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Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:06,106 --> 00:00:07,407 FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Ladies and gentlemen, 2 00:00:07,407 --> 00:00:08,441 we are starting our approach. 3 00:00:08,441 --> 00:00:09,676 FLIGHT CREWMAN: We lost both engines. 4 00:00:09,676 --> 00:00:10,777 [inaudible]. 5 00:00:10,777 --> 00:00:11,678 Emergency descent. FLIGHT CREWMAN: Mayday! 6 00:00:11,678 --> 00:00:12,912 Mayday! 7 00:00:12,912 --> 00:00:14,914 Brace for impact! 8 00:00:18,385 --> 00:00:20,387 He's going to crash! 9 00:00:33,333 --> 00:00:36,870 NARRATOR: Avianca flight 52 is in trouble. 10 00:00:36,870 --> 00:00:38,371 The crew is exhausted. 11 00:00:38,371 --> 00:00:41,841 They're over New York City and almost out of fuel. 12 00:00:41,841 --> 00:00:42,776 Are we clear to land, no? 13 00:00:42,776 --> 00:00:43,576 Yes, sir. 14 00:00:43,576 --> 00:00:44,811 We are clear to land. 15 00:00:44,811 --> 00:00:46,079 Tell me things louder because I'm not hearing it. 16 00:00:46,079 --> 00:00:47,647 NARRATOR: They're cleared to land. 17 00:00:47,647 --> 00:00:49,616 Soon the nightmare will be over. 18 00:00:49,616 --> 00:00:50,417 Gear down. 19 00:00:50,417 --> 00:00:51,518 Glide slope! 20 00:00:51,518 --> 00:00:54,020 Sync rate, 500 feet. 21 00:00:54,020 --> 00:00:55,822 NARRATOR: The captain desperately searches for 22 00:00:55,822 --> 00:00:57,557 the runway at Kennedy Airport. 23 00:00:57,557 --> 00:00:58,391 Lights! 24 00:00:58,391 --> 00:01:00,527 NARRATOR: But he can't find it. 25 00:01:00,527 --> 00:01:01,761 The runway, where is it? 26 00:01:01,761 --> 00:01:02,695 I don't see it. 27 00:01:02,695 --> 00:01:04,330 I don't see it. 28 00:01:04,330 --> 00:01:06,933 NARRATOR: Now, they're battling violent wind shear. 29 00:01:06,933 --> 00:01:08,001 This is the wind shear. 30 00:01:08,001 --> 00:01:09,469 NARRATOR: They're going to crash. 31 00:01:09,469 --> 00:01:10,470 Give me the landing gear up. 32 00:01:10,470 --> 00:01:12,839 Landing gear up! 33 00:01:12,839 --> 00:01:15,842 NARRATOR: The plane has hardly a drop of fuel left. 34 00:01:15,842 --> 00:01:16,943 They cannot land. 35 00:01:16,943 --> 00:01:20,213 [crying] 36 00:01:21,648 --> 00:01:26,719 Flight 52 is about to crash somewhere over New York. 37 00:01:26,719 --> 00:01:28,521 How could that happen? 38 00:01:28,521 --> 00:01:31,925 Even the world's finest aircraft detectives will never 39 00:01:31,925 --> 00:01:33,626 agree about who is to blame. 40 00:01:33,626 --> 00:01:37,363 Southwest of Kennedy Airport, with a track brought up-- 41 00:01:37,363 --> 00:01:40,667 [sirens] 42 00:01:40,667 --> 00:01:43,269 106 to Main Street in Oyster Bay. 43 00:01:47,607 --> 00:01:51,911 NARRATOR: January 25, 1990. 44 00:01:51,911 --> 00:01:53,980 Air traffic controllers are nervously 45 00:01:53,980 --> 00:01:56,583 tracking a massive low-pressure system approaching 46 00:01:56,583 --> 00:01:57,884 America's northeast coast. 47 00:02:01,654 --> 00:02:03,790 There was a system moving through the Great Lakes, 48 00:02:03,790 --> 00:02:05,058 moving east. 49 00:02:05,058 --> 00:02:07,861 There were a couple of other systems converging, 50 00:02:07,861 --> 00:02:10,196 and a lot of times they'll converge in the New York area 51 00:02:10,196 --> 00:02:12,098 there, and the whole Northeast will go down. 52 00:02:17,937 --> 00:02:19,973 NARRATOR: The weather is already near the safe minimum 53 00:02:19,973 --> 00:02:22,242 to land a plane. 54 00:02:22,242 --> 00:02:25,178 Flights will have to be canceled or delayed. 55 00:02:25,178 --> 00:02:27,347 The terminals will be choked with thousands 56 00:02:27,347 --> 00:02:28,715 of angry passengers. 57 00:02:39,325 --> 00:02:42,495 Despite the terrible weather, the air traffic managers 58 00:02:42,495 --> 00:02:45,131 in Washington DC order controllers 59 00:02:45,131 --> 00:02:49,869 at Kennedy Airport in New York to set a high landing rate. 60 00:02:49,869 --> 00:02:50,970 We have some-- 61 00:02:50,970 --> 00:02:52,338 NARRATOR: Air travel is vital, and they're 62 00:02:52,338 --> 00:02:54,908 under tremendous pressure to delay or cancel 63 00:02:54,908 --> 00:02:57,310 as few flights as possible. 64 00:02:57,310 --> 00:02:59,746 There's pressure because that's the business they're in. 65 00:02:59,746 --> 00:03:02,649 The business is moving passengers from A to B. 66 00:03:02,649 --> 00:03:04,017 That's what the airlines are paid, 67 00:03:04,017 --> 00:03:08,521 and the controllers are paid to help that work. 68 00:03:08,521 --> 00:03:09,722 Hey JFK, I need-- 69 00:03:09,722 --> 00:03:11,858 NARRATOR: Washington DC managers pressure New York 70 00:03:11,858 --> 00:03:14,360 to land 33 aircraft per hour. 71 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,697 Because of the winds, we don't like the rate of 33 an hour. 72 00:03:17,697 --> 00:03:19,899 NARRATOR: Scores of overseas flights 73 00:03:19,899 --> 00:03:23,102 with thousands of passengers are already on their way. 74 00:03:23,102 --> 00:03:25,238 They have to land somehow. 75 00:03:25,238 --> 00:03:26,739 What are we going do with foreign traffic? 76 00:03:26,739 --> 00:03:28,775 We'll just give them airborne holds. 77 00:03:28,775 --> 00:03:30,076 Well, we know we're going to have 78 00:03:30,076 --> 00:03:31,911 wind shear and missed approaches, 79 00:03:31,911 --> 00:03:34,847 and this is going to be a very bad day. 80 00:03:34,847 --> 00:03:37,417 And that set the scenario at about 7:00 or 8:00 81 00:03:37,417 --> 00:03:40,887 in the morning before we left Medellin. 82 00:03:40,887 --> 00:03:43,456 At 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning, the scenario was set 83 00:03:43,456 --> 00:03:45,959 for this accident to happen. 