Cutting Corners | Ocean Crashes | FULL EPISODE | Mayday: Air Disaster

Shortly after takeoff, pilots discover a serious problem with the aircraft's tail. The stabiliser in the tail is jammed, pushing the aircraft toward the ground resulting in the plane diving 7000 feet, lose control and crash into the ocean.
On January 21 2000, Alaska Airlines Captain Ted Thompson and First Officer Bill Tanksy prepare for a routine flight to San Francisco. Shortly after takeoff, the pilots discover that the stabiliser is jammed and is pushing the aircraft toward the ground. The plane is unstable and tries again to free up the jammed stabiliser when the plane shudders violently and dives 7000 feet. The plane then plunges out of control again. The pilots continue to try to control the plane as it crashes into the ocean. Who do you think should be held accountable for the accident?
Find more ocean crashes and landings here: bit.ly/33ntOOb
From Season 1 Episode 5 "Cutting Corners": On January 21 2000, shortly after takeoff, pilots discover a serious problem on the aircraft's tail. The stabiliser is jammed, pushing the aircraft toward the ground, lose control and crash into the ocean resulting in a "tragic accident, that could never happen again".
Welcome to the OFFICIAL Mayday: Air Disaster KZbin Channel.
Mayday: Air Disaster is a dramatic non-fiction series that investigates high-profile air disasters to uncover how and why they happened. Mayday: Air Disaster follows survivors, family members of crash victims and transportation safety investigators as they piece together the evidence of the causes of major accidents. So climb into the cockpit for an experience you won’t soon forget.
Subscribe to the OFFICIAL Mayday: Air Disaster channel here: bit.ly/2PQnaMI
#MaydayAirDisaster #MaydayInvestigation #AirEmergency #MaydayEpisodes #planecrashes #airplanecrashes #Fullepisode #airplanedisasterdocumentary #aircrashinvestigation #AlaskaAirlines #CuttingCorners #Flight261

[@MaydayAirDisaster]

Who do you think should be held accountable for the accident?

[@Sir-Darmstadt]

Everyone

[@KrissyBlendz]

The people who’s suspended the whistle blower and did nothing to fix the problem with the T-tail. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@crisnestle639]

The Illuminati.

[@adamstone5865]

Whoever is responsible for maintenance is responsible, clearly the top management of the airline is also responsible because anything under you is your responsibility

[@ridenode1202]

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATE ENTITY. PERIOD. ENABLE AUTOMATIC PIERCING OF THE VEIL ON THESE SO CALLED SHIELDS THESE ENTITIES POSSESS. GREED IS THE CAUSE OF THESE TRAGEDIES.

[@bridgetrobinson3831]

The fact that the whistle-blower can never work in the industry again after fighting to keep passengers alive in the airline industry doesn't sit well with me as a passenger.

[@yengsabio5315]

Hear, hear!

[@Inspirednook]

I I rrrrrrtt

[@mannycastro1830]

With nobody i think my friend, it should be the complete oppisite. The guy blowing the whistle should get a better job do to his concern for human life and not for profits for the greedy airlines.

[@theincredibleimpression]

That's typical multi billion dollar corporations for ya! To them losing passengers is like accidentally dropping a penny in a convenient store! "They're a dime a dozen" All they care about is their reputations and when someone blows the whistle for the benefit of safety and humanity the corporations immediately shut him or her down and don't give a crap! These days money is the key object to greed and inhumanity!

[@damienheaton7571]

Bridget. I would like to inform you, that as of 2008, this whistle-blower named "John liotine" was my 4th term instructor in my aircraft maintenance school when I was getting my FAA licence

[@maujo2009]

I tip my hat to the actors portraying the actions of the pilots. What I never forget about this episode is their last words.

[@mapples007]

The same words Ive heard many times when you know you've past the point of no return.

[@lilyrrichard236]

Its chilling and heartbreaking when they try to fly inverted.

[@tomdipasquale9633]

I’ll never forget those words either! So heartbreaking to know you’re about to die!!😔😢

[@yssyplanes]

"Ah, there we go" 😭😭😭 Such heartbreaking and depressing words

[@lilyrrichard236]

@@yssyplanes agreed 😥

[@alyssa2796]

A company like alaska didn’t deserve pilots like these two. They fought until it was over. Alaska let everyone down

[@boostjunkie2320]

it was also a design flaw but I feel like Alaska knew

[@ericbeck1461]

Hence Bankruptcy

[@thedesertrat_9514]

@@ericbeck1461 Alaska didn’t go bankrupt though. They are one of the few airlines that actually learned the lessons from this accident and completely overhauled the company and management. They are now one of the most safest airliners in the world and are the only US based organization that made the top 10 list of safest carriers in the world

[@MGower4465]

Well, don't forget the pilots were trying to save their own lives, too. That's an extra incentive to keep trying.

[@Allan-et5ig]

You can say that again. All because of low or no grease. Horrible.

[@jeremyhubbard2908]

I feel so bad for the pilots, fought the plane to the bitter end because of a mistake that should have been fixed years ago.

