Out of Fuel at 39,000 Feet! | Mayday Air Disaster

Mayday Air Disaster S01 E06
Experience the gripping story of Air Transat Flight 236. Discover how an Airbus A330 faced catastrophic fuel starvation over the Atlantic, forcing pilots into a life-saving gliding descent. Witness the drama unfold and the heroic efforts to save 306 lives.
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Welcome to Mayday Air Disasters! This riveting series delves into the world's most catastrophic aviation accidents, uncovering the causes and consequences of each tragic event. Through expert analysis, compelling reenactments, and survivor testimonies, we explore how and why these disasters occurred. Join us as we investigate the crucial lessons learned from these incidents, aiming to make the skies safer for everyone.
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[@elishakisembokasembo7718]

It's nice to see episodes with survivors. It gives life some hope.🙏

[@smithpm81]

statistically, you have to fly everyday from a random airport for 2,000 years to be guaranteed a crash, from which you probably will survive.

[@dsandoval9396]

​@@smithpm81 While aviation safety is really great today, and it's EXTREMELY unlikely to die in a fatal plane crash, it's not about all the times you make it home, it's going to be about that one time you're SOL.😅 I think it's something like if you fly once a year every year your chances are 1 in 11 million to be in a deadly plane crash. Of course there's many factors. The conditions you fly in. The safety reputation of the airline. Country of maintenance. Etc. You don't really get a gran prize getting to your front door for the day, but you sure will be consumed by/cursing your "luck" the day you're about to smack the ground at 550 mph.

[@smithpm81]

@@dsandoval9396 Grand not Gran..... ascendants have no influence on statistics

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

​@@smithpm81yeah...um, if that were true, how does Mayday have 25 seasons, plus several they never did?? Erebus, for example.

[@audreym3777]

Not sure their portrayals made them look great though….

[@javianjohnson8746]

Who would've thought the fact that they were slightly rerouted 60 miles off their original course would end up being the reason why everyone survived this unprecedented disaster. Those pilots deserved to be recognized for their skillful maneuvers during this situation. I definitely would consider them heroes 🫡

[@jadall77]

Yeah since over the ocean the air traffic can't really control them they put them in separations the guys that are in your "lane" are about 30 minutes ahead and behind. There are though like a bunch of "lanes" and I'm guessing they are separated too by 30 minutes ish away because no full radar coverage no air traffic control until they get back over some land again.

[@TheSilmarillian]

@@jadall77 Valid observation .

[@Trunka34]

Except for the fact they knew there was a fuel problem and didnt address it by shutting off the balancing valve?

[@intrepid_wandering]

@@Trunka34 Right?? They failed to trust their equipment and identify the leak. It's weird because they trusted their equipment enough to continue transferring fuel to the other wing. They wouldn't have done this if they didn't believe the indications. They made the problem worse. They also took a bit long to declare an emergency and immediately divert to the military base. All in all, I can't blame them too much. Hindsight is always 20/20.

[@TeeDee87]

@@Trunka34 if they haven't been trained for that kind of situation which is probably true I wouldn't put so much blame on handling the situation wrongly.

[@naverilllang]

"In my personal opinion, I don't think these airplanes would make very good boats" I'm sorry, but that is such a hilarious sentence to hear from a pilot. That had me dying.

[@ilovejettrooper5922]

Have you seen the one about Reeve 8? The co-pilot had some *seriously* hilarious lines in that one :)

[@natedawg-p8v]

Boats......ummmmmmm ok 😒

[@workhard9513]

I’ve been an aircraft mechanic for 20 plus years now. I’ve worked on Airbus aircraft through my entire career. With all the sensors and switches on these aircraft that are controlled by all the sophisticated computers, you do see erroneous faults all the time. While on the ground, we actually do what we like to call “global reboots” to clear erroneous faults. It’s when you pull all the power off the aircraft and reset all the computers. I guess what I’m getting at, with the low fuel temp and high fuel pressure fault messages these pilots seen, it’s not out of the norm for them to think they had faulty computers. Once they noticed and received the “fuel imbalance” fault, they wouldn’t have any indication to a fuel leak. This is a write up we technicians see from the flight crews all the time. Generally means you have one engine burning more fuel then the other or, you have fuel moving from one tank to another due to an internal fuel tank issue. Not generally an indicator that you have a massive fuel leak. This was a tough situation for the pilots to diagnose and correct. Luckily the flight crew were experienced and professional. Otherwise this situation would have ended very differently for all those involved.

[@aldinlee8528]

Definitely appreciate your input. But, it might raise more questions, or concerns, than it satisfies. I've worked in IT, and certainly there are programming 'faults' where a data situation arises for which the program is not coded to handle, and it will throw up an error flag or even stop a process from completing. Yet, most such systems don't have lives hanging in the balance. What is the point of having warning signals, and gauges, if you shrug your shoulders and say it's a flaw in the programming? Who hasn't run out of fuel while driving their own car, due to missed gauge interpretation? But, I don't have to emphasize the difference in the circumstances. They weren't even flying over land, where there are typically usable runways within short distances. A thousand miles from land and your fuel shows questionable levels and usage. The default reaction should be to err on the side of caution. Hold off on transfering fuel, until you are certain that a fuel leak isn't the problem. Surely, pilots have learned from this near disaster. How lucky they were to make it to that airport.

[@johndelconte9915]

@@aldinlee8528I like your response. If there are so many computer errors it causes complacency or pilots to error, that’s a problem. From what I seen on the many videos I watched, pilots are supposed to trust their instruments. I would always error on the side of caution.