84 00:03:45,959 --> 00:03:49,395 NARRATOR: But within the next few hours, fog and low clouds 85 00:03:49,395 --> 00:03:52,966 close the main runway at JFK. 86 00:03:52,966 --> 00:03:55,702 Whatever their bosses say, the controllers 87 00:03:55,702 --> 00:03:59,072 won't be able to land 33 aircraft an hour. 88 00:03:59,072 --> 00:04:02,008 [music playing] 89 00:04:08,414 --> 00:04:11,651 2,400 miles to the south in Colombia, 90 00:04:11,651 --> 00:04:15,088 it's a warm, cloudless day. 91 00:04:15,088 --> 00:04:17,357 Avianca Flight 52 is now boarding 92 00:04:17,357 --> 00:04:19,158 passengers for New York. 93 00:04:19,158 --> 00:04:21,227 Among them, Miriam and Luis Montoya 94 00:04:21,227 --> 00:04:22,695 and their two young daughters. 95 00:04:24,964 --> 00:04:26,232 [speaking spanish] 96 00:04:26,232 --> 00:04:27,667 INTERPRETER: I remember during that day in the morning, 97 00:04:27,667 --> 00:04:29,769 before we boarded the flight, I talked 98 00:04:29,769 --> 00:04:31,037 to a friend that was going to pick us 99 00:04:31,037 --> 00:04:32,672 up at the airport in New York. 100 00:04:32,672 --> 00:04:34,774 He told us the weather conditions were bad. 101 00:04:34,774 --> 00:04:37,810 The temperature was very low, and it was rainy, 102 00:04:37,810 --> 00:04:39,646 and it was going to be foggy. 103 00:04:39,646 --> 00:04:41,514 NARRATOR: After a short business trip, 104 00:04:41,514 --> 00:04:45,585 Nestor Zarate is traveling home to New York. 105 00:04:45,585 --> 00:04:48,855 I received a telephone call telling me that if I could be 106 00:04:48,855 --> 00:04:52,792 in the airport in a half an hour and not ask any questions 107 00:04:52,792 --> 00:04:56,929 or request anything, I would get on the direct flight 108 00:04:56,929 --> 00:04:57,697 to New York. 109 00:05:02,035 --> 00:05:05,371 NARRATOR: In the cockpit, flight engineer Matias Moyano 110 00:05:05,371 --> 00:05:10,510 monitors the loading of over 13,000 pounds of fuel 111 00:05:10,510 --> 00:05:13,246 for a total of 80,000 pounds-- 112 00:05:13,246 --> 00:05:17,984 enough for the journey, plus an extra two hours' flying time. 113 00:05:22,622 --> 00:05:25,725 Avianca 052 heavy, request clearance for takeoff, 114 00:05:25,725 --> 00:05:28,728 runway 11. 115 00:05:28,728 --> 00:05:31,230 NARRATOR: Just after 3:00 in the afternoon, 116 00:05:31,230 --> 00:05:35,201 Avianca 52 leaves Medellin with its maximum allowable fuel 117 00:05:35,201 --> 00:05:36,903 load. 118 00:05:36,903 --> 00:05:40,707 The Colombian airliner with 158 passengers and crew 119 00:05:40,707 --> 00:05:41,507 heads north. 120 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:51,384 By early evening, deteriorating weather has made for appalling 121 00:05:51,384 --> 00:05:53,486 conditions at JFK. 122 00:05:53,486 --> 00:05:56,022 Continue to the left, heading 2-3-0 vectors 123 00:05:56,022 --> 00:05:57,590 and holding for Cameron again. 124 00:05:57,590 --> 00:06:00,193 NARRATOR: Unable to turn back overseas flights, 125 00:06:00,193 --> 00:06:04,097 controllers direct air traffic to circle and wait to land. 126 00:06:04,097 --> 00:06:05,631 So turn left. 127 00:06:05,631 --> 00:06:08,534 There is a wind shear alert on final at 1,500 feet. 128 00:06:08,534 --> 00:06:09,469 Turn left, heading-- 129 00:06:09,469 --> 00:06:10,636 NARRATOR: They worked frantically 130 00:06:10,636 --> 00:06:12,605 to keep track of the growing number of aircraft 131 00:06:12,605 --> 00:06:14,107 circling over New York. 132 00:06:14,107 --> 00:06:16,476 American Airlines 251, you are clear to land on Runway 37. 133 00:06:16,476 --> 00:06:19,645 When Mother Nature gets involved, problems develop. 134 00:06:19,645 --> 00:06:21,080 The tension gets higher. 135 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:22,081 The pressure gets higher. 136 00:06:22,081 --> 00:06:24,217 Decisions become more critical. 137 00:06:29,055 --> 00:06:33,559 NARRATOR: JFK airport now only has one runway for landing, 138 00:06:33,559 --> 00:06:36,996 and aircraft or queuing up to use it. 139 00:06:36,996 --> 00:06:39,966 In the near blackout conditions, several planes 140 00:06:39,966 --> 00:06:43,236 have to abort their landings, which only adds to the delays. 141 00:06:47,073 --> 00:06:50,543 On Flight 52, the crew knows none of this. 142 00:06:50,543 --> 00:06:53,546 They neither receive nor request the weather for New York 143 00:06:53,546 --> 00:06:57,083 or for their alternate airport, Boston. 144 00:06:57,083 --> 00:07:01,154 In this case, Avianca 52 had the capability of calling 145 00:07:01,154 --> 00:07:03,456 several different stations or could 146 00:07:03,456 --> 00:07:06,058 have called their own dispatch operation in Miami 147 00:07:06,058 --> 00:07:07,927 and got an update on the weather. 148 00:07:07,927 --> 00:07:10,363 We don't really have any evidence that they checked 149 00:07:10,363 --> 00:07:13,833 with anyone to get the updated weather for JFK 150 00:07:13,833 --> 00:07:16,068 and their alternate, Boston. 151 00:07:16,068 --> 00:07:18,437 It's inconceivable to me that someone who 152 00:07:18,437 --> 00:07:20,706 had a responsibility of other people's lives 153 00:07:20,706 --> 00:07:23,709 would fly into a deteriorating condition 154 00:07:23,709 --> 00:07:30,583 without checking about A, do we have a way out of this place? 155 00:07:30,583 --> 00:07:32,919 NARRATOR: Avianca 52 enters the airspace 156 00:07:32,919 --> 00:07:35,321 near Norfolk, Virginia. 157 00:07:35,321 --> 00:07:38,157 After four hours in the air, New York City is 158 00:07:38,157 --> 00:07:39,826 now less than 40 minutes away. 159 00:07:43,963 --> 00:07:46,899 51-year-old Captain Laureano Caviedes 160 00:07:46,899 --> 00:07:52,104 is a seasoned pilot who's flown with Avianca for 27 years. 161 00:07:52,104 --> 00:07:54,907 But his English is poor. 162 00:07:54,907 --> 00:07:57,310 All communications with air traffic control 163 00:07:57,310 --> 00:07:59,946 will be handled by the 28-year-old co-pilot Mauricio 164 00:07:59,946 --> 00:08:00,746 Klotz. 165 00:08:05,885 --> 00:08:09,222 Flight engineer Matias Moyano is experienced, 166 00:08:09,222 --> 00:08:12,425 but like co-pilot Klotz, he has only four months 167 00:08:12,425 --> 00:08:16,062 of flight time in the 707. 