The Bet That Killed 70 People | Aeroflot Flight 6502

[@MiniAirCrashInvestigation]

Correction: I said Tu 136 I Meant to Say Tu 134

[@Fortkitty]

Makes more sense

[@amazingazblo0239]

Tu 136 actualy does exist but sadly it's a consept plane despite they have done testing but it's not commisioned

[@BLG1990]

Also: Tupolev Not Tupolov

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

@@BLG1990 neither is accurate if you look at the original, so, would not mind this...

[@BLG1990]

@@stanislavkostarnov2157 what's the original? You made the effort to comment I thought you would of told us. Do you mean the original in Russian or the English translation? Because I can only find Tupolev, I am being picky obviously.

[@thatonecurlyboy2979]

Imagine losing a loved one on this flight and then hearing what they died for...

[@TreesRgreen123]

Or imagine losing your loved one on it just to find out that the idiot that caused it survived

[@Jabozanator]

@@TreesRgreen123 hopefully the pilot had fun in jail.

[@ashsherman]

@@Jabozanator anyone find out his sentence?. I can't find it.

[@Jabozanator]

@@ashsherman video said it was like 12 years reduced to like 5 or smthn I can't remember exactly

[@georgewashington7313]

@@ashsherman 15 years reduced to 6.

[@Twiska]

I don't get the co-pilot answering with "I'll take that bet, " implying he didn't think the captain could pull it off. What did the co-pilot think would happen if he won the bet? "We've crashed. Now you owe me a beer!" ??

[@oldironsides4107]

The guy is a legend.

[@deathbringer9893]

@@oldironsides4107 agreed but would be idk better if no passengers were on board

[@stephenc2481]

You may label the situation as "over confident" bias phenomenon or whatever. At the end, you have to to take the safest path to ensure the safety of all on board. In this case, it is total disregard for passenger's lives. Do your stunt bet with your co-pilots alone.

[@Gultiere]

Lol shit that’s a good point

[@spayrex_]

"i think they didnt think much" but i would say that if he couldnt do it they would have flown up again (damn im good in ingish)

[@Tindometari]

My strongest memory of flying Aeroflot in 1987 is Tashkent Airport. When we arrived, I noticed a burned-out hulk of passenger liner lying between the taxiway and the runway. It would have taken an expert on Soviet passenger jets to identify it by make and model, it was that destroyed. As we taxied back, I got a very close look and noticed vegetation growing in, on, and through the fuselage. The hulk had been where it was for some time. Saw it again when we took off again. Now there's a view to have on your takeoff roll! Many years later, come the Internet, I was able to track down the incident. The plane had caught fire and burned during refueling in 1981. Remember I was seeing this in 1987? Can you imagine an American airport leaving a crashed wreck of an airliner by the side of a runway for six years?

[@fernfunk]

ha! maybe it's a good reminder for the pilots taking off to be careful and not get too cocky!!

[@zangrygrapes4571]

What is the flgith number of the plane that crashed?

[@scoreigh24]

​@@zangrygrapes4571found it: Aeroflot Tu-154B-2 (СССР-85448)

[@IcedFREELANCER]

@@zangrygrapes4571 a late reply but I suppose that was an accident on 8 September 1981, a Tu-154B-2 burned down during refueling

[@Treblaine]

"the USSR wasn't that bad"

[@kyliepechler]

The pilot's prison sentence being reduced to just 6 years (from the original 15 years) for recklessly killing that many people is just horrific.

[@KingoftheJuice18]

The 15-year sentence itself was appalling. How about 70 consecutive life sentences?

[@221b-l3t]

@@KingoftheJuice18 He probably got sent to a Gulag so 5 years = 30 years in a western prison.

[@221b-l3t]

@@KingoftheJuice18 15 in a Gulag is a death sentence for most people.

[@KingoftheJuice18]

@@221b-l3t Thanks for this information, but are you sure it was a gulag?

[@221b-l3t]

@@KingoftheJuice18 No bit people where sent there for much less. He made Aeroflot and by extension the entire USSR look bad and the thing was leaked so no containing the info and giving him a slap on the wrist. Once it's public they had no choice but to go for a harsh punishment. But no, I don't what prison he went to. Maybe he got lucky, maybe he knew some higher ups and they pulled some strings.

[@murilovsilva]

Speaking as a professional pilot, I can confidently say that the most amazing thing about this whole mess is the fact that they still ended up exactly over the runway, after performing an NDB approach. You see, the most widely used methods for approach these days are ILS and RNAV, and they are both very precise and reliable. Compared to them, NDBs are *insanely* inaccurate. They have been largely phased out in much of the world, but are still commonly used in Russia and some developing countries. NDBs use low frequency radio waves, which are subject to severe distortion and interference. Depending on the condition of the antenna, the quality of the onboard equipment and the nature of outside interference, bearing errors as large as 30 degrees off course are not unheard of. Which is also the reason why NDB approaches requires much higher visibility than an RNAV approach, for example. And these guys made it to the exact runway, and lined up as well?? Holy cow. If they had descended a few seconds earlier, there is a possibility that nobody would even notice something was wrong. And this ties to my next point. You’ve mentioned an absolutely crucial word: Normalcy. This wasn’t the first time the captain did this stunt. In fact, where I learned to fly, we used to say that “a bold pilot never crashes on his first stunt”. That’s because dangerous habits grow slowly and evolve over time. The captain had probably made that exact approach into that airport a thousand times. I’d wager a bet (ha.) that he NDB on that particular field was always spot on, and as he became more used to the timing of each step, where to start the descent, etc, he grew comfortable over time, and then began experimenting, first descending a few feet below the minimum descent altitude, and then getting bolder from there. Heck, at this point I’d hardly doubt it he probably did that reckless stunt a few times before (there’s probably a good number of FOs and FEs that have had to pay him a round of beer there). But at some point or another, his recklessness was bound to catch up on him. Apologies for the long comment. Thanks for the video! Very well researched and produced.

[@youngeshmoney]

No, thank YOU for the long detailed explanation lol

[@dukemetzger3784]

I think you you won that bet...lol This makes so much sense to me as you described it. As a writer, I always look for those little things that make a larger story work, and this is one of the ones I use most. Small things over time that add up to the eventual tragedy.

[@commodorejones8044]

Well put summery, and comment.

[@kbkb117]

Yessss thank you for the insight !

[@tvsultan1]

As one capt to another, you are precisely spot on. couldn't have explained it better myself. Flying NDB approach to minimums is a challenge in itself, how he flew and aligned to the runway without looking is beyond my imagination.

[@kayakdog121]

I was a maritime captain. It's common to have other qualified officers navigate the vessel while I'm taking a break. It was the ones who seemed cocky and over-confident that I was the most reluctant to leave in charge in the pilothouse in my absence. Those are the ones you have to keep an eye on all the time.

[@jonathanrubino2577]

Good scatter those mischievous bastards 😅

[@anticlockwisepropeller7379]

Just like the old saying goes: "There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots. But there are no old, bold pilots."

[@redblade8160]

AnticlockwisePropeller Well, we are never going to forget that saying, considering that you always repeat it for every aircraft disaster video.

[@sct913]

@@redblade8160 The saying is actually "There are bold pilots, and there are old pilots, but there are very few bold and old pilots."

[@redblade8160]

@@sct913 There you go again, is that your mantra; do you say it 100 times every night before you go to sleep?

[@sct913]

@@redblade8160 Where did you get that idea? I was merely pointing out that someone who uses a tired phrase should at least take the time to do it correctly. And, for the record, I am also growing tired of seeing Anticlockwisepropeller use it in every air disaster posting here.

[@atzuras]

"Bold" is a correct word for this video? I would say Reckless, Maniac, criminal behaviour. And the worst, he managed to survive.

[@ltothejtothep1983]

Am I the only one that angrily yelled out “COME ON!” To find out those idiots survived

[@smasheduptoaster9186]

Yes. It was stupid but they did not deserve to die.

