Mayday
S05E09 Mixed Signals (Birgenair Flight 301)
On February 6, 1996, Birgenair Flight 301 prepares for its journey from Puerto Plata to Frankfurt. As the aircraft takes off, the captain notices that his airspeed indicator (ASI) is malfunctioning, while the co-pilot's ASI displays the correct speed. Misunderstanding the situation, the pilots mistakenly conclude that both ASIs are faulty, resulting in a tragic loss of control. The aircraft ultimately plunges into the Atlantic Ocean, claiming the lives of all 13 crew members and 176 passengers aboard. Investigations later revealed that a wasp had built a nest in one of the pitot tubes, which had been left uncovered during the plane's prolonged stay at the airport.
Season 5 Episodes
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10
Explosive Evidence (Air India Flight 182)
Behind Closed Doors (American Airlines Flight 96 and Turkish Airlines Flight 981)
Southern Storm (Southern Airways Flight 242)
Dead Weight (Air Midwest Flight 5481)
Invisible Killer (Delta Air Lines Flight 191)
Gimli Glider (Air Canada Flight 143)
Fanning the Flames (South African Airways Flight 295)
Fatal Distraction (Eastern Airlines Flight 401)
Mixed Signals (Birgenair Flight 301)
Phantom Strike (Gol Transportes Aéreos Flight 1907)