168 00:08:16,062 --> 00:08:18,197 They were a highly-experienced flight crew who had 169 00:08:18,197 --> 00:08:22,301 been into New York several times previously 170 00:08:22,301 --> 00:08:23,769 on behalf of Avianca. 171 00:08:23,769 --> 00:08:26,339 So they were familiar with the route and the procedures. 172 00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:27,974 Washington, good evening. 173 00:08:27,974 --> 00:08:31,544 Avianca 052 heavy, flight level 3-7-0. 174 00:08:31,544 --> 00:08:35,047 Avianca 052 heavy, Washington Center, roger. 175 00:08:35,047 --> 00:08:39,318 Avianca 052, I'd like you to make a right 360-degree turn. 176 00:08:39,318 --> 00:08:41,287 And I need you to get a pencil ready for holding 177 00:08:41,287 --> 00:08:43,222 instructions at Norfolk. 178 00:08:43,222 --> 00:08:45,758 OK, 360-degree right turn at Norfolk. 179 00:08:45,758 --> 00:08:47,627 Avianca 052 heavy. 180 00:08:47,627 --> 00:08:52,331 Hold south on 174 with right turns in 20-mile legs. 181 00:08:52,331 --> 00:08:56,102 NARRATOR: Flight 52's troubles are about to begin. 182 00:08:56,102 --> 00:09:00,039 It's diverted out over the Atlantic Ocean near Norfolk 183 00:09:00,039 --> 00:09:03,242 and placed in a holding pattern. 184 00:09:03,242 --> 00:09:06,512 Here, the aircraft will fly an elliptical pattern 185 00:09:06,512 --> 00:09:07,546 until further notice. 186 00:09:10,383 --> 00:09:12,885 The pilots don't know about the weather ahead, 187 00:09:12,885 --> 00:09:15,688 but with enough fuel for more than two hours of flying, 188 00:09:15,688 --> 00:09:17,023 there's no cause for alarm. 189 00:09:28,267 --> 00:09:30,736 The Northeast Corridor of the United States 190 00:09:30,736 --> 00:09:34,607 is one of the most congested airspaces in the world. 191 00:09:34,607 --> 00:09:37,443 Incoming traffic from overseas is routinely 192 00:09:37,443 --> 00:09:39,879 directed through a pipeline of controllers 193 00:09:39,879 --> 00:09:42,315 before receiving clearance to land at one of the New 194 00:09:42,315 --> 00:09:45,284 York area's major airports-- 195 00:09:45,284 --> 00:09:47,420 JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark. 196 00:09:51,023 --> 00:09:54,694 Tonight, Avianca 52 will come under the direction of more 197 00:09:54,694 --> 00:09:58,864 than six controllers trying to get the aircraft, 198 00:09:58,864 --> 00:10:01,867 now circling over New York, safely down on the ground. 199 00:10:01,867 --> 00:10:03,135 We just got off the line. 200 00:10:03,135 --> 00:10:04,904 It's indefinite holding at this time. 201 00:10:04,904 --> 00:10:07,673 Turn left in 0-8-0. 202 00:10:07,673 --> 00:10:09,608 NARRATOR: While air traffic control tries 203 00:10:09,608 --> 00:10:12,745 to cope with an increasing backlog of flights, 204 00:10:12,745 --> 00:10:15,915 Avianca flight 52 circles for 19 minutes 205 00:10:15,915 --> 00:10:19,585 over the Virginia coast, waiting to continue to New York. 206 00:10:22,855 --> 00:10:26,826 Avianca 052, expedite descent through level 3-3. 207 00:10:26,826 --> 00:10:29,929 Just leave flight level 3-3-0 within three minutes, please. 208 00:10:29,929 --> 00:10:31,297 OK. 209 00:10:31,297 --> 00:10:36,469 We'll leave 3-3-0 within three minutes, Avianca 052 heavy. 210 00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:40,306 NARRATOR: The Avianca jet is on its way to New York, at last. 211 00:10:40,306 --> 00:10:43,409 But they have no idea of the trouble that awaits them. 212 00:10:49,048 --> 00:10:53,019 Avianca flight 52 is on its final approach to New York, 213 00:10:53,019 --> 00:10:56,990 unaware that conditions at JFK are barely safe for landing. 214 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:02,528 It's pitch black with heavy mist, rain, 215 00:11:02,528 --> 00:11:04,097 and sudden, violent winds. 216 00:11:06,899 --> 00:11:10,570 The plane has almost used up the fuel planned for the journey, 217 00:11:10,570 --> 00:11:14,240 and will soon start eating into its reserves. 218 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:17,110 The crew considers diverting to their alternate airport 219 00:11:17,110 --> 00:11:21,280 in Boston, just 210 miles from New York. 220 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:25,084 Washington Center, Avianca 052 heavy. 221 00:11:25,084 --> 00:11:26,519 Avianca 052 heavy. 222 00:11:26,519 --> 00:11:27,754 Go ahead. 223 00:11:27,754 --> 00:11:30,289 Do you have any information about delays to Boston? 224 00:11:30,289 --> 00:11:32,925 NARRATOR: The Washington controller asks his assistant 225 00:11:32,925 --> 00:11:35,261 to check on the conditions at Boston, 226 00:11:35,261 --> 00:11:38,197 but he gets distracted, juggling other aircraft, 227 00:11:38,197 --> 00:11:40,900 and he forgets all about Avianca's request. 228 00:11:43,870 --> 00:11:48,441 While flight 52 is left waiting for an answer that never comes, 229 00:11:48,441 --> 00:11:53,146 their precious fuel supply is slowly draining away. 230 00:11:53,146 --> 00:11:56,215 Ask him about Boston again. 231 00:11:56,215 --> 00:11:57,884 Did you ask about delays at Boston, 232 00:11:57,884 --> 00:11:59,519 or are we going to approach Kennedy? 233 00:11:59,519 --> 00:12:00,987 OK, Avianca 052. 234 00:12:00,987 --> 00:12:03,589 It looks as though New York's center may have to hold you 235 00:12:03,589 --> 00:12:06,292 for possibly up to 30 minutes. 236 00:12:06,292 --> 00:12:09,328 OK, Avianca 052, I've been advised Boston is open 237 00:12:09,328 --> 00:12:10,897 and accepting traffic if you do need 238 00:12:10,897 --> 00:12:12,532 that as an alternate airport. 239 00:12:12,532 --> 00:12:14,667 OK, standby a minute. 240 00:12:14,667 --> 00:12:17,203 NARRATOR: Flight engineer Moyano begins to calculate 241 00:12:17,203 --> 00:12:20,006 how much fuel they'll have after an additional 30 242 00:12:20,006 --> 00:12:21,941 minutes of holding. 243 00:12:21,941 --> 00:12:25,845 Even before they can respond, Washington control directs them 244 00:12:25,845 --> 00:12:28,548 to another holding location. 