[@gopro369]

@@smasheduptoaster9186 but all relatives probably would feel better knowing they died as well

[@rajeevkunapareddy1182]

@@gopro369 ?? Nah mate, everyone dying won’t solve the problem

[@StarrySkyyyy]

@@smasheduptoaster9186 Involuntary manslaugher by negligence that caused the death of 70 people. It's only fair that the idiotic decisions they made would've been the cause for their own deaths as well.

[@Rachets]

@@StarrySkyyyy I believe they should have lived to be held accountable for their actions. Death is such an easy way out sometimes.

[@killmoreturtles]

What contributed most to this crash is probably the fact that in Russian culture ( like many other cultures), you NEVER question the captain. It's certainly an interesting phenomenon, because it's likely that the other two guys in the cockpit were not keen on the idea. And even though the 1st office said he'd " take the bet", it's almost like he probably felt he had too, otherwise he'd be questioning the ability of his commanding officer, which is a big no-no

[@iwams1]

good analysis, especially in Soviet times it was at least seen as lack of respect if you do not agree with the higher-ups or speak against their words, or actions. we've seen how that can be a good thing and also a bad thing depending on the scenario

[@alexrailton2067]

@@iwams1 This scenario was definitely bad lol

[@Alexxxxxxxxxx3577]

Taking that bet IS questioning the ability of the captain lol

[@killmoreturtles]

@@Alexxxxxxxxxx3577 Yeah. I think that might have been a translation error. There would be no reason for the co-pilot to say " nah, I don't think you can make that".. because not making that is a death wish for all involved. I think the proper translation is that the co-pilot agreed that he believed the pilot could pull it off, too. And it's not like the co-pilot would have been able to collect on that bet, if he were to "win" :-)

[@anyadaz]

Also in Eastern Europe and in commie block countries in general, we don't value our lives that much. We know humanity is all messed up anyway.

[@vorpalalice82]

5:19 No, not "just one person". The crashed was caused by everyone in that cockpit. Sure he was flying, but everyone who didn't stop him was equally responsible.

[@maxkrepps9474]

I don’t know if i’d say equally. more like a 25 75 split

[@SnD340]

Don't share that responsibility with others. That's like saying people who "watch" bullying happen is a bully too. No that is a bystander Bystanders do not share the same responsibility and guilt as the person who did it

[@maxkrepps9474]

exactly, its not black and white like that.

[@xslite300]

@@SnD340 you're wrong, they were all in on the bet, they are all at fault, they could have said no that's they're responsibility

[@jackraylongiii9663]

When it comes to flying, the FO and FE had a duty to speak up and not take the bet or call it off, they are at fault as well. Still wouldn't say the same amount of fault but fault none the less...

[@SleeplessSwan7]

I just appreciate how you explain technical terms like NDB. It adds more context to the story for the less aviation savvy. Amazing stuff as always!

[@PassiveSmoking]

To go into a little bit more detail, NDB = Non-directional beacon. Basically it's just a crude transmitter that transmits its own name in morse code. You use the automatic direction finder (ADF) on the aircraft to figure out which direction the signal is coming from. You need fixes on at least 2 NDBs to work out where you actually are, so the aircraft has to be fitted with multiple ADFs

[@Michael-ig8ne]

@@PassiveSmoking so you don’t need two NDBs or ADFs to triangulate your position. You can use any other ground based nav radio as a a cross radial. Whether it’s a VOR, Localizer, or anything else.

[@idsawtooth]

@@PassiveSmoking Not quite...

[@acsimpson2633]

An NDB is an AIRFIELD APPROACH AID. It is not a runway approach aid, nor is it a precision approach aid. Various Military Squadrons of the West home to the NDB ‘Overhead’, fly outbound on a bearing using a drift-corrected heading. A normal outbound distance is 9-10 nm achieved by timing - using a Stopwatch - with distance run each nm using the pre-calculated ‘seconds-per- mile’. There is usually a descent profile from the NDB o/h to the chosen dist. out, usually 2,500ft above the airfield altitude or higher regarding local terrain. Turning inbound after the rate turn of 3deg/sec, aligning the a/c with the beacon a descent profile is flown to Decision Altitude 500ft above the Runway Threshold Elevation (say 495ft amsl) so the DA is 995

[@acsimpson2633]

I didn’t finish it…………touched Return, Muppet. To finalise it, this type of execution of an NFB approach was only performed by a highly-qualified Flight Navigator using Compass(es), stopwatch, Doppler drift & ground speed for timing and a Doppler-driven Along&Across Track readout. And an expensive Altimeter. It takes weeks to train to an acceptable level of competence in order to safely and professionally carry out an NDB Approach. It’s not for the faint hearted, particularly in IMC, at night and with 2,000 ft high ground either side of your inbound and outbound course. Oh it’s easier now with GPS, but this type of airfield approach was pre ILS, Auto-ILS, autoland, DME, RNAV and other stuff all the way up to the Executive LEGO option (bring your own bricks). I know all this s**t as I trundle off into the sunset of life - I was one of many Military Navigators to perfect (almost) this operation. Over and out. (Stay safe).

[@grantbaker86]

"I just can't see myself making that mistake" Neither could the pilot

[@Coastfog]

Well, the pilot couldn't see himself failing the attempt. while bro can't see himself considering the attempt.

[@danilon3121]

I wonder if these guys were former fighter pilots? That might explain their risk taking behaviour and possibly why nobody questioned the captain.

[@christiand4630]

Nearly all Aeroflot pilots had back then a military backround and most of then were also reserve pilots for the case that the cold war became hot.

[@markbantz9699]

Christian d shitty piolets!

[@vernonsmithee792]

"In Soviet Russia, airplane crash....YOU👊!!!!

[@mikeb.5039]

There is another you tube video where the crash killed 16 admirals of the Soviet Pacific Fleet. The Soviet Union place a lot on following orders without question. At the time of the accident questing your superior officer could have possibly landed you in a work camp. On the other hand, western airlines did have the same problem too of flight crews not questioning a captain's questionable decision, difference was if you did the worst thing to happen was you lost your job. But after a few accidents 'of pilot error crews are now trained to speak up.

[@gasdive]

@@mikeb.5039 Unemployed in the USA isn't wildly better than work camp in the USSR. If I had to choose, I'd find it very difficult to pick one.

[@ASweetShortCake]

Literally could’ve been solved by a “And what happens if he LOSES the bet?”

[@goldenagelifestyle7121]

That was literally my first thought when it came to the first officer🤣. "If you win this bet you'll most likely die".

[@atherrien95]

@Billy Boshanski You alright?

[@vasilcvetkovski8383]

You win 20 bucks but definitely lose your job, maybe your life too. But hey, 20 bucks is 20 bucks.

[@Bluehoodlines]

Back then questioning the captain could result in you loosing your job

[@tappajaav]

@@Bluehoodlines Losing your job beats losing your life

[@jonyh]

Wasn't an Aeroflot flight the one that crashed because the crew let children fly the aircraft and then they themselves couldn't fly it without the autopilot assistance? Man, what an airline.

[@wholeagain]

Yes it was… sad part is they should have let the autopilot do it’s thing and they would have probably lived. 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@earth2ash4]

Yeh, the kids sat in the jump seats. One child took hold of the control column and moved it downward in a harsh manner "simulating flying the plane i guess" as it was on autopilot. But what the pilots didn't realise was that any sudden strong movement of the column automatically disengaged the autopilot, as the plane registered that as the pilot needing to regain immediate control. Kid froze whilst holding the column down pushing the nose down. it went into a nose dive and the gravitational force was too strong for the pilots who weren't strapped down in their seats to be able to get the kid out. out of all the crashes in history that one is absolutely mind boggling.

[@Auriam]

@@earth2ash4 I have to look that one up

[@nehoaiiii]

yes, my thoughts exactly

[@Strideo1]

Aeroflot flight 593. It took approximately 3 and a half minutes from the time the active pilot's 16 year old son got behind the flight controls to the time the plane collided with the ground killing all on board. There are some really good videos covering it on KZbin including Fascinating Horror for a short explanation and Mentor Pilot for an in depth explanation.

[@cancel1913]

You cannot play games with other people's lives at your hands as a professional pilot. Period!!!