[@skammer2007]

@workhard9513 it's called they had an EXCELLENT Captain.....I flew many a large jet....and u have to be GOOD

[@jahbay]

Are the fuel tanks able to be isolated from each other?

[@MegaBoolaBoola]

@@jahbay Apparently the fuel tanks are isolated from each other by default. Only by pressing the crossfeed button, was the fuel from the good side, fed to the leaking side.

[@Peninnah-mn6py]

I love the confidence the pilots had, they were composed and tried all they could and this contributed so much in safe landing and saving the 300plus lifes

[@moneyfornothing3264]

I doubt it went like that in real life.

[@brucelee5576]

If the Pilots are freaking out you would never know it, they are very good at staying compose when communicating with ATC.

[@ekagelashvily5192]

They are trained and absolutely have to be composed

[@garybrown1404]

@@Peninnah-mn6py Actor's interpretations of actual cockpit crew, could have been an accurate portrayal (or not.

[@CoreyIsTheName]

@@moneyfornothing3264 These episodes act out the actual voice recordings.

[@shelbyindianajones3226]

These pilots are amazing heroes! So glad everyone was ok, so often it is not. Don't blame the crew when they get a plane down intact and everyone is safe.

[@anonymousfarawayland3890]

They are not heroes; they let the aircraft run out of fuel because they kept believing that it was a computer problem

[@Volvogodt6]

There’s some knowledgeable people in this comment section and I can appreciate that they had a solid debate without arguing. Love it

[@CULT539]

I see a bunch of armchair wannabe pilots….. that don’t have a fn clue. This includes you.

[@awesomezinyew]

@@CULT539 You're the kind of person that everyone groans at when you enter a room

[@audreym3777]

@@CULT539aren’t you just a Ray of sunshine…not!

[@Geenyo2025]

This is the most bravest pilots. I’m happy to see they receive highest honours of airline pilot association for the longest glide ever accomplished in passengers airline. What a gentleman’s. Bravo❤❤❤❤❤and bravo the hostess. ❤

[@shereebuckley7208]

@ifrahabi4834 There is also the story of Air Canada running out of fuel, and the pilot glided that plane and landed successfully onto an old airbase that had been converted into a drag strip in Gimly. People were there that day and had been using the track. They didn't hear the plane coming until it landed and heard the front landing gear collapse and hit the median rail down the strip. They managed to fix the plane and fly it out back to Toronto. Everyone was OK.

[@Joseluz1969]

A helluva team of pilot and copilot! Incredible gliding of a jet liner across the Atlantic Ocean and superb landing. The Wright brothers would be proud.

[@rockwithyou2006]

yep. Dumped all the fuel by opening the cross feed. Surely the brothers would be proud.

[@loritompkins6333]

So airbus blames the pilots but then changes their own checklists … sounds to me like they realized the problem wasn’t the pilots.

[@cardinaloflannagancr8929]

Both sides were at fault however the deductions to do what was done they contradicted themselves. You don't transfer fuel if there is a problem, ok. He declares based on the warning not being on 15 minutes ago there is no problem, continue. So if there is no problem then surely the fuel isn't low either by his logic used. Since he declared there is no problem to cause the fuel imbalance. The checklist did not give them a solution and explanation to the exact scenario true. Though the checklist they did have had they actually followed it would have kept the plane from running out of fuel on one engine. The engines simply do not use that much more or less fuel than the other without a mechanical issue or a leak. An engine may need to run rich yet a properly running engine doesn't serious or not there is a problem regardless. Step 1 if there is a problem don't proceed and transfer.

[@ruthmary1823]

These pilots are true heroes

[@cmw9876]

@@cardinaloflannagancr8929 No call to engineering or checklist will ever replace the thinking of a pilot. Still, when you're stuck in a pre-prepared coping plan, there doesn't seem much room for basic thinking about a problem. Faith in instruments is good - but not perfect. They did well given the problem.

[@robertmitchell6080]

@@loritompkins6333 Blaming the Pilots are what all Airlines do. Its PenPushers who have never been pilots thinking only in dollar terms and saving their own butts. Maintanence and lives come 2nd to profit, for airlines, unfortunately.

[@LibbyMia-rz8gk]

it was a mechanical error. so it wasn't a airbus issue, the mechanics basically botched the job by using wrong parts.

[@watchdogsplaythroughs9852]

I just found this series on TV last month and can't get enough of these episodes.

[@wanrosina]

My 😊was just.+hh😊

[@araharris2972]

I’ve been watching this series forever. I love anatomy of a plane crash as well. Can’t find any female friends who want to binge it though. Lol

[@nancycrockett4276]

I'm addicted to these episodes! All True Too!

[@Trini2DeBone]

Really? I'm afraid to fly now that I've seen this 1 episode 😪

[@mariecomer209]

I haven’t flown in years!! Not going to anymore!!!

[@nealanthony3482]

It is just mind-boggling to me how a 450,000 pound hunk of metal flying at 500MPH, five miles in the sky with zero engine power, can just smoothly drift for 100 miles and land. The incredible wonders of aerodynamics. What a remarkable achievement for these pilots. I have to admit I did question the decision to transfer fuel as soon as I saw them do it. Other than a leak, what else could have caused such a large imbalance? If they thought it was a faulty sensor, then it still does not make sense to do the transfer.

[@johndelconte9915]

That makes logical sense to me. These guys are trained to follow the checklist. Most of the time that’s the best thing to do because in the confusion and stress it guides you step by step what to do, but many times usually due to a disaster, the checklist is revised.