[@kevinmalone3210]

Guess what, the maintenance for this aircraft was pure negligence. Intentionally done. All it needed was grease on the jackscrew in the horizontal stabilizer.

[@patrickflohe7427]

It wasn’t a mistake. It was deliberate deferred maintenance, and failure to replace a part that a mechanic condemned.

[@JCKei-hs7kx]

Because the airline was prioritizing profits above everything else! To them lives are cheap!

[@triton115]

Me too. Especially when they work for an airline with aged, worn out planes that require constant maintenance, including while on the tarmac and at the gate. Airlines that don't replace a plane until the wings and engines fall off.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

I feel bad for the inspector :/

[@Madhouse_Media]

I wish major Hollywood studios would use Mayday's casting department. The guys playing the pilots are fantastic.

[@sharoncassell9358]

That, those planes were a time bomb ticking just when, not if...

[@kevinmalone3210]

Well, at least in this episode. In some other episodes, the acting at times was a little iffy. 😅

[@dancollins8296]

These 2 guys were both on Broadway for a while. Great actors.

[@lawrence142002]

They do. Ray Kahnert and Barry Flatman (Captain Thompson and First Officer Tansky respectively) both have worked regularly in film and on TV. Kahnert started as a voice actor in the 80s, while Flatman's been working regularly since he had some TV work in 1976.

[@Perfectpearl]

😂😂

[@rachel9946]

These actors that portrayed the pilot and co-pilot are amazing.

[@cityplanner3063]

@Al Kaholik stop being a troll

[@howmathematicianscreatemat9226]

And the cameraman who took deadly stress for us :p

[@orenalbertmeisel3127]

Already seen it on another channel, but just want to say the pilots were absolute heroes who never gave up at attempting to save the plane during the last dive. The CVR transcript speaks for itself. Also the actors depicting the crew did an outstanding job And I was about to say that lessons were learned from this disaster, but then I realized those lessons about maintenance were already learned years prior. Looking back at it this accident feels so unnecessary. Anyone else agree?

[@crisper1614]

Maintenance errors are unnecessary. As an ex avionics tech there is no excuse for improper maintenance. None.

[@patriciamariemitchel]

I can't watch it again. They were flying the plane upside down and never gave up.🥺😥

[@patriciamariemitchel]

@DjCole100, not like they did.

[@mapples007]

@DjCole100 Can one not be self-heroic? There are different levels of self preservation. Those that go above and beyond what most could endure with or without other lives involved is a hero when used as a definition of human achievement of saving life.

[@theopulentone1650]

@DjCole100 I think many people would have let go of the controls and screamed for their lives until the plane inevitably crashed, these guys kept relatively calm, all things considered.

[@aewtx]

To me this was the saddest episode, and most frightening. "Here we go." Those pilots fought till the bitter end, and took their fate so stoically.

[@melisentiapheiffer3034]

I will never forget this one. Pilots did all that they could. 😢

[@NoriMori1992]

Same. That "Here we go" makes me want to cry every time. More than any other "last words" I've heard on this show. I can't even articulate why. It just… makes me think about how when you're a pilot in an airplane accident, sometimes there's a point where you know for sure you're going to die and there's nothing you can do about it. And for him, that was that moment.

[@rthelionheart]

There are some pilots who come from a military background before flying commercial.

[@kartikman7859]

@@aewtx dude you want saddest episode.. You open up for double plane collision that happen right above Ukraine.. You will be crying at the end of that episode

[@wounded.wonder]

I’ve watched so many of these but this one really touched me. The way they explained their loved ones was so beautiful. They had nothing left of them. Not even a dead body to bury. They became a memory and a very strong one.

[@cs77smith67]

Yeah it crazy that this happen. One of most touching I seen and what scare me most is I be flying 🛫 on one later today 😱. I don't know why KZbin recommended me plane crashing when I'm about to get on plane.

[@stephenmapeka7774]

@@cs77smith67 How did it go?Not scary i hope

[@cs77smith67]

@@stephenmapeka7774 I got suck out at 40,000 feet but I'm fine and will live 😂 naw I'm joking but it when awesome 👍😎 somebody was watching an airplane 🛫 crash movie 🎥 when we were in flight so that was weird but other then that, it when great. I'll be flying again soon this year to Thailand 🇹🇭, Philippines 🇵🇭 and other places

[@stephenmapeka7774]

@@cs77smith67 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣!

[@jimtalor7971]

As a former wrench turner, extending the time between inspection cycles beyond what the manufacture written is downright criminal!

[@theq4602]

It always comes down to management trying to think they are smarter than the people doing the actual work

[@debbiemanzonie1323]

Amen.

[@debbiemanzonie1323]

Amen!!!

[@JediMaster362]

Dang ol' amen, man.

[@SaintJimmy61]

Amen!

[@jasonjuneau]

Falsifying records, putting planes back into service and putting lives at risk, how do these people sleep at night?

[@AccentYouLovingheart]

🤷🏾‍♂️

[@coreymason3615]

Because greed rules over everything. It always has and with a lack of accountability.. serious accountability, it will never change.