[@gopro369]

well, apparently... you can

[@imbadatnames8993]

You can but you can’t play again

[@firstylasty9417]

@@imbadatnames8993 Technically, this answer is more correct.

[@ijemand5672]

Of course you can if you have fun friends :)

[@hughmongous2554]

But they clearly did. Also, putting "period" at the end of a statement doesn't make it any more true.

[@Imfromjamaicaman]

That’s like a surgeon saying “I bet you a beer I can do this op blindfolded” No thank you

[@Max-kw2hp]

Yeah only difference is that for surgeon there is only 1 person on the table not an aircraft full of unsuspecting people

[@feraltaco4783]

That went from a stupid joke to a mass murder real quick.

[@android584]

If it was a cargo plane it would be more forgivable.

[@rilmar2137]

Such a terrible and preventable crash. And completely inexcusable at that.

[@PavelSkollSuk]

Well, based on Russians I know, it completely matches the Russian mentality. They are great and funny companions, but sometimes missing "инстинкт самосохранения".

[@jurajorsulic6032]

@@PavelSkollSuk It's funny that while сохранения means "save" or "preserve" in slavic languages, in Croatian we use this word ("sahrana") for "burial" (it is indeed an act of saving/preserving - a body in a casket). "Samo" still means "self" in this context. So "instinkt samosahranjenja" sounds to Croatian ears like an instict to perform a self-burial, which is quite accurate in this case.

[@ukan.536]

I think they were just idiots is all.

[@SPACECOWBOY_Hej]

Hey, he bet him. You weren’t there. ‘No balls’ was called, he had no option.

[@PavelSkollSuk]

@@jurajorsulic6032 in Czech it would be pud sebezáchovy. It sounds to me like instinkt samoochoření, instinct of self ill making.😁

[@Stormbolter]

I think this kind of "suicidal bets" were not as uncommon in the russian mindset of the 90's. There was a pervasive nihilism mindset in the population that lead to blatant disregard of one's own life and the others.

[@beyondbackwater4933]

Commie mindset

[@soin74]

I wouldn't say it's a commie mindset. What does that even mean. It's a mindset of people who feel powerless and rebel against it. We've all been there at some point.

[@beyondbackwater4933]

@@soin74 nihilist, insect mindset without regard or empathy for other people.

[@heneedsomemilk655]

I recently saw a CCTV video from Russia that I'll never forget. I don't know when exactly it was recorded, but it didn't look very old. Just a pedestrian (a woman, I think) walking along the sidewalk on a cold, snowy night. Suddenly, a person (a suicide jumper I believe) drops into view and slams dead on the curb, not ten feet in front of her. She slows down, looks at the body for a second or two, and then continues on her way, without ever having come to a complete stop. And that was it. Truly one of the most remarkable things I've ever seen.

[@christosvoskresye]

@@beyondbackwater4933 I'm as anti-Communist as anybody, but I think you could find plenty of this attitude under the Tsars.

[@John_cupra290]

When i worked at Glasgow airport just over 20 years ago, the aeroflot plane that used to land was an old converted bomber and the thing was an absolute deathtrap!! When the plane was coming in you could see it miles away by the smoke from the thing, a mixture of terrible fuel and tired engines, in the hold there was damaged aluminium panels protruding like blades everywhere, the thing couldn’t use an airbridge so had to be turned round before stopping because we couldn’t connect a push bar to the nose gear like any other plane which meant to board it you physically walked across the ramp and could see the vvv poor condition the plane was in in general. Used to baffle us watching people board the thing seeing the condition of it , every single tyre was completely thread bare.Im sure nowadays there obviously totally different but wow back then they were BAD and quiet frankly watching this video im not surprised it happened exactly as described. The plane in this video is very similar to the plane im talking about, it possibly is the same model. ✌️

[@snuffs.]

Imaging losing a loved one, then finding out the person that killed them and 69 others, only got 6 years in prison.

[@jesusislordsoontoreturn2178]

Nice Judge huh? Then you get someone with a little weed caught on them and get 20 yrs. This world is so screwed up.

[@boeingthepyroraptor7085]

In some countries you get get the death sentence for being gay but this Sh*thead got 6 YEARS?????

[@MrMajsterixx]

@@jesusislordsoontoreturn2178 come to EU bro, you can smokme infront of cops as much as u wish, atleast in CZechia

[@joelercoaster]

Someone needs to put a hit on that mass murderer

[@tsrmmercy836]

@@jesusislordsoontoreturn2178 20 years? Can you show us an example with creditable sources?

[@MaximumHeresey]

One of few cases where "flying under the influence" is a better excuse compared to the actual cause of the crash.

[@LexipMedia]

He was under the influence of testosterone. Worst drug of them all.

[@shadowflash705]

@@LexipMedia exactly. Just like before cameras that send automatic speeding tickets became a thing everywhere there were lots of people who were pushing pedal to the metal just to prove to themselves or to the others that they aren't afraid or just to get some adrenaline. Also when someone starts thinking of themselves as "experienced professionals" - RUN. People like that tend to skip on safety measures just because they did something 100000 times. And then 100001st time something goes wrong.

[@frankdreyer8069]

and maybe some Vodka..

[@WAATLP]

@@shadowflash705 I see people speed constantly. Was Is it really that much different in the past?

[@HW-sw5gb]

Interestingly enough Aeroflot has had that happen too. On Aeroflot Flight 821 the pilot was drunk and crashed killing 88 people.

[@Baskerville22]

Everyone in the cockpit who survived and who didn't say "no" to the Captain's insane bet, should have been charged with murder

[@natowaveenjoyer9862]

It was the passengers' fault for being there in the first place, the pilot did nothing wrong.

[@donaldhove6236]

I never thought someone would actually go for this with a plane full of passengers. I can somehow understand the pilots who toyed with a repositioning flight because there were no passengers. 15 years was too light. And yes the reduction to 6 years rubs it in

[@knutlovhoiden]

6 years….

[@firmanpandi9666]

Toying a transfer flight without passenger? Nuts! Just grab the flightsim rather than crashing multi million dollar aircraft XD

[@donaldhove6236]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/enSwnnaboLCClcU this documentary covers that incident

[@kyliepechler]

It did mention in the video that his prison sentence was reduced from 15 years down to 6 years.

[@sailaab]

Closed, secretive country + bribes or favours

[@perseusarkouda]

That was a cultural thing that exists even in Greece, where I'm from. Those people don't use safety belts in cars, not wearing helmets on motorcycles or even driving while intoxicated just to prove they're skilled and real men and mock those who do.

[@jeromewagschal9485]

I've spent 2 years in Athens, what you say is perfectly true...

[@paulh2981]

Eventually, Darwin will take care of that sort.

[@gopro369]

Yep, Georgians are the exact same

[@b-chroniumproductions3177]

Except for the drunk driving, that's different cause they're just gonna hurt themselves instead of passengers

[@LeviBulger]

The culture that invented Russian Roulette... Yeah it adds up that an Aeroflot pilots would do what they did. Lol.

[@mnirwin5112]

Just heard the pilot's sentence. The 15 years was barely adequate; reducing it to 6 made a mockery of all the people who died on the plane.

[@chasetonga]

I flew on Aeroflot several times in the late 1980s. That was a dare in itself. Those planes sounded like they were held together with string.

[@HoneyQuint]

Not true. They were OK in 1980s and aeroflot had a very good safety record.

[@chasetonga]

@@HoneyQuint Oh the pilots where very good. Smoothest landings ever, but the planes sounded scary.