[@hunterbear2421]

Its called failling in style......

[@billwilliams328]

@@hunterbear2421 Falling with style

[@hunterbear2421]

@@billwilliams328 technically either works... If you're on a plane that's falling with style you're inside of it and falling in style. (:

[@PianoGesang]

They were advised by ground control to do just that but they should have closed the valve shortly after the unsuccessful attempt to make sure they don't lose their entire fuel. But then again, as an armchair pilot I dunno how fair that assessment is.

[@pamelab7871]

Honestly, I was so nervous watching this! And I was only WATCHING! What about those who experienced it?!!! Wow! I was amazed by the calmness of the two pilots. It was their mathematical calculations and training that proved their credit to receive medals! Congratulations!

[@PianoGesang]

Erm, you saw a reenactment!

[@blatherskite9601]

I don't know if it's artistic licence, but the calmness and competence of the cabin crew in preparing the passengers for ditching comes over very strongly, at about 1m50. The crew will likely die too, yet that's not evident in their voice or demeanour. Excellent acting and scripting.

[@FLo-jc7ig]

Well yah, calm because it's not "real life"!🫢

[@DataJuggler]

Yes. I always feel bad for the actors who have to die to reenact the planes that don't make it. The show must go on.

[@carole-vv5es]

thats the real deal pleus they dont want to die

[@adrianatkins3128]

Actually, as ex crew and having been in one emergency situation I can assure you that cabin crew are trained to be totally calm. We only have to look at the calm demeanour of Betty Ong, Amy Sweeney and other cabin crew on 9/11 to witness how calm they will always try to be

[@PianoGesang]

Er... that was a reenactment!

[@marte1a256]

This gave me goosebumps! God bless those people

[@kenmarriott5772]

As a layman, closing the crossfeed valve after the inbalance wasn't being corrected would allow landing with one engine, electrical power and all instruments working. The 8 flat tires prevented running off the end of the runway.

[@איתיגיא-ח3ע]

you are correct, this is poor pilot airmanship .

[@griffingrendel9911]

Agree, his mistake he dis not trust the computer of his airplane.

[@skylarsky3173]

@@איתיגיא-ח3ע It's so easy to be a critic when you are not in the same scenario. Both are excellent pilots whose brilliance saved > 300 lives. The major fault was the engine install and Airbus failure to provide all needed components. The pilots were not perfect, but both are brilliant. The captain's gut was telling him that it was a sensor error due to the illogical alert of high pressure and low oil temp which is not indicative of an oil leak. He was over confident of his analysis, but that confidence kept him calm, alert and laser focused.

[@Trini2DeBone]

God saved them, that's the real explanation. It was the hand of God!

[@edwardlafferty8796]

​@@Trini2DeBoneYes. By ensuring mankind was smart enough to create such a vehicle, and the pilots skilled enough to handle the situation. Or if you want to give praise, why not give him the blame for creating the situation in the first place?

[@kasperorganics-organiccott6881]

As I'm watching, I'm thinking "don't transfer all of the fuel. Transfer some and then see what happens to the fuel levels."

[@PianoGesang]

Here we go

[@kengauhl6636]

All negative thoughts from the co-pilot were automatically turned into positive thoughts from the Captain that's good sound Leadership and excellent Airmanship. Well done to both pilots for saving the passengers in an unforgivable situation

[@lewiss626]

Surprisingly this aircraft was put back into service after the accident and stayed in service until 2020 with air transat until it was put into storage for parts.

[@jadall77]

I don't know if they will point it out in the documentary but the Ethiopian water crash they were in shallower water they actually hit a reef when they ditched. Also to add the Sully incident where they went down in the Hudson river was the first time a ditching went ok. In open water wave action probably would have been just as bad so the Ethiopian flight really tried their best being near a shore for possible rescue I still think they did more than their best and are heroes.

[@drl5002]

The Ethiopian flight looked like it clipped a wing too while the Hudson landing was level.

[@brickisland6353]

In the Ethiopian plane the pilot was not fully focused on the water landing as there where hijackers in the cockpit that disturbed his work. I think that they even had been a fight in there.

[@karlbassett8485]

@@brickisland6353 Exactly. The pilot had a hijacker fighting with him in the cockpit. Had he been able to concentrate chances are he'd have hit the water wings level and the plane wouldn't have cartwheeled.

[@pauldean8633]

P

[@LibbyMia-rz8gk]

they are gods heroes now. in heaven.

[@claytonmkombe5878]

Watching this episode for nearly the 10th time now... this is simply the best of aircrash investigation documentaries.

[@ronanstis6328]

The first Officer knew what he was doing - the Captain did not. When the crossfeed was turned on, manual fuel calculations clearly showed that lateral fuel balance was not being achieved, and the crossfeed should immediately have been turned off. I would have shut down No. 2 engine at that time, as it was clearly either leaking or consuming excessive fuel. For the Captain to say that it must be a computer problem - continue - is negligence. Irrespective of faulty maintenance, this should never have happened. The approach was at all times too fast, too high - a small sideslip would quickly have corrected that, being quicker and easier than flap extension. I am glad that everyone survived.

[@garybrown1404]

Good observation re/side slip to reduce speed.

[@gotobedandtickler]

I can understand the fuel quantities may vary due to engine loads etc, however, with such a great discrepancy would point to a fuel leak. If cross feeds are used, they should automatically disengage when optimum levels achieved. It appears (in this case) that the cross feeds have drained tons of fuel unnecessarily.