245 00:12:28,548 --> 00:12:30,750 Avianca 052 heavy. 246 00:12:30,750 --> 00:12:32,585 Make a right turn now to intercept 247 00:12:32,585 --> 00:12:34,687 the Cameron two arrival. 248 00:12:34,687 --> 00:12:35,855 Cleared on course. 249 00:12:35,855 --> 00:12:39,492 Maintain flight level 1-niner-0. 250 00:12:39,492 --> 00:12:42,895 NARRATOR: Flight 52 is now off the New Jersey coast in an area 251 00:12:42,895 --> 00:12:47,166 known as Cameron, less than 45 miles from Kennedy Airport, 252 00:12:47,166 --> 00:12:50,736 but it seems as far away as ever. 253 00:12:50,736 --> 00:12:52,438 During all those holding times, 254 00:12:52,438 --> 00:12:56,075 I was praying and trying to see where we're going to land. 255 00:12:56,075 --> 00:12:59,445 I mean, when are we going to be on the ground? 256 00:12:59,445 --> 00:13:03,316 I don't want to be here anymore. 257 00:13:03,316 --> 00:13:05,585 CAPTAIN: Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain. 258 00:13:05,585 --> 00:13:07,987 I apologize for the delay, but it appears 259 00:13:07,987 --> 00:13:09,222 we're going to be holding as we wait 260 00:13:09,222 --> 00:13:11,657 our turn to land in New York. 261 00:13:11,657 --> 00:13:14,026 NARRATOR: It will be the crew's last communication 262 00:13:14,026 --> 00:13:16,362 with the passengers as flight 52's 263 00:13:16,362 --> 00:13:18,464 situation goes from bad to worse. 264 00:13:21,167 --> 00:13:23,970 Avianca 052, descend and maintain 1-4,000-- 265 00:13:23,970 --> 00:13:25,371 NARRATOR: It's handed over to the New 266 00:13:25,371 --> 00:13:29,342 York controllers, who, even on a good day, can be intimidating. 267 00:13:29,342 --> 00:13:31,043 And today is not a good day. 268 00:13:31,043 --> 00:13:32,078 Avianca 052-- 269 00:13:32,078 --> 00:13:33,846 NARRATOR: There are up to 39 aircraft 270 00:13:33,846 --> 00:13:36,449 trying to land and dozens more on the ground 271 00:13:36,449 --> 00:13:39,085 waiting to take off. 272 00:13:39,085 --> 00:13:42,121 Tired and frustrated, the crew of Avianca 52 273 00:13:42,121 --> 00:13:45,191 continues to circle the crowded airspace over New York 274 00:13:45,191 --> 00:13:46,993 while they wait for clearance to land. 275 00:13:49,529 --> 00:13:51,831 After more than five hours in the air, 276 00:13:51,831 --> 00:13:54,634 Luis Montoya is anxious to get his wife and two 277 00:13:54,634 --> 00:13:56,402 young daughters on the ground and back 278 00:13:56,402 --> 00:13:58,905 to their home in Queens. 279 00:13:58,905 --> 00:14:02,808 [speaking spanish] 280 00:14:02,808 --> 00:14:05,111 INTERPRETER: As the flight started to prolong, 281 00:14:05,111 --> 00:14:07,246 we started to feel uneasy. 282 00:14:07,246 --> 00:14:10,016 My wife was carrying the baby at all times, 283 00:14:10,016 --> 00:14:12,285 and we were wondering what could be happening. 284 00:14:12,285 --> 00:14:14,921 After all, they weren't giving us any information, 285 00:14:14,921 --> 00:14:16,822 and most people began to feel nervous. 286 00:14:20,793 --> 00:14:22,094 NARRATOR: New York Center finally 287 00:14:22,094 --> 00:14:24,530 gives the crew of Avianca 52 the message 288 00:14:24,530 --> 00:14:26,599 they've been waiting for. 289 00:14:26,599 --> 00:14:28,501 Avianca 052 heavy. 290 00:14:28,501 --> 00:14:30,236 AVR Kennedy is 2,400 feet. 291 00:14:30,236 --> 00:14:31,571 Can you accept an approach? 292 00:14:31,571 --> 00:14:33,806 That's an affirmative, sir. 293 00:14:33,806 --> 00:14:35,741 NARRATOR: They think they're finally in the clear. 294 00:14:35,741 --> 00:14:36,909 Avianca 052-- 295 00:14:36,909 --> 00:14:38,945 NARRATOR: Then calamity. 296 00:14:38,945 --> 00:14:41,047 We are passing 1-0-5. 297 00:14:41,047 --> 00:14:42,381 NARRATOR: The foul weather forces 298 00:14:42,381 --> 00:14:45,418 several aircraft ahead to abandon their landing attempts 299 00:14:45,418 --> 00:14:47,553 and try again. 300 00:14:47,553 --> 00:14:50,756 The controllers have bad news for the Colombian airliner. 301 00:14:50,756 --> 00:14:54,961 Avianca 052, continue to the left heading 2-3-0 vectors 302 00:14:54,961 --> 00:14:56,062 holding at Cameron again. 303 00:14:56,062 --> 00:14:57,630 NARRATOR: Another hold. 304 00:14:57,630 --> 00:14:58,664 OK. 305 00:14:58,664 --> 00:15:00,733 2-3-0 vectors for holding at Cameron. 306 00:15:03,736 --> 00:15:06,872 NARRATOR: They've been held up for 48 minutes near Norfolk, 307 00:15:06,872 --> 00:15:10,176 and then asked to circle for another 25 minutes 308 00:15:10,176 --> 00:15:15,114 only a few miles from the safety of JFK airport. 309 00:15:15,114 --> 00:15:17,917 They were progressively moving toward JFK, 310 00:15:17,917 --> 00:15:20,987 and they were held in the air for three times. 311 00:15:20,987 --> 00:15:24,357 This certainly would put some stress on the crew 312 00:15:24,357 --> 00:15:26,425 as to the fact, they want to go from A 313 00:15:26,425 --> 00:15:29,528 to B. They don't want to fly in a race track 314 00:15:29,528 --> 00:15:32,265 for an hour just holding. 315 00:15:32,265 --> 00:15:36,135 NARRATOR: 8:55 PM, 40 minutes before flight 52 316 00:15:36,135 --> 00:15:39,805 ends, the cockpit voice recorder captures a crew that seems 317 00:15:39,805 --> 00:15:43,576 resigned, or perhaps too timid to complain. 318 00:15:46,445 --> 00:15:50,650 Moments later, Avianca is given more unwelcome news. 319 00:15:50,650 --> 00:15:55,054 Avianca 052, expect for the clearance time 0-2-0-5. 320 00:15:55,054 --> 00:15:57,323 Expect for the clearance in 20 minutes. 321 00:15:57,323 --> 00:16:01,260 NARRATOR: Now the stress level on the cockpit begins to rise. 322 00:16:01,260 --> 00:16:05,798 0-2-0-5, well, I think we need priority. 323 00:16:05,798 --> 00:16:07,166 We are passing out of fuel. 324 00:16:07,166 --> 00:16:09,235 Avianca 052, roger. 325 00:16:09,235 --> 00:16:11,003 How long can you hold, and what is your alternate? 326 00:16:11,003 --> 00:16:11,804 OK. 327 00:16:11,804 --> 00:16:13,706 Standby a minute. 