[@midgie1166]

Each time they so it,it gets easier and easier

[@rthelionheart]

$$$

[@leifsprout]

When they view the lives of those on the plane as "lesser," they sleep incredibly easily if it means their bank accounts grow. "Bigger number, better person," is a common sentiment among those who have been completely lost to greed.

[@PlateletRichGel]

These pilots were awarded the highest award for bravery by the Pilot's association. Truly brave men.

[@Mohsin-ob5fn]

They fought to the end

[@countertop5952]

You wouldn't think this, but actually the pilots were alot calmer in real life. Up until the very last moment. The audio from the voice recorder is publically available and can be found on KZbin. Amazing how professional and brave these guys were.

[@deprofundis3293]

Thank you for the info. I'll have to listen to it.

[@anonnimoose7987]

tried looking, couldn't find it. it's ATC mainly

[@fuierago]

I kind of think sometimes when I revisit this, that had they had a more emotional response, NOT going through the ALASKAN MAINTENTCE route, and more MAYDAY, MAYDAY, that they would have gotten a more tailored response versus, 13 minutes talking to their corporation regarding a stuck elevator and downward pitch. Maybe they wouldn't have tried to "UNSTICK IT" by jaming it HARDER...

[@otten5666]

@@fuierago When you think panic is the answer..

[@andrewdinns1746]

both were ex-military, their behavior is to be expected from any ex-military pilot.

[@BillyAlabama]

These pilots in the end were heroes, never stopping their efforts even at the very last moment. Incredible fortitude and constitutions.

[@xoxpepe]

This episode is intense … those passengers lived a true nightmare .. and those pilots 😩 admirable how they never gave up.

[@sy_dianne5224]

This is every traveler's worst nightmare...to be conscious for minutes while the plane goes down :(

[@yengsabio5315]

Imagine the G force their experiencing!

[@carsjt1076]

😫 all vacations must end at some point

[@scheimong]

What's funny is that the airline didn't even manage to make more money in the end. A crash like that costs way more than any maintenance ever would.

[@marvinkigame2838]

As a pilot my heart pours out to the crew who tried their level best to do everything in their experience and expertise to save lives but were impeded by the management's obvious effort to cut on costs. Sad 😔

[@Stripesheal18]

Do you feel like this is still a problem? Maintenance care?

[@bwktlcn]

All I can think about is how hard those pilots tried to save their passengers and crew, when they didn’t have a chance. Heartbreaking, when they are still trying to fly a plane right up to the time they hit the water, with no chance to save it.

[@mikefoehr235]

I feel bad for all that perished but also for the whistle blower...how on gods earth does somebody never work in the industry and yet they were the ones trying to save lives...pure insanity.

[@XM-qk5sh]

I found that extremely troubling, that a person who had pointed out a life threatening issue would never be hired for that type of work again. If you are responsible for 10's of thousands of lives, wouldn't you want that guy working for you?

[@ladybeekeeper7777]

@@XM-qk5sh one would think so hey, but those making huge profits but cutting maintenance in this company will never pay for the loss of life this caused. Whistleblowers never do well anywhere, in any company or country in the world. One day people may realise how important they are. Maybe not in my lifetime though sadly

[@tomdipasquale9633]

100% agree!! I’d hire him in an instant for my maintenance department!!

[@mikefoehr235]

@@tomdipasquale9633 I will go out on a limb and suggest whistle-blower like this could very well find a home with Toyota. Toyota is all about reliability, safety and durability. People like this whistle blower would be the perfect fit for Toyota, based on their business model.

[@inkyguy]

@@XM-qk5sh, look what happened to the whistleblowers who brought Trump’s illegal behavior to light.

[@3ountyhunter]

Idk who can watch from 23:20 and not have both an intense sadness and pride at the airmanship of those pilots. It reminds me of something my father always told me, "drive it to the scene of the crash." I hope they rest easy.

[@surfside75]

Tell more, if you could about what he thought that statement he made meant?

[@TheCasualCosmonaut]

@@surfside75 I'll add my two cents if you don't mind. Former F1 World Champ Nico Rosberg remarked of his teammate Lewis Hamilton: "When I would go off I would take my hands off of the wheel. If you impact the barrier the forces through the wheel can be tremendous and can injure you quite seriously. Despite this, Lewis would keep his hands on the wheel and would benefit on the occasion he could recover." whereas Nico, with his hands off the wheel, would lose the chance to recover mid-crash should it arise.

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@TheCasualCosmonaut cover? What?

[@TheCasualCosmonaut]

@@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072 was supposed to be “recover” in the last sentence. Cheers m8

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

@@TheCasualCosmonaut I figured but it still doesn’t make sense. Wouldn’t be the other way around?

[@Aerogamer158]

As a pilot we trust the maintenance personnel 110%. We trust the log book is correct, truthful, and work was done correctly. While I can fix small planes and know every bolt and rivet, it’s simply not possible with a large aircraft, thus the trust. Can’t imagine having to deal with an issue due to negligence.

[@lgonzalez1154]

You said it "as a pilot"land the f*ucking plane screw troubleshooting!

