that was filming?

[@wiserman100]

Nice wonkey flying, Joe! Wow. Total control of what looked like chaos.

[@kenmcleod8618]

So many other places to make living…Your choice only

[@BAboymr]

Which episode is it where he gets frost bite trying to fix the electra

[@documax123]

They are all distinct but this episode was particularly unique. And poignant. Thought provoking, a bit ironic in some sense too. Dangerous flying up there in the Arctic, for any plane and pilots. But that modern Boeing with all its tech crashes up there, and Joe's outfit and 70 year old propeller jobs are going in and out of those frozen hamlets daily. It's amazing.

[@Westjet1450]

Although you are right about most of this, the plane that crashed was a 737-200 made in 1968 and by no means new or a lot of tech although they probably upgraded some of the avionics

[@tonjie.]

Wonder osu

[@guillermomontoyo]

Joe needs to invest in better planes.

[@pilsplease7561]

Not really modern planes cant survive the enviroment

[@ChristopherGray00]

@@pilsplease7561 Really? Then tell me how planes work in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the airliners there have pretty modern planes.

[@fdc4810]

@@ChristopherGray00 It might surprise you but those countries are not actually that cold. My Sweden friend told me even in winter you have to travel way up north to see snows.

[@robertoler3795]

endless maintenance problems. weak airline

[@pilsplease7561]

These planes are like 80 years old or older of course they have issues maintaining them. You cant get parts.

[@duffmantm5440]

U think they would make a show of 99% of the time everything running well, theyre gonna make a show of the 1% going wrong.

[@robertoler3795]

@@duffmantm5440 no drive says the fat guy with mulitple chins

[@richardbaumgart2454]

Don't we have enough reality tv already? Ice road truckers....ice pilots...etc.etc. ....pass...i get enough drama at work

[@dankiburz4217]

That's rights Anything can happen when you fly junk planes that should be in a museum.