328 00:16:13,706 --> 00:16:15,074 NARRATOR: The flight engineer quickly 329 00:16:15,074 --> 00:16:18,978 calculates the remaining fuel. 330 00:16:18,978 --> 00:16:20,046 Yes sir. 331 00:16:20,046 --> 00:16:21,947 We'll be able to hold for five minutes. 332 00:16:21,947 --> 00:16:23,049 That's all we can do. 333 00:16:23,049 --> 00:16:24,417 Avianca 052, roger. 334 00:16:24,417 --> 00:16:25,651 And what's your alternate? 335 00:16:25,651 --> 00:16:29,255 It was Boston, but we can't do it now. 336 00:16:29,255 --> 00:16:30,656 We'll run out of fuel. 337 00:16:30,656 --> 00:16:35,628 Avianca 052, cleared to land at Kennedy via heading 0-4-0. 338 00:16:35,628 --> 00:16:38,798 Maintain 1-1,000 at speed 1-8-0. 339 00:16:38,798 --> 00:16:40,866 The Avianca crew, when they felt it, 340 00:16:40,866 --> 00:16:43,202 they were being handed off to an approach controller 341 00:16:43,202 --> 00:16:46,806 now and given a heading in a lower altitude. 342 00:16:46,806 --> 00:16:49,542 I'm sure in their minds, they thought, well, they even 343 00:16:49,542 --> 00:16:52,645 commented on a cockpit voice recorder, we're being handled, 344 00:16:52,645 --> 00:16:54,547 or we're being taken care of. 345 00:16:54,547 --> 00:16:57,049 Avianca 052 only has five more minutes in the hold. 346 00:16:57,049 --> 00:16:58,317 Are you going to be able to take them, 347 00:16:58,317 --> 00:17:00,386 or I'll send him off to his alternate? 348 00:17:00,386 --> 00:17:01,787 What is his speed now? 349 00:17:01,787 --> 00:17:03,122 I'm not sure, to be honest with you. 350 00:17:03,122 --> 00:17:04,290 Holding speed. 351 00:17:04,290 --> 00:17:06,759 Slow him to 180, and I'll take him. 352 00:17:06,759 --> 00:17:07,893 Say it again. 353 00:17:07,893 --> 00:17:11,430 Slow him to 1-8-0 knots, and I'll take him. 354 00:17:11,430 --> 00:17:13,399 NARRATOR: But in this critical handoff, 355 00:17:13,399 --> 00:17:16,302 there is no specific mention that Avianca 356 00:17:16,302 --> 00:17:17,536 is running out of fuel. 357 00:17:20,673 --> 00:17:24,177 Flight 52 has been handed off a third time. 358 00:17:24,177 --> 00:17:25,645 Descending to 7,000. 359 00:17:25,645 --> 00:17:27,346 Avianca 052 heavy. 360 00:17:27,346 --> 00:17:29,949 Avianca 052, before you go, there is a wind shear 361 00:17:29,949 --> 00:17:32,785 alert on final at 1,500 feet. 362 00:17:32,785 --> 00:17:35,555 The high-level wind shear was passed on early 363 00:17:35,555 --> 00:17:37,523 on, so he was aware of that. 364 00:17:37,523 --> 00:17:39,826 But the low-level wind shear below 500 feet 365 00:17:39,826 --> 00:17:42,829 was not passed on. 366 00:17:42,829 --> 00:17:44,897 NARRATOR: Throughout the flight from Colombia, 367 00:17:44,897 --> 00:17:48,601 the plane's autopilot has been unusable. 368 00:17:48,601 --> 00:17:52,038 Reported after the last flight, Avianca maintenance 369 00:17:52,038 --> 00:17:55,274 failed to fix it. 370 00:17:55,274 --> 00:17:58,077 After more than six hours of flying manually, 371 00:17:58,077 --> 00:18:00,313 the physical and mental stress is taking 372 00:18:00,313 --> 00:18:03,850 a toll on Captain Caviedes. 373 00:18:03,850 --> 00:18:05,484 To me, it's inconceivable someone 374 00:18:05,484 --> 00:18:10,489 would have to fly a Boeing 707 without an autopilot. 375 00:18:10,489 --> 00:18:14,126 I mean that's a high workload in smooth air. 376 00:18:14,126 --> 00:18:15,294 NARRATOR: After more than an hour 377 00:18:15,294 --> 00:18:18,431 and 17 minutes waiting for clearance to land, 378 00:18:18,431 --> 00:18:21,667 the crew of flight 52 believes controllers on the ground 379 00:18:21,667 --> 00:18:24,237 are aware of their fuel emergency 380 00:18:24,237 --> 00:18:27,106 and are clearing the 707 for a priority landing. 381 00:18:30,276 --> 00:18:33,045 In the cabin, the flight attendants and passengers 382 00:18:33,045 --> 00:18:36,883 have no idea that their plane is dangerously low on fuel. 383 00:18:40,152 --> 00:18:42,521 Then the go-around procedure is stating that the power 384 00:18:42,521 --> 00:18:43,856 be applied slowly to avoid-- 385 00:18:43,856 --> 00:18:46,192 NARRATOR: In the cockpit, the crew now hastily discusses 386 00:18:46,192 --> 00:18:48,394 the go-around procedure-- 387 00:18:48,394 --> 00:18:50,529 what to do if they can't find the runway 388 00:18:50,529 --> 00:18:52,832 through the fog and low clouds and have 389 00:18:52,832 --> 00:18:54,834 to go around a second time. 390 00:18:54,834 --> 00:18:56,202 It's standard procedure. 391 00:18:56,202 --> 00:18:59,705 Power be applied slowly and to avoid rapid accelerations, 392 00:18:59,705 --> 00:19:03,442 and to have a minimum of nose-up attitude. 393 00:19:03,442 --> 00:19:04,677 To maintain what? 394 00:19:04,677 --> 00:19:05,611 Minimum. 395 00:19:05,611 --> 00:19:07,413 Minimum nose-up attitude. 396 00:19:07,413 --> 00:19:08,581 That means-- 397 00:19:08,581 --> 00:19:10,116 NARRATOR: Flight engineer Moyano is concerned 398 00:19:10,116 --> 00:19:12,818 that if the captain were to pull up the plane's nose too 399 00:19:12,818 --> 00:19:14,754 sharply, the remaining fuel would 400 00:19:14,754 --> 00:19:18,190 slosh to the back of a tank and cause the engines to stop. 401 00:19:18,190 --> 00:19:21,594 [inaudible] fuel during the go-around. 402 00:19:21,594 --> 00:19:23,562 Avianca, descend and maintain-- 403 00:19:23,562 --> 00:19:25,231 descend and maintain 3,000. 404 00:19:25,231 --> 00:19:28,134 Descend and maintain 3,000, Avianca 052 heavy. 405 00:19:28,134 --> 00:19:30,503 Avianca 052 heavy, contact Kennedy 406 00:19:30,503 --> 00:19:33,706 tower 1-1-9-0.1 Good day. 407 00:19:33,706 --> 00:19:36,709 NARRATOR: Only minutes before landing, flight 52 408 00:19:36,709 --> 00:19:39,211 is handed off to a JFK tower controller 409 00:19:39,211 --> 00:19:42,248 whose shift is about to end. 410 00:19:42,248 --> 00:19:45,084 Avianca 052 heavy, Kennedy tower 22 left. 411 00:19:45,084 --> 00:19:47,186 You are number three following 7-2-7 412 00:19:47,186 --> 00:19:49,922 traffic on a niner-mile final. 413 00:19:49,922 --> 00:19:51,557 Avianca 052 heavy, roger. 