[@surgeon1016]

@@lgonzalez1154 the thing is though all pilots are trained to troubleshoot the issue so they can work out if they can overcome it not to mention if the problem they are facing is as severe as this was you can’t just simply land you have to make sure that if you were to attempt a landing that it would be safe it’s never as simple as just land

[@BryanVGK23]

Something Im curios about with this crash from a pilots perspective… should they have turned back at the first sign of trouble with the stabilizer not responding ? Not trying to put them down, these guys did everything they could and didn’t know the level of negligence working against them. Just curios if it’s something that would have warranted then to turn back

[@PhycoKrusk]

@@BryanVGK23 the airline can and typically will make a list of standard procedures for different types of problems, likely based on manufacturer recommendations, but at the end of the day, those are themselves just recommendations; the final decision to fly or not fly is always the captain's or, if the captain is incapacitated, the first officer's. That being said, when they first started troubleshooting, the jammed stabilizer was clearly a problem, but at that point, was not yet a serious one, and its nature was not clear. If it was electrical or electronic, resetting one of the systems may have fixed it, and they likely concluded that spending some time troubleshooting the issue was worth it if it meant not having to land with a jammed stabilizer. They may have been over their maximum landing weight as well, so would have been circling to burn off fuel to get down to a safe landing weight. There may have also been thinking that LAX would've had better maintenance facilities. The company culture at the time may have influenced the decision. There are a lot of reasons why they might not have turned around immediately, and things being how they are, we'll never know what the reasoning of the flight crew was.

[@iamagirl9938]

​@BryanVGK23 For getting a pilot's perspective on these crashes, I would highly recommend watching Mentour Pilot. He does crash investigation videos based on the final reports of plane crashes and goes over a pilots perspective of what they were thinking, why they did what they did, and what the effect was. It's usually a much deeper dive than this series and more technical in nature. I often like to watch his explanations after watching an episode of Mayday to get more insight.

[@hephaestus6365]

Those pilots did everything humanly possible. Their families should be proud. There was simply nothing more they could have done.

[@surfside75]

Turn around??

[@bjvu9460]

they could have landed the plane sooner but decided to stay over water to trouble shoot and that obviously wasnt the right decision. not turning back when they first started having problems was also a bad decision. would they have been killed regardless? now we will never know

[@ali_el_baba3665]

@@bjvu9460 Afterwards its easy to say they could have done this or could have done that... but regardless these pilots tried their best to somehow safely land this plane but sadly they couldnt. I definetely respect these pilots.

[@vincitveritas3872]

@@bjvu9460 they stayed over water to avoid risk of crashing on land and killing others. That's why they are hero's.

[@mariagrace11]

They were trying to troubleshoot and be RESPONSIBLE by figuring out if they were able to slow the airplane down for landing. If they can’t control it in the air (over the ocean), they didn’t want to risk bringing it close to LAX where countless more lives could be lost if they crashed. These pilots are absolutely HEROIC and RESPONSIBLE!!!! There is no finer example than this type of response from pilots who are exhausted and could have given up. They never did. May they live on in our memories always for leading by example.

[@EM.ELITE.gameSim]

I am full of tears 😢. Imagine being in an airplane at 35k feet high, and you look out the window and see another plane in a spiral nose dive...

[@paulacullin8900]

You know it's messed up when people get punished for wanting to keep people safe. I think there is something wrong with that.

[@Eliott-b7j]

23:20

[@elvinmaponde3652]

The pilots are the truest heroes of all time. They fought till the end. I wish the end was better. May they rest in peace. I wish I had that fighting attitude.

[@legioner9]

If you really wish it, you will have it. :)

[@ktown8139]

It’s terrifying that the person who could have prevented this accident was suspended from work for trying to do so. I fully believe that this occurs so frequently, in so many different areas of society, we would be absolutely shocked.

[@icomment2226]

47:18 "...these backups to the backups backing up the backups is why we can get on an airplane" Quote of the episode. Fascinating and terrifying at the same time. I am sure Alaska Airlines used whatever means possible to ensure that this MayDay episode would *never* air.

[@kathrynhoward4196]

It's 46:52, actually, with some lead up.

[@kevinmalone3210]

Don't think they were any real back ups to the control system for controlling the horizontal stabilizer. Just a recycling system.

[@wendyleewilliams1157]

Not knowing maintenance left jackscrew was the cause......(free up the stabilizer) and the pilots tried everything. 😢😢

[@joshwhitcomb2491]

I remember this like it was yesterday. I was 13 when this happened. My mother's cousin was a flight attendant on this flight. His significant other was also on the flight. I remember going to Seattle for the funeral. Very sad for all involved. Flying to me hasn't been the same since.

[@mark1811able]

Just say his boyfriend 😒

[@mark1811able]

Just say his boyfriend 😒

[@gervanwilliams1409]

Those words, “here we go”. These pilots fought to the end. No words to describe.

[@Strato13]

I kinda interpreted that :Here we go" as a sort of final acceptance of their fate... Brave Pilots to the end.

[@Mavis308]

@@Strato13 Thompson did the sign of the cross on his forehead before they hit the water

[@Tracymmo]

@@Mavis308 how would we know that?

[@zyaphyr]

@@Tracymmo source: trust me bro

[@neatstuff8200]

@@Strato13 EXACTLY!!!