[@LarryPigeon1]

I flew with them alot and i like them way more then my times from our line in germany alone the staff and the food was more then worth it

[@HoneyQuint]

In 80s a lot airplanes sounded scary

[@kuriyamatidusflossy]

I fly few times with Soviet planes I was really scared the noise level on it's own makes you concern if you gonna make it or not

[@erichaynes7502]

Check this out. I knew this guy who grew up in Hawaii, always very bold and manipulative. I'll call him Tom. Tom went to University of Hawaii -Manoa, graduated with a degree in communications. He joined the Hawaii Air National Guard or Reserves. He really wanted to fly airplanes but he was a Air Traffic Controller . As you know Air National Guard/Reserves only work one weekend a month. He wanted to fly so bad but he always took shortcuts. He finally talked a pilot who flew night supply flights from one island to another all night long. Well, they flew from Oahu to the Big Island one night. The runway on the Big Island didn't even have lights turned on. Not a big aircraft, just a prop job and Tom sat next to the pilot with one guy in back with the cargo. Well, they dropped the cargo off on the Big Island. What do you know Tom kept on telling the pilot he wanted to perform the takeoff. This is on a runway with no lights, might have been a big field idk. The pilot ended up letting Tom perform the takeoff, and sure enough Tom didn't know there was a slight rise and he ended up slamming the plane into basically the beginning of this rise, crashing the plane, killing the pilot. The cargo guy was injured but somehow he got out of the plane to go get help, I think he had to climb over 2 fences. Tom ended up living, with severe damage to his face and body along with memory loss. He forgets a lot of things but he still is extremely aggressive and pushy..he tells people he used to fly military jets, totally untrue. His crash was in 1996 the report is out there on some aviation site. Crazy fucker, reminds me a lot of this Russian asshole pilot.

[@JK-br1mu]

good story

[@devvydoesstuff]

i think i found it Jan. 29, 1996: Pilot Merlin Reed III dies and two other people are injured when a twin-engine cargo plane crashes just after takeoff from Waimea-Kohala Airport.

[@scee8474]

Atleast he’s in constant pain

[@DabNaggit]

@@devvydoesstuff Yea that ain't it lol.

[@anthonywilliams9852]

The pilot should not have allowed Tom to perform the take-off as he was not a licensed pilot.

[@brisetta]

Wow, this is an unbelievable story! Not only that it happened, but that the images were also leaked despite what a tight ship the USSR was running at the time. Frankly its a miracle that ANYBODY survived this. Just wows all around. Fantastic summary as well, and you have an easy to listen to voice! Consider me subscribed! Hugs from Toronto!

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

Pilot save

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

69 from 87 kill

[@c0mbo]

While my grandfather was army radio operator on tu-16, he had seen pilots training with covered windows, so this is common practice in army.Thats why I think he made that "deadly bet".

[@thatguyalex2835]

Airplanes should not be manufactured with covered windows, and covers should be removed after training cycles IMO. So risky what these Aeroflot pilots did. Horrible airline...

[@c0mbo]

@@thatguyalex2835 don't knows how horrible this airplane is, but covers for pilot windows seems like a bad idea.

[@TheFlyingZulu]

Covers for windows on military aircraft are for nuclear blast radiation and heat protection.

[@c0mbo]

I can imagine the weight of radiation protection. I think they built some tu-16 planes with this radiation protection for taking nuclear bombs, but those were variants of standard. But my grandfather told me it was a part of standard training. Something like "flying in zero visibility" The main question - why did they have to build passenger aircrafts with covers.

[@thatguyalex2835]

@@TheFlyingZulu Wow, I didn't know that. I thought the windows would use polarized glass or something to protect from the UV radiation, but would be useless against the X-ray and Gamma from a nuclear blast. Were these lead shields?

[@JohnDoe-ug3su]

"Those who survive a long time on the battlefield start to think they're invincible. I bet you do, too, Buddy." this pilot summed up in an Ace Combat quote

[@mikeb.5039]

Not always true sometimes it goes to show they were just wiser

[@aarondewindt]

It was probably the other way around. The pilot was one of the few without a military background, so was often looked down by his colleagues throughout his career. It may have been the case that he took the dare as a way to prove his skills.

[@michaelbuckers]

Meanwhile Ace Combat players: die on the tutorial mission.

[@ashsherman]

@@michaelbuckers it's a tough game Edit: actually i have no idea. Keep wanting to grab on sale but my backlog is insane

[@randomperson5775]

The last place i expected an ace combat reference

[@prolifekip9231]

Having run a steel plant for over 3 years, what I can say is safety is paramount. Never joke with machinery, all protocols have to be observed no matter how trivial since consequences can be dire

[@Fifury161]

I flew Aeroflot back in the 80s, the biggest thing I can recall is drinking Champagne out of a polystyrene cup that I discovered too late had bite marks and lipstick on it! There was also a smell of farm yard animals and straw along the aisle - this was later explained by the fact that they used the same passenger planes to transport livestock!

[@michaelscott356]

Bite marks and lipstick were probably from a stewardess scared shitless by pilot's previous landind(s).

[@sillysad3198]

@@michaelscott356 you r more right than you think. imagine how she was opening the plastic tube of those things.... you see? try it yourself :)

[@laylaminrir]

They reused the cup? Sorry had to confirm because lipstick and bitemark(??) on a cup sounds wacky

[@PolarBear12345]

Saddest part is that Aeroflot now turned the luxary experience on board game, where US airlines just did precisely the opposite. I don’t think there was a single flight i took past 10 years here where aisle did not smell like urine and there was no vomit stains 😅 how did we end up like that…

[@tio9428]

this was later explained...... I wonder, who explained it to you. Must be a person in the know has undertaken the task of explanation. Drinking champagne from the used cup amid the smell of farm animals... Hopefully you are doing much better these days than in the 80-s.

[@nickremezov2199]

I watched documentary on this tragedy in russian ~15 years ago and some pilot commented that they also did blind landings as an unofficial "training" for heavy weather (e.g. during heavy snow). So it seemed like a common practice, although obviously not an official procedure in any way

[@MaxPulse1]

That's ok if the FO is assisting by calling out when it is not ok to proceed.

[@zmajodnocaja5088]

In Soviet Russia plane land you.

[@wfettich]

that's ok as long as you do it without others on board

[@rrocketman]

Unofficial training - very interesting

[@g99se9]

Mmm hmm. “Training”.

[@Arc_5]

imagine just taking a flight back home then suddenly hearing "hey, i bet i could land this plane blind" in the cockpit

[@MovieMakingMan]

Why did this captain only serve 6 years!!! He killed 70 people! He should have gotten life without parole. I’d like to know what happened after he got out of prison. Did the families and loved ones of the 70 people killed hound that pilot?

[@drnogueiras8783]

He wouldn’t even have gotten LWOP in the US for this. I’m honestly surprised he did 6 years.

[@firmanpandi9666]

Soviet dissolute earlier than his term. Well you know 90's Russia pretty much a meh periode...

[@darcos7535]

I was thinking gulag actually

[@kyliepechler]

Yes, that is unbelievable serving just 6 years for doing such an irresponsible thing that caused the death of so many people!

[@thisguy9458]

the punishment of having to live with the mental turmoil of knowing you killed 70 people is enough

[@sergiocunha5077]

Great video!! The teaching about overconfidence can be applied to almost every human activity!

[@rolmaxify]

I flew with Aeroflot a few times in the last year. In my opinion, they really turned the tables compared the the old times. Their aircraft are all very modern (fleet age 5.5 years, thats very young for a legacy airline). Also their cabin personell is very friendly. I never felt unsafe at any point. I only had one issue once, where Aeroflot royally fucked up: I wasn't allowed to board on my flight back to Austria, even tho I was vaccinated (for vaccinated people it was allowed to travel to Austria). For some reason, they didn't have that information in their database, so I wasn't allowed to board and was stuck. However, after filing a claim, they immidiately recognised their mistake and reimbursed me fully for that flight (150€), as well as my unplanned home trip via Istanbul which amounted in almost 1000€, as well as an extra 250€ for the inconveniece. And all that within a week! In other airlines it takes half a year to get back anything. I'd definitely fly again with them.

[@angelachouinard4581]

Yes, true customer service test is how they respond and take care of you when things get screwed up. With something as complicated as air travel sooner or later there will be a screwup, so knowing how a company deals with it is good. Thanks for sharing the story.

[@AL-so5tl]

False sense of security.

[@willmcclenaghan109]

I flew with them from Moscow to Budapest in 2018 and it was fine.

[@rolmaxify]

@@AL-so5tl Care to elaborate?

[@AL-so5tl]

@@willmcclenaghan109 Cuz those nasty practices are BEHIND the scene.