414 00:19:58,731 --> 00:19:59,765 I was so happy. 415 00:19:59,765 --> 00:20:01,701 For me, it was like a joy. 416 00:20:01,701 --> 00:20:04,537 We're going to land soon, and this is going to be end. 417 00:20:04,537 --> 00:20:07,406 Avianca 052, what is your air speed? 418 00:20:07,406 --> 00:20:10,376 Avianca 052, 1-4-0 knots. 419 00:20:10,376 --> 00:20:13,479 Avianca 052, can you increase your airspeed 1-0 knots? 420 00:20:13,479 --> 00:20:14,880 1-0? 421 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:17,283 OK, 1-0 knots, increasing. 422 00:20:17,283 --> 00:20:18,084 Increase. 423 00:20:18,084 --> 00:20:19,018 Increase. 424 00:20:19,018 --> 00:20:20,252 10 knots more. 425 00:20:20,252 --> 00:20:22,555 Tell me things louder, because I'm not hearing it. 426 00:20:22,555 --> 00:20:24,523 Lower the gear. 427 00:20:24,523 --> 00:20:27,126 Gear down. 428 00:20:27,126 --> 00:20:29,762 Avianca 052, 2-2 left. 429 00:20:29,762 --> 00:20:32,631 Win 1-niner-0 at 2-0 cleared to land. 430 00:20:32,631 --> 00:20:35,034 Clear to land, Avianca 052 heavy. 431 00:20:35,034 --> 00:20:36,535 Wind check please? 432 00:20:36,535 --> 00:20:39,705 1-niner-0 at 2-0. 433 00:20:39,705 --> 00:20:42,141 NARRATOR: With the weather deteriorating and flying 434 00:20:42,141 --> 00:20:44,910 on fumes, the crew of flight 52 will 435 00:20:44,910 --> 00:20:49,015 have only one chance of getting their 149 passengers safely 436 00:20:49,015 --> 00:20:50,049 on the ground. 437 00:20:50,049 --> 00:20:51,317 Stand by. 438 00:20:51,317 --> 00:20:55,054 Flaps 50, landing checklist complete. 439 00:20:55,054 --> 00:20:59,191 Flight engineer had to know they were out of fuel, 440 00:20:59,191 --> 00:21:02,161 and when they came in for their first approach, 441 00:21:02,161 --> 00:21:04,363 it was time for the flight engineer to say, 442 00:21:04,363 --> 00:21:07,900 this is the only approach we're going to be able to make. 443 00:21:07,900 --> 00:21:08,768 And he didn't. 444 00:21:08,768 --> 00:21:09,802 Give me 50. 445 00:21:09,802 --> 00:21:11,570 Flaps 50 now. 446 00:21:11,570 --> 00:21:12,671 All set for landing. 447 00:21:12,671 --> 00:21:14,640 Standing by for lights. 448 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:16,575 Slightly below glide slope. 449 00:21:16,575 --> 00:21:18,544 1,000 feet above field. 450 00:21:18,544 --> 00:21:20,946 Instruments cross-checked, slightly below. 451 00:21:20,946 --> 00:21:22,081 Standby for lights. 452 00:21:22,081 --> 00:21:23,282 Standby. 453 00:21:23,282 --> 00:21:26,419 The wind is slightly from the left, 190 with 20, 454 00:21:26,419 --> 00:21:29,655 below glide slope. 455 00:21:29,655 --> 00:21:32,691 NARRATOR: With about 10 minutes of fuel remaining and just two 456 00:21:32,691 --> 00:21:36,128 miles from the runway, flight 52 flies 457 00:21:36,128 --> 00:21:39,231 into violent wind shear forcing the crew 458 00:21:39,231 --> 00:21:41,634 to slow the plane down. 459 00:21:41,634 --> 00:21:44,737 They were getting like 60 knots of wind on the nose, 460 00:21:44,737 --> 00:21:47,406 and then as they descended on down through about 500 feet 461 00:21:47,406 --> 00:21:51,677 to the ground, they were down to 20 knots. 462 00:21:51,677 --> 00:21:56,182 So that's, 40 knot change and 1,000 feet of elevation. 463 00:21:56,182 --> 00:21:58,384 That's a lot. 464 00:21:58,384 --> 00:21:59,919 This is the wind shear. 465 00:21:59,919 --> 00:22:01,887 NARRATOR: The wind changes direction. 466 00:22:01,887 --> 00:22:05,524 It's pressing them down toward the ground. 467 00:22:05,524 --> 00:22:06,459 Glide slope! 468 00:22:06,459 --> 00:22:07,493 Glide slope. 469 00:22:07,493 --> 00:22:09,128 Sink rate, 500 feet. 470 00:22:09,128 --> 00:22:10,463 NARRATOR: The captain desperately 471 00:22:10,463 --> 00:22:12,698 searches for the runway, but it's 472 00:22:12,698 --> 00:22:14,667 shrouded in low clouds and fog. 473 00:22:18,504 --> 00:22:20,072 Lights! 474 00:22:20,072 --> 00:22:21,607 The runway, where is it? 475 00:22:21,607 --> 00:22:22,608 I don't see it. 476 00:22:22,608 --> 00:22:23,809 I don't see it. 477 00:22:23,809 --> 00:22:25,478 NARRATOR: The plane's warning system is telling 478 00:22:25,478 --> 00:22:27,179 them they're about to crash. 479 00:22:27,179 --> 00:22:29,014 Pull up. 480 00:22:29,014 --> 00:22:32,885 [crying] 481 00:22:39,159 --> 00:22:40,293 Glide slope! 482 00:22:40,293 --> 00:22:42,562 Sink rate, 500 feet. 483 00:22:42,562 --> 00:22:44,531 NARRATOR: Just two miles from touchdown, 484 00:22:44,531 --> 00:22:48,702 flight 52 has been caught in violent wind shear. 485 00:22:48,702 --> 00:22:52,339 Captain Caviedes supplies full throttle, burning up more 486 00:22:52,339 --> 00:22:54,841 of the plane's precious fuel. 487 00:22:54,841 --> 00:22:55,842 Give me the landing gear up. 488 00:22:55,842 --> 00:22:56,710 Landing gear up! 489 00:23:05,652 --> 00:23:08,221 The airplane was about 200 feet above the ground, 490 00:23:08,221 --> 00:23:10,523 about two miles from the runway, which 491 00:23:10,523 --> 00:23:13,259 was well below the glide slope, and very dangerous. 492 00:23:13,259 --> 00:23:16,563 So the airplane almost crashed on its first approach. 493 00:23:16,563 --> 00:23:20,333 When you get a missed approach, 494 00:23:20,333 --> 00:23:24,504 now it changes the whole ball game. 495 00:23:24,504 --> 00:23:26,539 Request another traffic pattern. 496 00:23:26,539 --> 00:23:27,974 Executing a missed approach. 497 00:23:27,974 --> 00:23:30,010 Avianca 052 heavy. 498 00:23:30,010 --> 00:23:33,346 The operation of pulling the plane up in the missed approach 499 00:23:33,346 --> 00:23:35,915 was a very violent one. 500 00:23:35,915 --> 00:23:42,422 It was a very steep climb, so we were all thrown back by gravity 501 00:23:42,422 --> 00:23:44,024 towards the back of our seats. 502 00:23:44,024 --> 00:23:45,091 Something's going on here. 503 00:23:45,091 --> 00:23:47,494 Anything-- we're going to crash. 504 00:23:47,494 --> 00:23:48,595 This is terrible. 