[@snuffybg]

As said in the begining its a story constructed by some 3rd party experts as the case its not public. All ppl invoveld followed blindly instructions from the top. Starting from the maintance supervisor ignoring the mechanics alarm to save few bucks for the company and get pat on the shoulder to the crew following blindly procedure that ends without double check immediately (based on the storytale). Pilots did grt job with all possible tools at the time but tbh luck was on theyr side.

[@CULT539]

An arm chair airplane pilot…. Go touch grass.

[@CULT539]

@@snuffybgit started with Airbus.

[@janeshnijhawan8884]

You can't blame pilots they did fantastic job criminal case should be filed against supervisor who asked mechinachic to let fly plane with faulty spare parts

[@Brauiz90]

"He only blew out 8 of 12 tires" - well, that's a loss every pilot can live with as long as all are safe and alive.

[@carlwilliams9624]

@@Brauiz90 I'm sure that 8 tyres blowing out helped the situation greatly.

[@PianoGesang]

@@carlwilliams9624 That's what someone else commented above, that the bursted tires greatly helped not running over the cliff.

[@Alex.2014.]

To quote the movie sling blade, "I know whats wrong with it, it ain't got no gas in it"

[@MikePBabbyy]

😂

[@redditaccount9307]

Reminds me of an episode of friends where the car just stopped running- 'This has happened before' 'So you know how to fix it?' 'Yes, put in gas' 😂

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Just as an aside, never run out of gas, it can ruin the fuel pump.

[@sharon1466]

This one and the Gimli Glider. Pichè actually broke Pearson's gliding distance record.

[@RMUNOZ1963]

Also watch Ethiopian flight 961 on Mayday. The hijacked plane ditched to fuel starvation.

[@SavingSoulsMinistries]

listen im no master pilot.. but listen. why do more planes not utilize the glide more often? Get up to max cruising level then glide 300 km... that would save alot on fuel lmao

[@decyattysyachpchyol]

​@@SavingSoulsMinistriesThe problem there is the navigational corridors. Gliding means altitude changes over time. For safety, planes need 1000 ft vertical separation. If everyone is gliding regularly, there is a much higher chance of planes getting on collision courses, and what if TCAS escape maneuver leads to a collision course with another plane? It would make ATC's jobs much harder and undo-able over large oceans where ground radar is less detailed. They do try to fly as high as practical, as it uses less fuel at higher altitudes.

[@phreak761]

​@@SavingSoulsMinistriesBecause it would be extremely slow and extremely fuel consuming to have to keep climbing back up to high altitude, at high altitude a plane burns much less fuel than at low altitude. Creating maximum fuel economy over distance is incredibly important for any airline.

[@mikearakelian6368]

Having worked on my own transport category a/c daily,am failure with repairs like this....regs prohibit this kind of repairs!!! So maintenance violations are clearly evident.cant use hardware fastiners,plumbing on airplanes!!! Any a/c without back up electric systems etc like flying motorized kits from first world war???

[@hendrix2478]

Great episode. I was really drawn in. BTW Sully done a great job with that Hutson water landing.

[@jamesphillipshort]

The cabin crew to the pilots worked together perfectly! They followed the aviat, navigate, communicat aspect of air emergency perfectly!

[@kamakaziozzie3038]

Just for the heck of it got to be that guy yelling “We are doomed! This is what we get for booking a flight on a budget airline!”

[@kewlztertc5386]

Death cares not for dignity. There's no way to know how anyone will act when facing their mortality.

[@sinan2.71]

I guess Mentour Pilot would say the captain had confirmation bias towards computer malfunction. But, they did bring the plane down safely after that bias was disproved.

[@michaelaxtell592]

I would definitely love to see a video from him on this event. Pretty amazing that a regular pilot creates better content than a larger budget tv channel. I like his high technical low drama way of telling the story

[@googleisevil8958]

@@michaelaxtell592 They spice it up for views because they believe people want action and drama instead of just telling the facts.

[@adelest9500]

@@michaelaxtell592 I think he made a video about this, couldn't tell when or how it's called though

[@barry7608]

What a credit to the whole crew but especially the pilot and co pilot, a fantastic piece of flying. I hope they were duly rewarded. I think they could have had more help from the ground consultation team.

[@misterniceguy67]

The lesson learned is, when your calculations say you are low on fuel, declare emergency right there. No second guessing and nothing to be embarrassed about.

[@minetruly]

14:00 I like to imagine that when the writers "reconstructed" what happened in the cockpit, they said to each other, "he's an American pilot, so he would call it a 'flashlight,' not a 'torch.'"

[@philipmarsden7104]

The narrator speaks British english, perhaps that explains the choice of word. Accept it, instead of complaining. If someone seriously misunderstands and genuinely believes in the 20th/21st Century someone would actually use a piece of wood with fire on it to check something on a modern plane, they have serious problems between their ears.

[@iamReddington]

Everyone who was involved refusing to take part speaks volumes.

[@thrilledorkilled4958]

After winning lawsuit, told to not discuss.

[@SolidAvenger1290]

@@thrilledorkilled4958 agreed. Everyone knows that airline brands tend to slowly throw anyone to the wolves when they have bad PR and face huge liability. Everyone on that flight came to bat for Piche, and DeJager.

[@spodula]

@@SolidAvenger1290 The video does mention Airbus's initial attempt to blame the pilots. I suspect any settlement for what basically boils down to Slander would involve a gag clause.