[@floridaman3892]

The fact that these pilots didn't give up and flew for that long without their stabilizer proves how skilled they were. I hope all pilots look up to these men as role models.

[@nunyabusiness5275]

This is the first episode in which I actually teared up during the reenactment. What an intense and goosebump inducing episode!

[@mbvoelker8448]

They never gave up -- the mark of true heroes.

[@cee_el]

The actors in this episode were just too good. I’ve watched this countless times but it still makes me feel a certain kind of way during the plunge

[@orenalbertmeisel3127]

This is one of the older episodes of this show, but I don’t think it has ever been as intense and dramatic as 23:20 - 26:20 ever since

[@3ountyhunter]

The reenactment was really intense.

[@scottcol23]

I think it was the Pilot Episode before they got the usual narrator. Not sure but it sounds like a different guy.

[@pomerlain8924]

This is from the first season, which has been very hard to find. The first season episodes were very dramatic and intense, compared to every season after.

[@deprofundis3293]

Right? I had to re-watch that part. The fact that other pilots were observing it as well...just so awful and terrifying.

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

@@pomerlain8924 Later episodes have dramatic moments

[@YourNeighborhoodOT]

The pilots are heroes. Saved a lot of lives on ground. And did the best they could

[@paulandrewsantos2762]

Damn, those two pilots are true heroes for not giving up until the end. RIP on everyone who died.

[@jtveg]

I felt so sorry for the pilots of Air Alaska as they fought heroically until the very end. Ultimately in vain because they had been let down by the bean counters and suits trying to save a few pennies. They are the ones that should have ended up in the sea.

[@helenafranzen9828]

Heroes of this episode - the pilots and the whistleblower. The pilots lost their lives, the whistleblower his career and livelyhood but I bet the bosses of the airline suffered no penalty at all. And if they lost their jobs they probably went with a huge amount of money. That unfainess makes me sick! Rest in peace all who died and peace to the heart and souls of the families.

[@legioner9]

So well said. So true.

[@AliKhan-xw5fw]

I doubt the higher management lost their jobs or got any sort of punishment at all. They probably used plausible deniability and found scapegoats like those two supervisors

[@helenafranzen9828]

@@AliKhan-xw5fw You are probably right about that. Unfortunatly.

[@powwowken2760]

This wasn't an accident, the word accident by definition means something happened unexpectedly. This was such an obvious outcome that these poor people were basically murdered by Alaska Airlines'.

[@joegiuseppepalermo2755]

This was a maintenance accident as defined by the NTSB. The term accident implies that nobody should be blamed, but the event was caused by unrecognized or unaddressed risks. Still an accident.

[@KristinCortez]

This tragedy happened because an airline put money ahead of safety, and the poor people on this flight paid for it with their lives, as did their loved ones who lost them. 💔 The aviation industry did not learn from this; not when an airplane manufacturer didn't want the costs of simulator training for the pilots, and another 346 people died in two crashes just months apart. May all of the victims who lost their lives because of corporate greed rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with them, as well as with their families and loved ones. 🙏🏻

[@ogrig3430]

@@KristinCortez It's not that simple. Airline companies is low marginal business. Unlike buying cars or smartphones with air tickets people prefer pay as low as possible. And if even consumers don't value their lives nobody will.

[@notme2day]

@@ogrig3430 When you have to lie and falsify information and go against the manufacturers safety maintenance recommendations it is THAT simple!

[@bryanjames6669]

@@notme2day Sure is a lot of Alaska Airlines employees in this comment section...

[@teresajennings1243]

A totally avoidable crash, had maintenance done their job. Just such a tragedy. Greed of the airlines always behind these kind of crashes. Shame on them!

[@retr0gaminghub]

The above airline try stay competitive with other

[@rogerw-interested]

maintenance was done, but it the higher ups that changed the schedule arbitrarily that should be held accountable

[@PhycoKrusk]

@@rogerw-interested so should maintenance, because had all the power to say, "No"; without mechanics, there is no airline. However, it's clear that the prevailing company culture at the time did not allow for dissent, and when you've been immersed in that culture for years, it can be hard to break out of it. The fact is that most people _won't_ try to break out of a culture they've become accustomed to, and the ones that will are generally not trusted by the rest of the group; it's a survival instinct.

[@stantaylor524]

As the plane takes its second dive, hearing the reports of the nearby plane pilots reports is terrifying. "That plane just took a huge plunge." And "yes the plane is out of control " the plane is inverted " These pilots watched helplessly as the crew and passengers and suffered to their death" "Sir he just hit the water." Watching this video makes you feel like you there. Out of hundreds of crashes this is the most horrific crash video I have seen.

[@GianlucaBerger]

Yeah this episode and the Aeroperu one both really get me. Crashes that were completely unavoidable. I suggest you watch the Aeroperu 603 if you liked this episode. Both pilots on that flight fought till the very end

[@Boundwithflame23]

@@GianlucaBerger JAL 123 is another that comes to mind.