[@Southern_Gospel_Archives]

One thing to be aware of with Aeroflot during Soviet times is, any non military flight was under Aeroflot, so a small Antonov-2 was under the Aeroflot banner. Besides the serious lack of safety culture throughout ALL of the Soviet Union, Aeroflot had a lot of crashes because all non military airplanes were under Aeroflot. Another thing to consider. Doing research, I found that in several crashes, including one over Uzbekistan that killed over 200 people (one of their worst accidents) the pilots had not slept in over 20 hours. People under that sort of fatigue act very much like a severely intoxicated person. Curious if that played a role in this accident.

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

Aeroflot is the biggest airline in the world 15% of world flights. of course in total a lot. but accidents in developing countries are much more

[@psilobom]

In an emergency I had to drive 20 hours on very little sleep(I meant to get a full night's sleep, but I think I only got 4 hours of sleep). Near the end of my journey, I had to stop to rest because I was almost hallucinating while driving. I thought I could make it until I saw what looked like a twerking minivan.

[@digitaltrix]

I enjoy watching your videos, I find your narrative informative, engaging and very conscientious. Great work and I’m happy to learn from you 👍🏼

[@youtube-handle-are-a-joke]

In the 90's I got to fly Aeroflot, the plane overshot the runway and circled around. But as he went full throttle to go back up, I experienced something I never thought possible : a plane flapping its wings. I thought the Tupolev was going to shake all its nuts and bolts loose. Scariest thing I ever experienced in my life.

[@peksn]

They are made to do that, you can see some exagerated video examples from boeings doing just that on KZbin. Still scary to see it yourself irl while just overshooting a runway damn

[@SkinnyPe]

Lol stoppp

[@uap24]

Aircraft manufacturers test wings by bending them to almost 90 degrees. So although it looks scary, it is completely safe and intentional.

[@officialspaceefrain]

I bet it shook your nuts 4 show.

[@maskcollector6949]

I’ve seen that happen plenty going through baddddd turbulence at night going through the dry line of storms in Texas in a big commercial plane. What an awful flight that was. I hate flying through squall line fronts. Storm seemed to go on for hours all the way to the west coast.

[@1965myctahg]

In my younger days I was an Instrument Flight Instructor and I have sat through a lot of Instrument approaches. An NDB approach is a non precision approach that only gets you close to the runway (maybe). No one would ever fly it all the way to landing. That's insane. That being said, I flew Aeroflot from Paris to Moscow, round trip, for the Paul McCartney concert in Red Square May of 2003 and the thing that stuck in my mind was that the seat covers and carpets were all worn and threadbare. It's a little disconcerting when attention isn't paid to the things that the flying public can see. How are the things we can't see?

[@danafry7085]

that's exactly what i thought when i flew spirit a few years ago.. there were little broken things - i remember in the bathroom in particular - exact same thought - what else is poorly maintained or broken? airplanes - like hospitals - should show signs of meticulous maintenance.

[@tappajaav]

And if the maintenance was done on the parts that actually matter?

[@rafaelgrysx]

I flew Aeroflot in 1999. The condition of the plane was the worst I have ever seen. Everything was rattling and moving. It felt like it's gonna fall apart. But they seem to have improved substantially by now.

[@silentnight2671]

Sounds hellish.

[@garrettb.-gtmkm9850]

Yeah, Aeroflot had issues back in the day. Almost all of their crashes in the 70s and 80s had no survivors. And some of these crashes were just disturbing - talk about Aeroflot 3352, how crashing onto some ground equipment could kill all but one person in the cabin (all the other survivors were in the cockpit). At least Aeroflot has cleaned up the record since the Soviet days.

[@christosvoskresye]

I dunno. I think a big part of the problem is a certain characteristic Russian attitude. I would be terrified to fly Aeroflot even today.

[@inf11]

@@christosvoskresye you are just biased

[@timmyy420]

@@inf11 No, he is correct.

[@boudicca9807]

I had to take two Aeroflot flights in 1989, flying from the Russian far east to Moscow with a changeover in I think Irkutsk. I knew about its reputation ('Aeroflop') and was nervous, to say the least. Luckily the flights were uneventful and I remember them only for the identical meals served on both (Soviet standardisation?), the unfriendly cabin crews and the lack of deodorant in use. It was an interesting end to a TransSiberian railway trip.

[@remetremet]

It's kind of logical they had no survivors - you can easier hide these crashes when you have no witnesses ;-)

[@090giver090]

There is an old russian aviation joke out there: "-What are most common last words in aviation? - Look what I can do! -And the second most common? -That's easy! Look how to do it properly!"

[@kolbola]

1973, Le Bourget, Tu-144 crash: The Soviet pilot, Mikhail Kozlov, had bragged that he would outperform the Concorde. "Just wait until you see us fly," he was quoted as saying. "Then you'll see something." - the rest is history now.

[@wernerboden239]

There's also a song: Trust me .. I'm an engineer

[@090giver090]

@@wernerboden239 Yes, But it's more applicable to Tu-104.

[@777Maranatha]

“UNEVENTFUL” - I absolutely love this word now when it is used in relation to a flight. I think this is the best thing anybody ever wants to hear about their flight! Pilots too, I’m sure.

[@ddawn23]

I flew one round trip on Aeroflot in the 90s. I remember it as two of the best flights I had ever taken. Smooth flying and great cabin service. The planes were quite old, but very clean. I'm glad I didn't know about their safety record at the time.

[@timothystockman7533]

NDB approaches do not have a DH "decision height", they have an MDA "minimum descent altitude". The MDA differs from a DH in that the aircraft is not descending on a known glide-slope, since there's no vertical guidance with an NDB approach. On an ILS, you make the go-around decision at DH, which is why it's called "decision height". On a non-precision approach such as NDB, you descend until you reach the MDA, but do not make the go-around decision until you reach supposed position of the airport, which is either ADF reversal if the NDB is on the field, or expiration of time from ADF reversal if the NDB is some distance from the airport. Non-precision approaches are MUCH different than ILS precision approaches because they contemplate that the navaid which is providing lateral guidance may not be at the airport, so unlike the ILS, where it becomes more sensitive and accurate as you approach the airport, a non-precision approach with an off-airport navaid will become less sensitive and accurate as you fly away from the navaid toward the airport. A non-precision approach requires visual contact with the airport, because the purpose of a non-precision approach is to get the airplane into the airport vicinity, not to get the airplane lined up with a runway ready to land. Therefore a blind approach is incompatible with a non-precision approach. For example, I once did a non-precision approach from a VOR over 20 nm from the airport. When I broke out of clouds I could see that I was about 1 nm west of the airport. Since I had the airport in sight, I just flew there and landed. OTOH, I once did an ILS approach where I was still in cloud at the 200 foot DH, but I could see the approach strobes flashing below me through the haze. I could see that I was on the extended runway center-line, as indicated by the strobes. Those strobes count as visual contact with the "runway environment", which allows you to descend to 100 feet before you must see the runway itself. I broke out at 150 feet and landed successfully. You can do these extremely low heights with ILS since you're in the correct position to land if you have the localizer and glideslope nailed. I looked up the approach plates for KUF. They don't seem to have strictly an NDB approach. There are a couple plates titled ILS or 2 NDB RWY 33. The 2 NDB approach appears to give you confidence you're lined up with the runway. I've never actually seen a 2 NDB approach, this one has 2 NDBs in line with the extended center-line at distances of 2.1 and 0.6 nm from the threshold. You would need a dual-pointer RMI with 2 ADF receivers for such an approach. It does have a rather low MDA since it is providing good lateral guidance so long as you keep the ADF needles lined up on the RMI, and intermittent vertical guidance, but still not the even lower DH of the ILS which provides continuous and accurate vertical and lateral guidance. This 2 NDB approach might give continuous enough lateral guidance to deliver the airplane over the runway, but since the only glide slope fixes are at the NDBs, there is a high likelihood that the aircraft would not be in the correct vertical position without early visual contact with the runway. So that which happened is kind of what one would predict would happen. The 2 NDB approach is so different than an NDB approach that you need to include this information, and an explanation as to how it is supposed to work, if in fact, that is what was assigned. I got my instrument rating many years ago when NDB approaches were common, but I never learned about 2 NDB approaches. A 2 NDB approach is different enough I'd think that one would at least want to practice a few in a simulator before attempting one "for real".