[@the_Real_Grammy_of_6]

That was my first thought too. I’m betting the airline made them sign a non disclosure contract

[@russflyin]

pilots here deserve massive credit!

[@איתיגיא-ח3ע]

no they don't , a good pilot not getting into situation you need skilled pilot can exit.

[@carole-vv5es]

AGREE but after they were recognised for incredable calm and flying skills the company started throwing blame at them the company are disgrace

[@JTitus-pb7zo]

@@carole-vv5es Two things can correct at the same time. The first officer was incredible. The captain was reckless. If it’s a computer error why turn on the cross feed? . And why not turn it off once the balance wasn’st happening?

[@beakt]

I love how in the UK you call a flashlight a "torch". In the U.S., a torch means FIRE!

[@slocumb1270]

And they were attempting to use the "torch" to illuminate a jet fuel leak. Imagine only reading the transcript of this episode. "Wait, what the f...?!"

[@grassytramtracks]

Well most of the time a torch is steady and doesn't flash

[@DataJuggler]

The UK has butchered OUR language for hundreds of years. Schedule should sound like School bus in the beginning, but they pronounce it like Shedule.

[@christophercook723]

Thats what it is in English. In the USA mist refer to their Country as the who Continent nit knowing what OF means and call Petroleum liquids Gas alality unnecessarily to function and age to use. Taking the S from Maths short for MathematicS and calling Mum a Mom. So many examples of Redneck Hillbilly English in the US of A not it.

[@Sheringham88]

A torchlight, not a torch.

[@natehill8069]

"If we wait for the right part, it could cost us tens of thousands!" But think of all the free publicity you will get with your logo splattered across an entire episode of "Mayday" if your spontaneous re-design of an airliner _doesnt_ work..?

[@ChancetheCanine]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@Shane1163]

That and a $250,000 fine!

[@Jordan-ql8pv]

I was thinking the same thing. Crazy choice to make.

[@PianoGesang]

I was looking only for that one spot-on comment! THere is this one person to blame and that's the decision maker with no oily hands on the valves.

[@sunrayisdown1690]

I had a friend in Canada. His sister was one if the cabin crew. She never flew again.😊

[@mikek7625]

My wife must have put fuel in that plane. My car is always on empty after she drives it😂

[@svennielsen633]

Did you ever stop on the road because of fuel loss? I managed to miscalculate my fuel reserve twice. Fortunately my insurance covered refill as a service.

[@drkmgiri]

😂😂😂❤

[@gaeltt9865]

😂😂😂 Luckily cars can't fall out of the sky, but still...

[@Rashmi-h5c]

😂😂😂😂

[@gorillaau]

Beware of getting fuel in litres if your older car show the tank as gallons.

[@marthacrichard8088]

Am literally in tears in my kitchen watching this Kudos to the pilot. 👍🏾

[@smmukarramjahan]

Sure. Blame the poor pilots. It always happens like this: The airline blames the manufacturer, the manufacturer blames the airline for poor maintenance, the airline asks insurance companies to pay, the insurance companies refuse to pay and blame the airline, and then the airline blames the pilots.

[@cknowles3980]

My question is why didn’t the mechanic just say he needed the right tubes, he should not have even mentioned the other tubes. If he was asked if older parts would fit properly, he should have said NO! If they don’t fit they don’t fit! An airliner is not the place to test or Jerry rig parts!

[@brickisland6353]

The parts fitted, but the spacer that they didn't have wasn't installed. But stationary on the ground the hoses didn't touch and had quiet good clearing. But when the engine was started and the hoses pressurized they start to move and that's why the leak happened. But on the ground all looked fine.

[@jerrycallo]

@@brickisland6353 It's because of the society we have now that thinks prove it won't work is OK. It should always be prove it will work which would require all the design considerations be re-examined. At that point maintenance people should realize they're in over their heads and need to have the design engineer(s) sign off on it. Field changes without concurrence from engineering is a big no-no where I work.

[@guygranger7894]

I think the Captain made a big mistake when deciding to ignore emergency proceedings regarding low fuel. Especially over an ocean with all those people aboard. He was worried about getting crucified,but at least they would have shut off fuel to the number 2 engine and still had plenty for the remaining engine to land much more safely.

[@Ringoluck]

I’m addicted to this channel. I sleep to it. I commute to it. What does ‘Heavy’ mean when pilots identify themselves?

[@natehill8069]

Over 300,000# takeoff weight

[@sharon1466]

Size and weight of the aircraft. A Cessna, or other light plane for example is never identified this way. lol

[@Mme.Swisstella]

Fat

[@kimberleycameron5761]

A passenger jet

[@221b-l3t]

Large aircraft as in, be careful we make a lot of turbulence. It's so other especially smaller aircraft flyibg behind, know to keep their distance. A big jet will throw a small one into a dive with its wake turbulence.

[@ukdnbmarsh]

magnificent flying by the pilots, hats off.

[@markfsal8857]

Lifetime mechanic here. Closing the crossfeed would have put a stop to the aircraft completely running out of fuel. Also, pilot should not have thought about anyone's reaction that he was landing at the nearest airport when he first encountered this problem. He knew that losing all the fuel would have condemned the plane to this fate. However, he did turn out to be the hero in landing the plane safely. Here's a good idea. Install some mechanical level indicators and gauges that can be used as a "back up" for the computerized readings. This could save lives. M

[@davidlloyd7597]

The captain in fact never consulted the guide. When the fuel inbalance occurred he automatically opened the fuel intake valve. The reconstruction is wrong on this point.

[@PianoGesang]

Yeah but it increases weight, which I'm sure you know better than I do.