[@EB-yx4fn]

gosh, these episodes are all grim in their own ways but the interviews with the parents at the end got to me deep I'm not even a parent or anything, man, their grief is just so profound

[@danielbrown1724]

While I’m glad that each accident leads to tighter restrictions and regulations across the aviation industry, it’s extremely sad that 88 people had to die as a result. This must’ve been terrifying as a pilot. Nothing is working and they know they can’t overcome the jam. RIP fine people, you did your best.

[@rp7r54]

True it’s extremely sad that 88 people had to die as a result. it is routine Then, new rules and regulations are adopted.

[@inkyguy]

@@rp7r54, it’s called Tombstone Technology or Tombstone Policy. Corporations, which are entirely profit-driven, control the U.S. airline industry.

[@Critical_mtb]

The pilots definitely true heroes in this situation. They tried to save them until the end.

[@JamarHerrod]

I think certain flights like this remind us that this should never be forgotten and the airline companies should never forget so it won’t happened again but as we know with other plane accidents sometimes catastrophic plane crashes have been repeated in the past. We hope this never happens again.

[@aviatorsound914]

B737 Max and Boeing.

[@finnmurtons8727]

"If you're going to fix something, fix it right the first time." Words I'll never forget uttered to me by a marine/industrial welder. True for marine, true for aeronautic.

[@ilc-nl3yy]

Corporate scumbags

[@PapaG603]

All accidents are terrible But this particular accident gets me every time i watch it🙏🙏😪

[@k_spats]

*Heartbreaking and infuriating.* God Bless their Souls and give peace to the families for all involved... 🕊 🕊 🕊 These Pilots are Heroes, in my heart. 🤍

[@lewthrasher4194]

I hope family members get some comfort knowing that the pilots fought to the bitter end to save the lives of everyone on this plane. God bless all on board and their families.

[@k_spats]

Totally busted out crying went they went down. What a horror for everyone on board and their families to know what they all endured. Rest in Peace. 🙏🏻

[@brianmafuya9233]

😢

[@kevinmalone3210]

Yeah, pretty terrifying knowing this is it. The plane you're on is going to crash.

[@kungpaopizza2126]

I cry till this day to this heart wrenching 💔 story. The horrible shake ups the passengers went through including children. The poor pilots trying to control a beast of a machine and trying to make passengers feel at ease when they,themselves were trying not to hurl because of the horrible fate they knew was coming Lastly,the nincompoops down at the mechanics 🧰 department,what,if _anything_ were they thinking that a quick fix was gonna be a good thing?🔩,we are not speaking of a car on the road here! PS:That poor whistle blower,instead of being fired,he deserved recognition!

[@joshs2734]

My god. What a terrifying, drawn out death. Those pilots were absolute hero's. They did everything they possibly could until the very last second. I can't imagine how drained they were from sheer terror, and by the physical exertion of trying to keep control for so long. They saved lives by staying out over the water. Just heartbreaking.

[@deprofundis3293]

One of the most intense but also really well-done episodes. Hats off to the pilots as well as the whistleblower, who lost so much despite trying their hardest against the odds. Great investigation as well. Such a shame for so many people to over something as small as a jackscrew.

[@sharoncassell9358]

Actually its quite large. About ² inches in diameter and 7 feet long (tall. ) a T tail is quite tall. At least 20 feet high. The picture makes it appear tiny. But mechanics walk on that tail to change the motor that moves the elevator and stabilizers ( stabilator) with a harness not to walk off at a 40 foot drop.

[@deprofundis3293]

@@sharoncassell9358 thanks for the additional info! Although it's still sad that a single component caused it. That always is upsetting, I suppose.

[@Xer0280]

I think in this situation, he meant 'petty' or 'minor' as in that it was relatively cheap to maintain those things

[@bambiwest1391]

My condolences to those who lost their loved ones, friends and colleagues on that flight. May the gentleman who was the whistleblower be at peace and hopefully you found a new career and employer who valued your honesty and integrity- you too paid a price-your job was just a small portion of your loss - you have to live with the knowledge that your former employer, AA, put $ over lives 😞

[@hirokawana]

these two pilots are the most corageous , who tried very hard to help people in the air and land. they never gave up till the last moment.

[@catn_p]

to be honest, this is probably the scariest episode of mayday. Just watching them helplessly fight. This is my second time watching it--

[@ScarlettEmeraldASMR]

This flight story stayed with me ever since the first time I saw this episode. The other crash story that stuck with me was the American airlines flight that crashed in the Colombian mountain. 😢 some stoties just stick with you❤

[@timothywalsh1001]

I've worked in aviation.. and this absolutely infuriated me !!

[@sharoncassell9358]

I did a motor change on a C141 in the T tail. Not knowing how important it was as a new mechanic. But we tested it. It worked... and the pilot appreciated it.

[@mj6962]

I agree with the comment about the quality of actor and acting. They are top notch and always do an amazing job! Also, the producing and editing are both superb as well.