[@AdrianColley]

This comment is almost as informative as the video.

[@spvillano]

@@salemhighschoolvolleyball957 because, ignorance is bliss. Just ask the captain of that flight. On prison visiting day.

[@Michael-ig8ne]

Finally someone that knows what they’re talking about. If you wanna get real technical, let’s talk about VDP’s ool

[@timothystockman7533]

Here's an update after reading further available documentation regarding this accident. None of the reports I've read so far indicate what type of approach the aircraft was cleared to execute. One of the reports says that the approach was flown above glide slope, but within limits, which would suggest an ILS approach was executed, irrespective of the clearance. There is mention that the installed ILS was out-of-service at the time because its signals were not guaranteed within tolerance. However, the primary cause of the accident is apparently that the aircraft continued to descend at the DH without visual contact with the runway; the captain's curtains were still closed at DH. As a matter of fact, the aircraft descended into the runway without flaring, collapsing the landing gear and breaking off a wing. The aircraft apparently slid off the side of the runway and came to rest. There was no report of inadequate length of runway after touchdown. Maybe this confusion comes from machine translation of the Russian reports, because, as I understand them, the statement that the aircraft impacted the runway fairly close to one end, which I interpret as the approach end (beginning).

[@DealerD8vE]

@@timothystockman7533 Thanks for your initial post and for taking the time to investigate this further.

[@robertp330]

Vodka had to have been a factor here. Who would do something so reckless sober?

[@allenhonaker4107]

When you live in a society that promotes following authority without question it is no surprise the crew went along. As for the pilot, he boasted himself into a corner and chose to take a risk rather than lose face.

[@Rose_Butterfly98]

There were multiple points of failure that had to happen together. Namely the common sense of every person in the cockpit.

[@xtrwombat4876]

This is mother russia we are bears, and will fight for our honor.

[@Bruh-zx2mc]

@@xtrwombat4876 Nothing of value would be lost if Russia sank under the sea.

[@MartyWoodcock]

6 years for killing 70 innocent people? I MIGHT be able to understand 6 years per death.

[@cdc3]

Six years later, my wife and I flew Aerophlot from Kyiv to Moscva. It was a 4 engine under the wings configuration which was designed to easily be converted to military usage. What an experience! Before we boarded, I said to my wife, "If we land safely, remind me to tell you something." After we boarded and were seated, the "rustic" nature of the plane became very apparent. On everything, there were patches. Sometimes patches on the patches. There were literally live wires running down the isle. The hand luggage storage was a "bus" style netting on metal poles above us. I started to expect to see goats as fellow passengers. We took off. Never have I been on a plane that took off, raised the wheels and hit the gas like this one. The G force pushing us back into our seats was incredible. Happily, the flight itself was uneventful. Then came the landing. Absolutely the best landing I've ever experienced! It was so gentle that you didn't feel the tires touch the ground - seriously! There was a reason for that... When we disembarked, my wife reminded me that I had something that I was going to say. I turned her around and pointed to one landing gear with 4 tires on it. 3 out of the 4 had no tread and were "maypops". That pilot knew what he was landing on and measured his descent by the gentle millimeter...

[@bramverkleij8844]

Great story 👏

[@elil.9734]

Was it IL-86?

[@somnathmitra9651]

"started to expect to see goats as fellow passengers" -- That is hilarious 🙂

[@cdc3]

@@elil.9734 I really don't remember. It was 30 years ago.

[@busking6292]

@@somnathmitra9651 --1990--Moscow(vnukova) to Yerevan there were livestock in the cabin and from what I can remember, chickens,ducks and a couple of goats, there was no smell and everything went smoothly

[@DibIrken]

I'm glad the crew (or at least 2 of them) survived. We need someone to hold accountable for thus and they need to think about this decision for the rest of their lives.

[@kobejete2796]

Aeroflot has one of the worst customer services i've ever experienced. They refused to change my flight or provide a refund until I almost lost my mind at their office.

[@marystratton9769]

I had to take 4 Aeroflot flights in the summer of 1985. I remember writing to my folks that if they never heard from me again ... I went down on one of those planes! The flights were very interesting! The take offs were scary as heck -- seemed almost straight up! Pilots were great as we got to meet a couple of them ... being student's from America and all!

[@michaelscott356]

Yeah, REAL great! Sound more like rodeo performers. No thanks.

[@vollste]

Yup, ex-MIG fighter pilots. I experienced much the same in 1990 on trip to Russia…crazy!

[@yezdnil]

I used to work in the travel business in the '70s and '80s. Aeroflot had an appalling reputation in the Soviet period. One of our clients decided to fly to Tokyo via Moscow; BA to Moscow, Aeroflot to Tokyo. We did warn Him, but it was a cheaper option. When he boarded the plane at Moscow, he was among 6 people without a seat. The cabin door was closed and the plane started its push-back. One of the Russian passengers pointed this out to the cabin crew. The cabin crew, apparently a bit miffed, advised the pilot and the 6 'extras' were offloaded. He had to stay airside all night - visa issues - and took the next day's flight. Needless to say, not a happy bunny.

[@DerpRulesAll]

This is the same Aeroflot whose pilots on Flight 593 allowed a relief pilot's children to take control of the airplane.

[@pranavp8709]

Hey man great video. Just wanted to add that an other reason could be that another crew or crews might have done this, or worse falsely brag about it. The thought line would be “if he’s done it, why can’t I ? He came out it unscathed”. That could also be why the crew went along with it as they could also brag about it. Just some food for thought.

[@declannewton2556]

Finally somebody did a video on this!!!!! I remember posting a comment on this accident a while back on another aviation disaster channel. This is an accident so ludicrou that it's a shame how unknown it is.

[@matthewbrooks1556]

I flew on Aeroflot in 1983, on a high school trip to the Soviet Union. I was with my parents, and I’m surprised that my father agreed to fly on aeroflot as he had been a navigator in the US. Air Force, and must’ve known something about their track record. On a flight from Moscow to Tbilisi, we had a lot of turbulence, and my father was confused as to why the pilot didn’t simply change altitude a bit. It was a nailbiter. other than that the flights were mostly uneventful.

[@777Maranatha]

“UNEVENTFUL” - I absolutely love this word now when it is used in relation to a flight. I think this is the best thing anybody ever wants to hear about their flight! Pilots too, I’m sure. PS. I’m from the former-ussr. Aeroflot is horrendous. And I’m glad you guys made it out OK. God bless!

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

a possible secondary cause of this crash is other crew bullying/jibing of the captain over his perceived lower level of instrument proficiency... pushing him to make such a dare... from what I heard of this, the pilot was one of the few non former-military pilots in his group, and through this was often derided as an inferior aviator, or generally less bright in the pilot senses. having worked his way up from small passenger planes and agricultural aviation, he was looked down upon as a country bumkin so to speak

[@Boss_Tanaka]

So he proved them wrong...

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

​@@Boss_Tanaka No... but you can see why he'd go "F***, I'll take the challenge" in the circumstances... it is a very toxic thing.

[@m_k3291]

So Mimino crashed this plane? :/

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

@@m_k3291 I do not remember Mimino crashing... from what I remember of the soviet film, he actually was a pilot who used his experience to become a better person and better pilot... but he was a film hero, this is real life...

[@gopro369]

@@stanislavkostarnov2157 dude, you you know what joke is? lol or sarcasm?

[@johngrey5806]

Not only risking his own life, but playing with the lives of all the passengers too.

[@reidbronson6358]

In March of 1992, shortly after the fall of the fall of the Soviet Union, my late Wife was on a teacher exchange program in Vilnius, Lithuania. On the way home to Texas, they flew to Helsinki to catch a Finnair flight to Chicago. The airline was Areoflot. They were terrified. Nothing worked on the plane. While stretching out, my wife punched her foot clean thru the floor. Every teacher had their individual horror stories of that Areoflot airplane. Those were tough days for Areoflot. In 1992 and 1993 when I flew into Moscow on British Air, long lines of grounded Areoflot planes were covering the airport. One Russian on the plane claimed the planes were being cannibalized for parts. Her school district was incensed that the district's travel agency placed their staff on such a dangerous airplane.