[@4_real_bruh]

40:48 - 3MM CLEARANCE? Anyone else notice how insanely small that is? The plane almost crashed because the tube was 3MM too close... Edit: Just measured, 3MM is the diameter of my USB-C Cable.....

[@JefferyKaighin]

I don't care what anyone says, if it wasn't for the quick thinking of these 2 pilots, this episode would have had a tragic ending! My father always says "Anytime you have 2 pieces of metal rubbing together, somethings going to come apart". Company's are hounded by deadlines and budgets and being in Automotive Management I face these struggles daily but my job doesn't have 306 + 7 souls depending on them either. Devine Intervention was greatly involved also. 🙏

[@drollette08]

I'm a quality engineer, and you don't know half of what is really going on the aerospace industry

[@chriscote8441]

That’s terrifying! Wtf?

[@TangoCharlieAlpha]

Do tell!!! You can't say THAT and then go all "Helen Keller" on us! SPILL THE TEA!! 🍿

[@shauny2285]

Go see the Boeing CEO being interviewed by members of Congress yesterday. You'll understand. @@TangoCharlieAlpha

[@av8tor261]

I'm a retired aviation QAM and you are right. If Joe Public knew what we know the would take trains. I don;t fly anymore.

[@AnthonyWW45]

Be careful what you say

[@Idaho278]

Watching this aboard a 737 MAX over the Bering Sea right now. God I love this inflight wifi 😊

[@fourroadsnorth2723]

Oops!

[@TagiukGold]

Aha, I thought I saw you fly by.

[@Jordan-ql8pv]

At least the door didnt fall off!

[@ChancetheCanine]

😂

[@tomkeofficial]

How can things like this even happen? I mean, the fact that they ran out of fuel mid-air is crazy, like, shouldn't the airport staff and workers who are responsible for air traffic control and airplane maintaining be checking the airplane for fuel levels and also do other important stuff, like, maintaining the condition of the plane, checking things before flight and so on? Damn.

[@KoireGerald]

@@tomkeofficial i one time asked a technical person this question and his answer was somethings happening is a case of subotage

[@thymekey]

the audacity to put the blame on those poor pilots. you never know what goes through someone's mind when near death until you've felt it yourself. they were heroes who saved hundreds of lives.

[@brendaduncan4347]

The pilot should have realized there was no computer error when the first engine went out. However, he is one heck of a pilot, and both pilots are heroes. They kept their heads and did what they had to do in extraordinary circumstances. And all the lives aboard were saved!!!

[@MikePBabbyy]

The co-pilot stressing me out at 34:30 and on. Couldn’t have been the calm pilot with him 😂

[@alanwilliams9310]

As this was an ETOP's flight, the flight crew should have been monitoring their possible diversions the whole journey!

[@richardpaulholdengarde7321]

I was a Airline Pilot flying 747/200/300 Aircraft with 22000 hours without incident and In 1994 Airbus told SAA that they will give them Airbus 340 series Aircraft cheaply so long as they destroyed the 747 fleet fully. I did the 340 Conversion and flew the 340 /300/600 for 4 and half years and found the Airbus system was totally illogical and had Many problems, that Factory couldn't sort out . I left SAA and went back to fly 747/300 all over the World until my Retirement, I predicted, because the pilots where loosing their Skills that there would be an accident because of the illogical Airbus 340 etc systems

[@racerpro2123]

Thats really a wonderful career, you must had enjoyed the thrills.But I have a doubt after watching this documentary.When there is a leakage, computer should show oil pressure drop but here it was showing exactly the opposite.Why? Which oil pressure,it was showing? Isn't it showing the fuel pressure or what?

[@MikeM275]

I'm guessing from your grammar here that you are not a U.S. citizen? ie, English is your second language?

[@allanc7654]

I have 4000 hr L1011 so nothing compared to you. Airbus "law" Is ludicrous . Pilots ask the plane to climb and the computers will decide if they want to listen to you. If not you cut down trees , do an Airshow over Moscow or go swimming in Atlantic . With new Boeing the fly by wire cannot ignore your input . It will increase load to "recommend" you don't climb but end of day pilot is in command.

[@paulabrown6840]

If you are ever in a ditching DO NOT inflate your life vest until you are OUT of the plane…otherwise you will float to the ceiling and not be able to get out.

[@KoireGerald]

Very true

[@RMUNOZ1963]

Not enough bathrooms on airplanes for this type of event.😂

[@NightRidah777]

This is why I always wear brown pants 😂

[@rossk4864]

I think most were frozen to their seats anyway. I'm glad I wasn't part of the ground crew tasked with clean up!

[@RMUNOZ1963]

@@NightRidah777 😩😂

[@RMUNOZ1963]

@@rossk4864 I wouldn’t be able to move. I can’t even swim. Important to listen to stewards specific instructions. Do not activate the life vest till we are in the water. if this ever were to happen to us.

[@gryphon10]

​And a diaper since you talk like a child​@@NightRidah777

[@michaelrandall2070]

Keep the cross feed running and the fuel loss is increased. Better to have one engine running than none.

[@ytfeelslikenorthkorea]

26:24 that was a big eye-opener - that landing looked almost perfect, yet most people didn't make it. What is doing most of the damage is physics - rapid deceleration and your internal organs are smashed like eggs, spines snapped... Chances of surviving ANY incident in the air are are comparable to winning a lottery, tbh. That's why 1549 incident is called 'Miracle on the Hudson'

[@TomHigginsWx]

Posting the episodes sequentially, I like it!