[@Archerxtreme]

How terrible we humans must be, when the person whose responsibility is to check if everything is being fixed properly points out a life-threatening issue and the malpractices behind it only to be suspended and no one else willing to hire him. It's like every company is saying "We don't want whistleblowers because we are indulging in something evil that could ruin or directly cost the lives of many, because we need the money no matter what." Honestly, the NTSB themselves or someone else should have hired him, so that he could assist in future investigations or inspections. Personally, I feel the pilots are truly heroes. They did everything they could and didn't give up even in the final seconds. The people on the ground especially the Alaska Airline Dispatch offered only a joke of a support, more worried about upsetting some schedules. Some may say the pilots shouldn't have repeatedly tried using the motor switches like they did to try and fix the problem. But that can only be said now, in retrospect. A physically jammed stabilizer was something unprecedented for them on that fateful day. It was easier to assume an electrical problem had come up, the motors weren't working, when in fact they were. No one was expecting the stabilizer to be actually stuck. If proper maintenance was done, it would never have come up. A simple lack of grease now becomes a sign of a far larger issue.

[@terencem8795]

Those poor souls. Still so haunting to this day.

[@MichelleQuintiaVLOGS]

This is so heartbreaking.. 😢💔💔 These pilots did everything they could to save the plane, their passengers and the crew. It was beyond their control anymore for the last several seconds. 😢😢 May they all rest in peace… 😔🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@mxw6ll]

Their teamwork in the cockpit was amazing.

[@Arzeena1990]

Whistleblowers should be protected! Either via anonymous reporting or with federal "no-retaliation" clauses! Peoples lives are at risk!!

[@yourface4248]

problem is executive federal positions are populated by corporate stooges. they work hard to make sure corporate thorns like whistleblowers are clipped.

[@jalalal8056]

Have to protect big business as they give everyone else the shaft in the name of increased profits

[@charlotteshenkenberger345]

Wait a sec. A mechanic was literally just doing his damn job, found a serious issue that needed to be addressed ASAP, and was SUSPENDED for it? Is this airline still around or has it gone outta business yet?

[@beckramsey7746]

@@jlockwood65 They're better though.

[@gababel5374]

After the incidents, he is no longer allowed to work in the same industry. Does it mean he was banned from all airline industries in the globe or just this company?

[@desmeisme]

All my respect to whistle blowers in airline industrys

[@angelagendreau3586]

This one is hard for me to watch. The actors did such a good job that it's painful.

[@GianlucaBerger]

Watch the Aeroperu 603 one too. The actors were awesome on that episode as well

[@ryanscarborough6703]

Man this flight haunts me. Had to be terrifying. I've watched this so many times. The actors playing the pilots couldn't have done a better job.

[@danielbrown1724]

Alaska Airlines, where our motto is..... “Money over the lives of passengers” Book your next flight today 😐😐😐

[@HellStr82]

sounds like the new Boeing motto

[@simonm1447]

@@HellStr82 MDD managers entered Boeing after the merge - and destroyed the company the following 2 decades. They poisoned Boeing. MDD should simply have gone bankrupt instead of merging with Boeing.

[@user-xd7dt6gr8l]

Admirable pilots, for more than just their fight to the end. The fact their lives were in peril but they still thought to turn back to the ocean out of concern for people on the ground is incredible, it probably seems like common sense when you or I think about it, but being able to show that consideration despite the way our mindsets and focus are inclined to change in a life or death situation is just more proof as to how outstanding these two were.

[@pullt]

Kept flying, trying and aviating to the very end. You'd think the ballast of their stones alone could have righted the airplane.

[@ladyazalea3710]

That whistle blower is actually the honest worker here and must be a gem in any company that involves life and death situations. His honesty and dedication saves lives apparently over ruled by the next shift! That next shift person must be the one to never ever work here again!!!!!

[@karanhdream]

One of the main causes for plane crashes : the deadly combination of indifference and incompetence. On a different topic... imagine being one of those pilots nearby, witnessing this nightmarish scene while being completely powerless... In their place, I don't think I would have been able to fly ever again...

[@bebenewbornphotography170]

every time I watch this one (watched 4 times) I always think they'll end up saving the plane... So sad....This could have been avoided... The actors really make it ultra believable.

[@whatwillbem6825]

I myself have never seen this one..and I must say it was articulate in the way it was presented..thank you for this informative but tragic story..really enjoy the narrators voice and this channel 👍🏼

[@chateaupig826]

"in fact , they will never make it to Los Angeles" OMfnGod -such words of comfort 😥🙏

[@sheagoff6009]

I’ve seen this episode a bunch of times and I always know what the outcome is. But for some reason I always hope that they’ll figure it out and land.

[@lisha3381]

This episode was so intense and really stuck with me I came back a second time to watch so sad the pilots fought till the very end , RIP to the crew and passengers 😢 god bless their souls ❤

[@legioner9]

God bless them. Yes, this episode stuck with me too. Those pilots are to be admired.

[@christopherhennessey8991]

A shame that no one from Alaska Airlines or the cronies at the FAA went to jail over this.

[@jeshkam]

I'm a grown up man, but Mr Fred Miller's final words made me weep...

[@JediMaster362]

Human, you are.