[@dcuss7294]

I remember during the 1990s, a lot of my traveling friends would rave about the cheap prices while using Aeroflot, and were not aware of their safety record, and were shocked I finally made them aware of it. They started using other Airlines

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

They the biggest in the world

[@Ronin4614]

Great review. The bet was ego driven and what he was really betting with was the life of every soul on board. Prison makes perfect sense, reducing the time there does not. Thank you for this and all your reviews.

[@neilhilton35]

They should have served the full sentence imposed. We are good at reducing prison sentences here in the UK too just to brass off the victims and their families.

[@SWExplore]

I once flew on an Aeroflot jet from Cameroon in western Africa to Moscow for a transit stop, then the next morning I flew to Madrid, Spain. Lucky I didn't die in a crash. Today, I think Aeroflot is an airline that flies Western planes (Boeing and Airbus) that were virtually stolen from Western agencies. They simply kept the planes and stopped paying the lease agreement. Thieves!! I feel so very sorry for the Russian people who have been so badly misled...yet one more time through its history.

[@safileau2369]

how can someone be so dumb to do this, its bad enough if its just your own life at risk not all the passengers as well

[@Welgeldiguniekalias]

Vodka.

[@redblade8160]

Safile AU May be all the passengers agreed to it and they were placing bets as to whether the pilot could pull it off or not.

[@michaelscott356]

@@redblade8160 Surely you jest. :-(

[@redblade8160]

@@michaelscott356 It would coincide with all the other madness of these Russian pilots.

[@buffdelcampo]

@@Welgeldiguniekalias Exactly. Vodka. It was common even ten years ago. I don't know about now.

[@dark7element]

This is a nitpick, but the number of fatalities from Aeroflot crashes that you brought up includes the period from 1941-1945. There was, uh, a reason why that wasn't a particularly safe time to be flying in Russian airspace.

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

Ww2

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

Also on Jerman in 1944

[@robloggia]

When I first read the title I thought: "sounds like something Aeroflot would do" then I saw the thumbnail.

[@ciprian7243]

I was literally asking for this video like 2 weeks ago, at most, on a different channel. Glad it got made, eventually, cause this event deserves a bloody movie. Also, I disagree that it took one person poor decision for this to happen. The captain was not alone in the cockpit. The FO and flight engineer are just as guilty.

[@pgbrown12084]

6:50 To be fair, he added responsibility for the rest of the crew in other parts of the video. But ultimately, the captain does bare final responsibility for both his actions and the overly-lax environment in the cockpit that allowed this to happen.

[@ciprian7243]

@@pgbrown12084 yup, he did. I jumped to conclusions. But i do believe CRM and its importance is pivotal for this event like this. Proper CRM makes sure that a clown like that pilot is less likely to kill passengers.

[@bbgun061]

It's likely that the culture of the airline was such that the captain was treated like a god. The other crew wouldn't be allowed to question any of his decisions. Western airlines were just beginning to change their cultures at the time.

[@mikeb.5039]

There is another you tube video where the crash killed 16 admirals of the Soviet Pacific Fleet. The Soviet Union place a lot on following orders without question. At the time of the accident questing your superior officer could have possibly landed you in a work camp. On the other hand, western airlines did have the same problem too of flight crews not questioning a captain's questionable decision, difference was if you did the worst thing to happen was you lost your job. But after a few accidents 'of pilot error crews are now trained to speak up.

[@Hamstray]

i guess the FO won the bet though, too bad he didn't make it

[@josephconnor2310]

Wow, I have never heard of this. Thank you for posting.

[@keefbeef]

The pilot got 6 years in prison but what about the others? One died I guess but honestly what a shambles. They all needed life in prison, no parole.

[@rogerkearns8094]

'I bet I can do this thing, without killing us all.' 'OK then, you're on, bet you can't!'

[@coyote2792]

"You see, there are handful who are of survive. I am winner, da?"

[@KingoftheJuice18]

The very definition of a "no-win situation."

[@t0bias283]

Haha, only 11 likes?

[@KingoftheJuice18]

@@t0bias283 It's all relative; some people get zero.

[@mauricedavis2160]

Unbelievable, thank you for your hard work on these tragic events!!!🙏😢

[@dingus._.lolzzy]

Ty for putting captions!

[@jedivideo6203]

I flew on Aeroflot twice in 2012, from Yerevan to Moscow, and Moscow to Istanbul. I was initially nervous because I was well aware of the dangerous history of the airline, but the flights, planes and procedures were modern and safe and comparable to other major airlines today.

[@PolarBear12345]

They really have changed up the safety regulations, and it is truly great! Obviously, TSA got much-much stricter with ensuring nobody takes anything bad on board, but pilots now are quite awesome too. Take many frequent flights with aeroflot to a remote district deep inside arctic zone, and although winds almost strong enough to swip entire building off ground and visibility during polar night time is non-existent, pilots always managed to top-notch land every one safe and sound! Big props to those pilots! Really experienced folk.

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

in fact the Soviet Union had a low average per capita accident rate. because pilots can land their planes with their eyes closed. the majority of accidents are due to idiots rather than lack of skill

[@arinerm1331]

I flew several flights on Aeroflot in the late 1980s. On the return leg of my first Aeroflot round trip, the pilots learned that I can speak Russian, so they invited me to the cockpit shortly after take-off to chat. When I got there the Tu-154 was still climbing to cruise altitude, and the two pilots were kicked back with smokes and in a jovial mood. "We're hooligans," the Captain said. I shot him a questioning gaze, and he elaborated. "When we took off we didn't stop at the threshold as we entered the runway. We just kept going into our take-off roll. We're supposed to stop, but I don't like to lose my inertia." The two were easy-going and chatted for quite some time, and knowing now what I didn't know then I should have been worried.

[@suryasanyal]

Wat the hell.. ATC were lenient back in the days I guess

[@iv2sab512]

This is a well-written comment. I don't usually notice this, but it just sort of jumped out at me in this case.

[@tootsd]

This story is infuriating. The fact that nobody in that cockpit, tried to stop the pilot is just sad. The pilot gambled with all of the people's lives on that flight. I wonder how the captain felt afterwards.

[@calvinthomas3543]

Aeroflot seems to have had a bunch of such reckless pilots - This reminds me of Aeroflot flight 593 where the captain let his son fly the plane...

[@workingonmyroar7944]

That’s a crazy one

[@Strideo1]

Mentor Pilot did a great detailed breakdown of that one on his KZbin channel.

[@Mr.Chris.P.Bacon1]

That pilot got ONE HELL OF A DEAL regarding his prison sentence! He served LESS THAN 7 months for every person that HE KILLED! A trucker in America recently was sentence to 150+ yrs in jail for killing a family as he drove his semi truck. He panicked and forgot to use the EMERGENCY BRAKES. Even the prosecution admitted it was a careless mistake. That is the time this pilot and his crew should’ve gotten!

[@marcocycles411]

Right that's crazy

[@tissuepaper9962]

I disagree because the trucker was hired by a company despite being entirely unqualified, whereas this pilot was very qualified and just had a disregard for human life. There's much more criminal intent in the story of Aeroflot 6502 than there was in the story of that trucker. 150 years was way too much for gross negligence (especially for a 25yo), and 6 years was way too little for negligent homicide. 20 years, that's the sweet spot. That's the point where more prison time doesn't do anything to reform somebody, IMO. Do you think taking everything from somebody, including all the years of their remaining life, reforms them? What's the difference between that and a death sentence?

[@Squilliam-Fancyson]

In soviet russia there was that mantra that man always overrules machine. So they didn't care that much when safety euqipment was carelessly ignored. Thats why even the chief operator of chernobyl was less than 5 years imprisoned and even returned to the plant in 1992 as chief technical engineer:)

[@dimitrikemitsky]

@@tissuepaper9962 your opinion on how long prison terms should be to reform someone is meaningless. The trucker killed a family, they are just as dead whether he was 25 or 55, prison is about punishment and sending a message to others as much or more than anything else. This pilot should have gotten more time, not the trucker getting less.