[@Sarika116]

Hey there! I just had to share how much I absolutely love the KZbin channel Mayday: Air Disasters! Their in-depth investigations into aviation incidents are both riveting and educational. Each episode combines detailed analysis with gripping storytelling, making it not just informative but also incredibly engaging. The way they explore the factors leading to each disaster and the subsequent safety improvements is truly impressive. It’s amazing how they make complex aviation concepts accessible and fascinating. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I highly recommend giving it a watch-it's an eye-opening experience that really deepens your appreciation for air travel safety. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Best, sarika!

[@jshepard152]

I read a story once about Gordo Cooper, one of the original 7 NASA astronauts. He was flying from Houston to Huntsville, and landed in Birmingham because he was almost out of fuel. The ground crew delayed his refuel, which irritated Gordo. He had a few minutes remaining, so he decided to take off, gain some altitude, then bring it in dead stick in Huntsville, out of gas. He did, and made it. Those guys were built different.

[@PianoGesang]

Wouldn't have wanted to be on that plane though.

[@khobos94]

Captian's calmness👌

[@natehill8069]

A little too calm. The FO was telling him the didnt have enough gas and the capt was just blowing it off as computer gaslighting.

[@khobos94]

@@natehill8069 it only becomes a problem because the FO was spot on

[@natehill8069]

@emma2teach752 First Officer; ie the copilot

[@ChancetheCanine]

Everyone lived, no one hurt! They got to figure it out!

[@alistairedwards494]

Thank you for saving those people Sir.

[@kevinriddell2105]

Captain Pichè retired in 2017 aged 65.

[@sonicthecoolchog]

How do you know that.??😮

[@johnbrett8788]

@@sonicthecoolchog it’s on his Wikipedia page.

[@sonicthecoolchog]

@@johnbrett8788 oh thanks for reminding me

[@theworldofmetta5969]

Amazing video . Great piloting skills .The hard landing turned out to be a blessing in disguise , it assisted in the bursting and blowing out of most of the aircrafts tyres ,.... this , in turn , - through increased drag , - at the point of plane / runway contact - slowed the plane down sufficiently enough for it to stop short of the sea cliff at the end of the runway . Huge mistake to transfer fuel from the engine that did not have a fuel leak to the engine that obviously did , and thus incurring the unnessasary loss of that engine also !

[@albertseabra9226]

The Airline Mechanics made a crucial error. The proper parts were not installed when the engine was replaced.. Nothing to do with Airbus Corporation. Airline policies were at fault. While fuel was still being fed to the engines, pilots discussed a possible major leak. They had been in contac with the Azores Tower -- they were ready to accommodate them. Yet they didn't change course until both engines run dry. As mentioned by the pilots, they would be penalised by the Airline, if the situation was due a mere computer error. Safety versus tight Company policies. And for the Pilots, the wrath of the Top Brass was clearly a major threat. Unfortunately, a quite common environment in most Airlines

[@drl5002]

Not to mention rolls Royce for failing to include a necessary part.

[@jadall77]

A shout out to flight crews pursers and Flight Attendants as they showed in this their responsibility and heroism! I think is understated in all emergency situations!!! I leaned from a friend who was a Purser you wouldn't believe the stuff they do. Also from personal observation when I was on a flight the Flight attendant/ Purser etc. has to enter the cockpit now as it doesn't look like it is allowed to have 1 person in the cockpit at any given time. So I saw the cap or 1st officer go to the lavatory and the flight attendant entered the flight deck.

[@adrianatkins3128]

Yes. Standard practice

[@ScottS-56]

Great job Captian and FO!

[@alkasimturaki8194]

The pilot and co pliots are living legends

[@JonCampos-kh2bw]

I feel sorry for the mechanics. They simply did as they were told.

[@mobilephoneuser-pr8cj]

Firefox and you black origin ad blocker that stops all ads including Firefox for mobile

[@TranscendianIntendor]

The Chief Mechanics I have known would not have signed off on mismatched parts under any circumstances. The Chief mechanics I have known take signing there name to a document of airworthiness very very seriously.

[@fernandogallardo3458]

When the pilots first noticed a fuel warning, whether false or not, they were supposed to declare an emergency landing. Who wants to be flying in an airplane playing Russian roulette? The pilots are responsible for not taking the fuel warning system seriously, and for not declaring an emergency landing. The mechanics are responsible for putting the wrong parts, and not reporting it to the FAA. The lead mechanic is responsible for giving orders to mechanic to install the wrong parts. (1) The lead mechanic is guilty of NEGLIGENCE, for giving orders to the mechanic to install the wrong part, and not reporting it to the FAA. (2) The mechanic is guilty of NEGLIGENCE, for installing the wrong part, and not reporting it to the FAA. (3) The pilots are guilty of NEGLIGENCE, for failing to declare an emergency landing when the fuel warning light first came on. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out, it only takes common sense to figure this out.

[@4431charlie]

@@fernandogallardo3458 it's bedtime

[@alig-cc3st]

@@JonCampos-kh2bw I agree.

[@ApexPredatorWithSungGlasses]

20:26 bet First Officer be like: "So Captain, do you believe me now we have a fuel problem?" 🤣🤣

[@AndyJarman]

What do you think? Engine temp is low would make me suspect an oil leak. Then low fuel would make me think fuel leak. Tentatively feed fuel to the other wing then turn off the transfer pump and check how fast the fuel you've transferred disappears.