505 00:23:48,595 --> 00:23:52,766 I mean, we start praying and then I pass out. 506 00:23:52,766 --> 00:23:55,969 I couldn't handle it anymore. 507 00:23:55,969 --> 00:23:58,571 NARRATOR: As captain Caviedes pulls back hard to climb 508 00:23:58,571 --> 00:24:03,109 to safety, the 707's remaining fuel sloshes back 509 00:24:03,109 --> 00:24:04,477 and away from the fuel pumps. 510 00:24:07,213 --> 00:24:09,549 Flight 52's violent climb to safety 511 00:24:09,549 --> 00:24:12,152 frightens and infuriates the passengers. 512 00:24:12,152 --> 00:24:15,121 [angry non-english speech] 513 00:24:19,926 --> 00:24:21,261 [speaking spanish] 514 00:24:21,261 --> 00:24:23,363 INTERPRETER: My baby Daniela also started to feel uneasy 515 00:24:23,363 --> 00:24:25,265 and began to cry. 516 00:24:25,265 --> 00:24:28,034 We began to get the feeling that something was about to happen. 517 00:24:33,106 --> 00:24:36,810 Avianca 052, you were making a left turn, correct sir? 518 00:24:36,810 --> 00:24:38,311 Tell him we are in emergency. 519 00:24:38,311 --> 00:24:39,212 2000 feet! 520 00:24:39,212 --> 00:24:40,413 That's right. 521 00:24:40,413 --> 00:24:43,216 To 1-8-0 on the heading, and we'll try once again. 522 00:24:43,216 --> 00:24:45,185 We are running out of fuel. 523 00:24:45,185 --> 00:24:46,119 OK. 524 00:24:46,119 --> 00:24:47,454 What did he say? 525 00:24:47,454 --> 00:24:49,122 I already advised him that we are going to attempt again. 526 00:24:49,122 --> 00:24:50,423 Advise him we are in emergency. 527 00:24:50,423 --> 00:24:51,424 Did you tell him? - Yes sir! 528 00:24:51,424 --> 00:24:52,892 I already advised him! 529 00:24:52,892 --> 00:24:54,194 NARRATOR: But the tower controller 530 00:24:54,194 --> 00:24:57,363 at the end of his shift transfers Avianca 52 531 00:24:57,363 --> 00:24:59,833 to his counterpart in approach control. 532 00:24:59,833 --> 00:25:01,868 They'll have to begin all over again. 533 00:25:01,868 --> 00:25:05,105 Avianca 052 heavy, contact approach on 1-1-8.4. 534 00:25:05,105 --> 00:25:07,407 Approach Avianca 052 heavy. 535 00:25:07,407 --> 00:25:11,244 We just missed a missed approach and we are maintaining 2,000. 536 00:25:11,244 --> 00:25:12,779 Flaps 14. 537 00:25:12,779 --> 00:25:14,180 Avianca 052 heavy New York. 538 00:25:14,180 --> 00:25:14,981 Good evening. 539 00:25:14,981 --> 00:25:16,649 Climb and maintain 3,000. 540 00:25:16,649 --> 00:25:18,251 Advise him we don't have fuel! 541 00:25:18,251 --> 00:25:20,253 Climb and maintain 3,000. 542 00:25:20,253 --> 00:25:22,222 We are running out of fuel, sir. 543 00:25:22,222 --> 00:25:23,022 OK. 544 00:25:23,022 --> 00:25:24,324 Fly heading 0-8-0. 545 00:25:24,324 --> 00:25:26,025 Did you already advise him we don't have fuel? 546 00:25:26,025 --> 00:25:26,826 Yes, sir. 547 00:25:26,826 --> 00:25:28,228 I already advised him. 548 00:25:28,228 --> 00:25:30,630 We are going to maintain 3,000 and he's going to get us back. 549 00:25:30,630 --> 00:25:32,932 As they get back in the pattern and circle the field 550 00:25:32,932 --> 00:25:35,368 and come back in again, that again 551 00:25:35,368 --> 00:25:37,303 adds to the traffic jam that was being 552 00:25:37,303 --> 00:25:39,205 created at Kennedy Airport. 553 00:25:39,205 --> 00:25:41,508 Avianca 052 heavy. 554 00:25:41,508 --> 00:25:43,510 I'm going to turn you about 15 miles northeast, 555 00:25:43,510 --> 00:25:44,944 and then bring you back onto the approach. 556 00:25:44,944 --> 00:25:46,112 Is that OK with you and your fuel? 557 00:25:46,112 --> 00:25:47,313 What did he say? 558 00:25:47,313 --> 00:25:49,315 The guy is angry. 559 00:25:49,315 --> 00:25:50,984 I guess so. 560 00:25:50,984 --> 00:25:52,252 Thank you very much. 561 00:25:52,252 --> 00:25:55,355 These guys were out, and they didn't say we were out. 562 00:25:55,355 --> 00:25:57,557 And he allowed the approach control 563 00:25:57,557 --> 00:26:00,293 to vector them way out in the original pattern 564 00:26:00,293 --> 00:26:03,763 and 15 miles north of the outer marker again. 565 00:26:03,763 --> 00:26:05,398 NARRATOR: Flight 52 is instructed 566 00:26:05,398 --> 00:26:10,303 to fly a long-approach pattern for another landing attempt. 567 00:26:10,303 --> 00:26:13,506 The plane is down to its last dregs of fuel 568 00:26:13,506 --> 00:26:17,443 as the crew waits for final clearance to land. 569 00:26:17,443 --> 00:26:20,280 In their minds that they were being handled and taken care of 570 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:24,384 and they had enough fuel to go around and shoot the approach. 571 00:26:24,384 --> 00:26:29,355 But on the way, they were given a 360 turn because of traffic 572 00:26:29,355 --> 00:26:33,159 spacing, and then they were run way out towards Long Island 573 00:26:33,159 --> 00:26:37,030 and vectored all around, which was equivalent to holding 574 00:26:37,030 --> 00:26:39,299 for another 15, 20 minutes. 575 00:26:39,299 --> 00:26:40,800 Did you get clearance yet? 576 00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:42,235 Can you give us a final yet? 577 00:26:42,235 --> 00:26:44,304 Avianca 052 heavy. 578 00:26:44,304 --> 00:26:46,239 Avianca 052, affirmative sir. 579 00:26:46,239 --> 00:26:47,774 Turn left, heading 0-4-0. 580 00:26:47,774 --> 00:26:49,976 Climb and maintain 3,000. 581 00:26:49,976 --> 00:26:50,843 Negative sir. 582 00:26:50,843 --> 00:26:52,278 We are running out of fuel. 583 00:26:52,278 --> 00:26:53,112 OK. 584 00:26:53,112 --> 00:26:55,148 Turn left, heading 3-1-0, sir. 585 00:26:55,148 --> 00:26:57,383 Set flaps 14. 586 00:26:57,383 --> 00:26:58,885 OK, and you're number two for the approach. 587 00:26:58,885 --> 00:27:00,153 I just have to give you enough room 588 00:27:00,153 --> 00:27:01,888 so you can make it without having to come out again. 589 00:27:01,888 --> 00:27:02,922 OK. 590 00:27:02,922 --> 00:27:05,058 We're number two and flying 3-6-0 now. 591 00:27:11,197 --> 00:27:12,599 NARRATOR: The lights in the aircraft 592 00:27:12,599 --> 00:27:17,503 start to flicker as the engines are starved of fuel. 593 00:27:17,503 --> 00:27:20,607 3-3-0 on the heading, Avianca 052. 