[@irvhh143]

A semi truck doesn't have emergency brakes, not like a car. If the brakes fail, loss of air pressure, a steel spring will lock the brakes. This is also the parking brake. You can somewhat moderate the handbrake of a car. But, the parking brake on a truck will lock the wheels. Ok, there is actually video of the truck going down the hill. If the brakes had overheated, there would've been smoke and flames pouring out of the wheels (don't ask me how I know). This is a case of driver impairment, not mechanical failure, Based out of Houston, the driver was asleep at the wheel, most likely.

[@pedro1492]

"i can land this plane blind" A: "you're on" B:"cool."

[@Fomites]

I'm a former third level airline pilot (mostly in Papua New Guinea in the Nineties). I needed to fly from London to Australia in 2017. I checked with a good friend and former colleague from PNG who is a Cathay captain and he suggested that Aeroflot these days was quite safe so I ended up flying London to Hong Kong via Moscow. The trip was like any current day airline. But I certainly remember Aeroflot's bad days many years ago.

[@octaviovaladaoferreirinhad2689]

Great work. I first read about this accident on Quora. There was this question about the most avoidable air accident ever, and I wrote an answer telling about the crash of a B-52H at the Fairchild Air Force Base in June 24, 1994. The plane was lost due pilot's recklessness basically, and was in my opinion at the time the most avoidable. But then someone wrote an answer telling about the loss of this Tu-134 and I changed my mind : this people died because the captain was bored and wanted to show off!

[@xcigoat]

The spirit of Mischief was strong in the cockpit that day.

[@supermendi0078]

Here’s some feedback for you guys: If you do not see yourself being overconfident and making this exact same mistake, then you’re vulnerable to this exact same problem. As the video mentions, one of the main factors of this accident was that the captain did not conceive that he could fail and cause a catastrophe, and therefore he didn’t even analyze his decision, the other crew members were also blinded by this sense of confidence. It’s very easy to analyze and judge an uncomfortable situation, but the opposite occurs when you’re in a comfortable one, and we all aim to live a comfortable life even at work, do you see the issue here? That’s right, you’re bound to get involved in this exact situation, maybe not on a plane being the captain, but there are many other examples. Do not let comfort and confidence or even pride let your guard down, stay humble and realize that you’re vulnerable, specially on these situations.

[@sandraalexander4690]

Excellent comment

[@aldranzam3456]

Yeah. it made me think back on the stupid stunts I pulled and how close I was to real harm... The time I turned my bike in front of a bus and didn't see oncoming traffic.. the time I climbed into a locked room from the outside of a three story house... the times I took risks with dangerous animals... We're all lucky to be alive, and we ought to consider that more often.

[@howard5992]

Good point. But there are differences. First, there are people who consider that there are dangers but disregard them. These are the cases of overconfidence. Those people are "risk takers". Then there are people who are unaware of dangers or who don't make an effort to seek them as possibilities. Those are the people who face avoidable difficulties (or "mistakes"). The first group put themselves in harm's way. They make a choice. The second group are more just complacent. Of course there is some over-lap and, as you say, complacency leads to or is a form of risk taking. Your comment speaks more to the second type of situation. BUT in both cases we should ask ourselves these questions - 1) what could go wrong (could this fail in some way ) ? 2) what is the worst that could happen (what are the potential consequences ) ? 3) how can I best assure that I avoid failure ?

[@ChrysusTV]

Highly, highly doubtful. (Not to mention your comment only leaves one possible outcome: every person on the planet is overconfident to this degree and would make this _exact_ mistake. If you don't see yourself making this mistake, then by your logic, you would make this mistake. If you do see yourself making this mistake, then you would, by admission, make this mistake.) The pilot made a decision that was incredibly non-standard: that being intentionally eliminating his visibility. If the situation was just about a decision to make a minor change to the landing procedure -- something seemingly innocuous -- your comment might be relevant; but you said "exact same mistake," not "any hubris-driven mistake." The pilot requested his windscreen be covered _because_ it's risky and he convinced himself he could overcome that risk; not that he didn't analyze the decision at all as you state. That was the entire point of the bet, after all, and why it was a bet in the first place -- bets carry recognized risk and each side is betting on how that risk will influence the outcome. All you have to do is make a similar comparison. Do you see yourself intentionally covering the windshield of your car with passengers and driving a familiar route to see if you survive? I can't say I've ever had such a motivation once in my entire life. If you have, it's you with the problem, not us.

[@supermendi0078]

​@@ChrysusTV I only said ''this exact same mistake'' because of how unthinkable it is for all of us to do something like this, but what I essentially mean is any mistake caused by this kind of behaviour and flawed CRM. I'm not saying that if you were the captain of that plane in that exact same situation you would make the same mistakes necessarily, what I mean is that this accident, which seems initially like something that could never happen...actually happened in real life, and that's what matters, it means that it isn't impossible for it to ever happen again and it also means that it isn't impossible for it to ever happen to you or me. I see this as an extreme case of overconfidence and maybe even arrogance, whatever it is, the fact that it is possible, even if extremely unlikely, is enough (at least for me) to consider myself vulnerable to this kind of behaviour, and try to learn how to counter it and identify it in myself, even if it only exists to a very small degree, I think it's important to stay humble and also try to learn as much as possible from every mistake we see, even if it seems like it could never belong to us... Although I get the feeling that you just want to undermine my comment for whatever reason, so maybe you don't care. I left the comment there for those who want to listen, it's just feedback, you don't have to read it or consider it if you don't want to.

[@pokerworld]

Caught with drugs: 10+ years Kill 70 people: 6 years

[@fergus247]

For some reason this makes me think of an episode on The Apprentice where a guy has immunity from being fired, and then at the board meeting he is like "im so confident i wont get fired, that i will give up my immunity" and then he got fired because he did that.

[@jmurray01]

That's like a doctor saying "oh I can do this appendectomy blindfolded". Just makes no sense at all for a professional to even suggest it, except in jest. To actually try and do it, with passengers on-board just shows how insane he was and how little regard they had for the lives behind them who were killed for no good reason. As for his sentence, that is just mind boggling. If I were the judge he'd have been looking at life with no possibility of parole. Lucky for him I'm not...

[@krashd]

There's a possibility that it may have been in jest until his first officer or flight engineer said "no way you could!" Many bets start as a joke.

[@Bren39]

@@krashd true.. Most men being naturally disposed towards being idiots.. Can be goaded into almost anything.

[@billbrown1335]

This is the most Russian story I've ever heard. 30 years of gulag threats make people play with death as if it were a kids playmate. Context is everything.

[@ELFanatic]

Russia sucks

[@SentientMattress531]

BRO THATS SO TRUE

[@jameshendrickson8159]

Russia pretending to pay pilots, pilots pretending to fly..

[@michaelratkewitz296]

I flew with them in 2013 from Havana to Moscow. Touchdown was so smooth I didn’t even notice that we landed. In comparison with a lot of airlines out there Aeroflot is now a really good airline. But after watching that Superjet crash, that happened a couple of years ago in Moscow I started to thiat, that nobody can really predict the future. The crash you’re talking about in this video is just plain stupidity, though

[@helianthe3457]

This fuels my very specific fear of flying with aeroflot (When I was a kid we got into terrible turbulences and the oxygen masks fell, and my mother was convinced we were going to die that day).

[@marekdomanskimovies5392]

If pilot was from Russia, that's explained everything. Normal healthy people will never understand they state of mind. So don't even try because is no point.

[@fawfulfan]

This right here is the exact same Soviet arrogance that caused Chernobyl.

[@holorock5290]

I cant imagine doing a dare with something as important as this

[@TylerKline69]

I remember when you were a small channel! Thousands of likes on just COMMENTS? So happy to see it, great work.

[@gordoncomstock2459]

The craziness of behaviour sometimes makes you wonder how mankind is still here. " And today out of the square window children we can see... ah shit Trees!"