[@jovanakrstic9016]

Niko ne moze biti toliko pribran u tim trenucima...pilot jeste bio malo opusteniji i prebacivao na gresku kompijutera...ono sto se treba raditi je zapisivati sta se ucinilo nakon izbijanja problema i to ponavljati da bi eto nekom palo na pamet da isprave grešku...ali to je sve jako teško kada si tako visoko u nekakvoj konzervi. U svakom slučaju svaka čast na odličnom spustanju aviona i hrabrosti da ponovo uzlete i rade svoj posao.

[@AeroTravels]

Love mayday documentary’s!

[@bgtsy]

The crew performed excellent under pressure. Would hope they’d be on my plane in similar circumstances Hindsight always so damn perfectionistic. They made it. Kudos!

[@jimmyj5557]

Although pilot has landed the plane safely, i still question his judgement. He should have closed the crossfeed valve once it s obvious there is something wrong.

[@Tikvah99]

While such disasters are obviously awful for the passengers - it's got to be 100 times worse for the pilots as whatever the outcome, they're first to know it whether good or bad, and to see or know you're not only going to die, but maybe 300+ passengers will die with you - that has to be much tougher to cope with! No amount of money is compensation for that scenario :(

[@glancechair3613]

Wonderful landing

[@AlexRob_16]

24:40 - something deeply profound that retelling of his friend's story that he was talking with his dead father. Life and death situations really put you in a state of mind that is incomprehensible in any other context.

[@asmith2490]

What is the problem with placing some wide angle night vision cameras on the plane exterior? Two in the back showing each side and wings and two on the front showing bottom and top of entire plane. After watching more than a hundred of those videos I can say it would solve some of the problems. Pilots can see what's wrong instead of guessing or wait for a flight attendant to check with a flashlight and raport 5 minutes later. Is this about the money or for some magical reason it is impossible?

[@loritompkins6333]

Airflow at speed would likely rip the cameras off. And any little thing “sticking out” of a plane can affect control.

[@asmith2490]

@@loritompkins6333 Airflow doesn't affect pitot tubes (it's the reason they work) or duct tape glued on top of them (the reason they stopped working).

[@DD-wd7ku]

I have been thinking the same thing. Some planes already have a forward facing camera for passengers to see take off and landing video on their entertainment screens. So often in these videos we hear of the problem of pilots not being able to see what is happening to engines and wings. This day and age, there has to be a way of installing cameras without affecting the handling of the plane. Even a camera fitted to view out through a side window would give pilots valuable information in emergencies.

[@phreak761]

​@@DD-wd7kuThey don't want pilots focusing on anything other than flying the plane.

[@robertmatch6550]

It's a good idea, it's doable, and I think in the near future they'll do it.

[@googleuser4053]

man .. i got a migraine while watching this . What a brave pilots God bless them both ❤

[@Gentleasabee]

Maybe the REAL reason than flew on empty is told in a video I just watched the other day "Air Cacada 143 becomes Powerless and falls from the sky". The ground crew calculated need fuel in millilitres instead of gallons. THEY BOTH FLEW OUT OF CANNADA! Separated by years but yeah some people never learn....😮

[@cindy7938]

So glad they made it down safely 🙏❤️

[@grizzly7013]

They should design commercial airplanes so they can land on water.

[@ry.hoshiko5482]

After watching so many Mayday episodes, it is horrible that sometimes the smallest of mistakes, errors or parts that brought down a whole plane and hundreds of lives. In this case, it's great that everyone survived. But damn those 3 millimetres mismatched pipes nearly cause the loss of 300+ lives is unfathomable.

[@dawnwilson1529]

Amazing landing!

[@brandonmcheyenehoward1077]

The flight crew worked so well together 🙌

[@bigmaxcc]

18:41 this can’t be I’m not gonna go completely d/dry on this f ing plane 😂 that part made me laugh

[@synstreamings]

Same for me too lol 😂😂

[@eagleeagle681]

Both pilots are heroes 🙌

[@wepipe]

Flight attendant - " excuse me, can i occupy your window seat momentarily, just a ROUTINE mid-flight monitoring of the externals for 'tectnical records', thankyou"

[@ChancetheCanine]

😂

[@adrianatkins3128]

@@ChancetheCanineabsolutely the correct standard response so as not to cause mass panic

[@MrRaghuramC]

Sensors in cars and bikes also do not work properly. I have seen that many times. This is why proper maintenance is very important. We are dealing with machines, after all. Just imagine how much we will start relying on machines if AI start taking over our daily lives.

[@BabuDebnath-ur4zj]

Tanay. I see this program during my childhood days 2005 year after so many years later i see this i like it thank god they all are safe pilot doing good job.❤

[@MrBobochow]

The pilots didn’t stop flying the aircraft, hard to believe a major fuel leak could even happen. Made the correct decision at the critical juncture while trying to wrap your head around the exact problem.

[@IsmaelHernandez-ez7tu]

I'm not sure how they fuel the planes but they probably used fuel from a different tank believing it was the same batch number quality

[@MichaelGarland]

Initially transfer a limited amount of propellant and ensure functioning engine has enough to reach destination.

[@audreym3777]

Two amazing pilots!!!

[@MaydayAirDisaster]

💯👍

[@minetruly]

18:40 they made up the dialogue, and they included a word that had to be bleeped out?? X'D

[@vwlover2]

The story was originally made for tv. I would say that it was only bleeped out for KZbin

[@janeceeastwood8035]

It’s not that a qualified worker was actually unqualified, it was that the corporate leaders were thinking only of money. They were unconcerned about lives.