[@ws5290]

Suspending two supervisors and fine is criminally insulting to those lost and those whose lives were put at risk by Alaska, shocking

[@Kitsaper]

Minor correction to the date listed twice in the description above... this occurred on January 31, 2000 (not 21st). I remember it very clearly as my family was also on an Alaska Air flight off the coast of California at this same time. Lucky for me, it wasn't this flight.

[@healgoth]

I wonder if this comment will be a month old before they change it

[@ericpolowski334]

Love these episodes and have watched for years. These two actors did an amazing job. I can’t get over how well and how real this felt. Just tremendous job by both.

[@lizpurr8402]

This was the first episode I watched of this show, and it was heartbreaking! 😢

[@GianlucaBerger]

Have you seen the Aeroperu one??

[@lizpurr8402]

@@GianlucaBerger yes, that was another really sad one. 😢

[@GianlucaBerger]

@@lizpurr8402 yeah those pilots fought till the end and personally thought their situation was even worse

[@KrissyBlendz]

I’ve seen this documentary plenty of times. Never understood why people rather save a penny over saving lives. If the plane isn’t ready to fly, then it’s not ready to fly. *Side note 📝* , shoutouts to baby Kate Reid from the PBS kids show “Arthur”, making a crying background appearance.

[@DBCuzitis]

Did that maintenance guy not realize what the situation indicated? “See you at the gate” - the Pearly Gates! Egads! The complete loss of that plane must have improved the “flow” and made that dispatcher happy. Shameful disinterest in safety.

[@JCKei-hs7kx]

He should have gotten the death penalty

[@Carter-dv4hz]

No the maintenance "guy" did not have any idea what the situation indicated, he only had the information presented to him by the pilots which was that they had an electrical problem causing a jam in the trim assembly. 8:16 "Any switches that can get those motors turning again" He sourced and provided them with the information he had available to him the best he could. No one had any indication as to the seriousness of the issue unfolding in the skies above the bay that day. As far as the dispatcher is concerned it is his job to organize the flights and maintain some sort of scheduled so passengers waiting at the gate dont get upset by lengthy delays, an unscheduled landing will cause many problems later in the day and further down the line. By the sound of it he was very professional and responsible, providing the ETA not to add stress but rather to act as a warning to the crew about their expected delay after landing. 9:17 "if you want to land in LA for safety reasons of course we will do that" 9:24 "looking at probably an hour, an hour and a half" Crews need to keep track of their flight hours so generally Its a good idea for dispatch to advise them of lengthy delays, also id like to point out that he is the dispatcher so its to be expected that he is calling about the schedule.

[@vickichavez9956]

So heartbreaking for the families to know how their loved one’s last moments were

[@pauldinardo912]

They had 6 more planes with deteriorating jackscrews. Wow. Not greasing them . Unbelievable negligence.

[@lmc958]

I'm still amazed at how good the actors are in these videos! They are so believable!

[@l9685]

oh yes i seen this on wonder youtube channel I remember feeling livid absolutely furious when all the traffic controllers could think about is the plane getting to its destination. all the pilots wanted to is get the plane to safety and the people on aboard. rest in peace to all those innocent soles on board.

[@ChunkDanny]

I dont normally cry when I watch these shows, but this one is just devastating. Heartbreaking

[@exey199]

Captain: "Yep. . We've got it under control here Co pilot: "No we dont!" This cracked me up 😂🤣

[@Perfectpearl]

22:21 Makes sense. I know they’re trouble shooting, but constantly touching everything is annoying and making me nervous 😮and I’m not even on the plane. 😂

[@ArchTeryx00]

What a horrible situation. The pilots fought right to the end but they never had a chance - even if they'd known the jackscrew had been stripped, a irreversible stabilizer hardover event like this is not survivable. They might have delayed the end a little more, but they never could have gotten that plane down intact. IIRC, even if they hadn't actually forced the trim motors, they STILL had a stabilizer in a hardover condition and aerodynamic forces would have broken it regardless of what they did.

[@upulaherath7204]

These early versions of the series had so much emotions and a great storytelling unlike the later episodes!

[@donkramer8848]

We should change the word whistleblower to “employee that cares” wtf

[@ch0colatemilk]

Absolutely incredible pilots. Excellent communication and teamwork with each other trying to troubleshoot, talk with maintenance/ATC and manually flying the plane. Flying a plane upside down in an impossible situation and not giving up when you know you probably have no chance and are going to do die anyways? I cannot imagine. This is probably one of the most chilling dive/crash sequences I've seen in any of these reenactments. That would be the longest and most terrifying 60 seconds of your entire life as you're being thrown about the plane as it plummets hundreds of km's rapidly into the water. Pure horror. I think it's important that somebody pointed out that we don't think of the lives that WEREN'T lost by the pilots trying to responsibly warn nearby aircraft and not diverting to the alternate airport too quickly while the situation was still not under control. Maybe they could have landed it, but we'll never know... They absolutely deserved their posthumous awards for heroism.

[@glenncarr2121]

I think that Alaskan Airlines are at fault and that they should be held accountable for complete lack of maintenance and lying to officials and public ! So sad so very sad 😭

[@404notfound.....]

If you want to try it that's fine if not I'm OK with that, see you at the gate. Wow that's some support!! ✈ R.I.P.