594 00:27:20,607 --> 00:27:22,976 Once you're to no fuel flowing through the pump out 595 00:27:22,976 --> 00:27:24,811 of the tank, an amber light comes on 596 00:27:24,811 --> 00:27:26,846 to tell you that tank is empty. 597 00:27:26,846 --> 00:27:27,680 Flame out! 598 00:27:27,680 --> 00:27:31,284 Flame out on engine number four! 599 00:27:31,284 --> 00:27:33,152 Flame out on it? 600 00:27:33,152 --> 00:27:36,623 Flame out on engine number three! 601 00:27:36,623 --> 00:27:38,691 Show me the runway. 602 00:27:38,691 --> 00:27:41,094 NARRATOR: The passengers can hear the sound of the engines 603 00:27:41,094 --> 00:27:44,230 beginning to shut down. 604 00:27:44,230 --> 00:27:47,267 When the engines went off, I looked over 605 00:27:47,267 --> 00:27:49,902 to the lady that was sitting next to me 606 00:27:49,902 --> 00:27:51,938 and I asked her to give me her hand. 607 00:27:51,938 --> 00:27:56,809 And I philosophically accepted, you know, I might die here. 608 00:27:56,809 --> 00:27:58,945 This is it. 609 00:27:58,945 --> 00:28:02,448 Avianca 052, we just lost two engines, 610 00:28:02,448 --> 00:28:04,217 and we need priority, please. 611 00:28:04,217 --> 00:28:07,186 Avianca 052, turn left heading 2-5-0. 612 00:28:07,186 --> 00:28:08,421 Intercept the localizer. 613 00:28:08,421 --> 00:28:09,622 2-5-0, roger. 614 00:28:09,622 --> 00:28:10,456 Select the ILS. 615 00:28:10,456 --> 00:28:11,691 ILS! 616 00:28:11,691 --> 00:28:14,794 Avianca 052, you're 1-5 miles from the outer marker. 617 00:28:14,794 --> 00:28:17,930 Maintain 2,000 until established in the localizer. 618 00:28:17,930 --> 00:28:19,999 Cleared for ILS, 2-2 left. 619 00:28:19,999 --> 00:28:20,800 Roger, Avianca. 620 00:28:20,800 --> 00:28:21,734 You select the ILS? 621 00:28:21,734 --> 00:28:23,069 He's ready on 2. 622 00:28:23,069 --> 00:28:25,538 When all the engines flame out and the generators fall off 623 00:28:25,538 --> 00:28:28,841 the line, a considerable amount of power is lost, 624 00:28:28,841 --> 00:28:29,942 electrical power is lost. 625 00:28:42,288 --> 00:28:45,258 In the cabin, the screams, the crying, 626 00:28:45,258 --> 00:28:51,631 and then this terrible sound of the wind 627 00:28:51,631 --> 00:28:56,169 against the fuselage as the plane drops from the sky. 628 00:29:07,947 --> 00:29:11,417 [loud crash] 629 00:29:15,922 --> 00:29:18,491 Avianca 052, radar contact lost. 630 00:29:18,491 --> 00:29:20,293 Avianca is missing due to the weather thing. 631 00:29:20,293 --> 00:29:22,161 Yeah, Avianca 52 lost an engine. 632 00:29:22,161 --> 00:29:25,164 We're trying to find out why. 633 00:29:25,164 --> 00:29:28,468 NARRATOR: Six and a half hours after leaving Colombia, 634 00:29:28,468 --> 00:29:33,740 Avianca flight 52 is missing somewhere over New York. 635 00:29:33,740 --> 00:29:34,707 CALLER ON PHONE: Yes, hello. 636 00:29:34,707 --> 00:29:37,043 I live in Cove Neck in Oyster Bay. 637 00:29:37,043 --> 00:29:40,613 And there is a plane crashed in our yard, 638 00:29:40,613 --> 00:29:43,750 in front of our house. 639 00:29:43,750 --> 00:29:45,385 When I woke up, I was-- 640 00:29:45,385 --> 00:29:47,487 the first thing that I did, I put my hand over here 641 00:29:47,487 --> 00:29:49,188 in my back, and I was bleeding. 642 00:29:49,188 --> 00:29:50,556 I said, oh my God, we crashed. 643 00:29:50,556 --> 00:29:54,227 Both my legs were broken and I had blood all over the place. 644 00:29:54,227 --> 00:29:57,430 [speaking spanish] 645 00:29:57,430 --> 00:29:59,532 INTERPRETER: The seat where my daughter was sitting 646 00:29:59,532 --> 00:30:02,201 was totally destroyed by pieces of steel that happened 647 00:30:02,201 --> 00:30:03,302 to have come from the wing. 648 00:30:05,972 --> 00:30:07,273 [speaking spanish] 649 00:30:07,273 --> 00:30:09,675 INTERPRETER: I found my baby Daniela amongst the pieces 650 00:30:09,675 --> 00:30:12,345 of a torn up, twisted chair. 651 00:30:12,345 --> 00:30:15,948 And I picked her up like this, and she was drenched in blood. 652 00:30:20,853 --> 00:30:23,022 NARRATOR: Avianca flight 52 has crashed 653 00:30:23,022 --> 00:30:28,995 on Long Island, New York, less than 17 miles from JFK airport. 654 00:30:28,995 --> 00:30:31,197 Medical technician Bob O'Brien hears 655 00:30:31,197 --> 00:30:33,433 the survivors before he spots the shattered 656 00:30:33,433 --> 00:30:34,567 aircraft in the trees. 657 00:30:39,839 --> 00:30:42,842 There were just some people who were crying in pain, 658 00:30:42,842 --> 00:30:44,811 but it was apparent immediately what 659 00:30:44,811 --> 00:30:47,146 had happened when the plane hit the mountain 660 00:30:47,146 --> 00:30:48,214 and just stopped dead. 661 00:30:50,783 --> 00:30:52,985 NEWS REPORTER 1: It just fell out of the sky. 662 00:30:52,985 --> 00:30:55,955 That's how witnesses described the crash of Avianca flight 663 00:30:55,955 --> 00:30:58,624 52, a strangely silent crash. 664 00:30:58,624 --> 00:31:00,860 NEWS REPORTER 2: You can see there was not a big fire here. 665 00:31:00,860 --> 00:31:02,762 That will make it easier for investigators 666 00:31:02,762 --> 00:31:04,997 to examine if there were any gas or engine problems. 667 00:31:04,997 --> 00:31:06,365 NEWS REPORTER 3: There have been reports 668 00:31:06,365 --> 00:31:09,335 of lightning in the area just before the plane went down. 669 00:31:09,335 --> 00:31:11,070 NEWS REPORTER 4: Spokesman for the Controllers Union 670 00:31:11,070 --> 00:31:14,640 says that Kennedy is critically understaffed, a problem that 671 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:16,709 is compounded by bad weather. 672 00:31:16,709 --> 00:31:18,811 NEWS REPORTER 5: Rescuers have not yet given 673 00:31:18,811 --> 00:31:21,247 up on finding more victims. 674 00:31:21,247 --> 00:31:22,815 We're still conducting-- 675 00:31:22,815 --> 00:31:25,017 [speaking spanish] 676 00:31:28,120 --> 00:31:30,389 INTERPRETER: First thing I remember is that I looked up, 677 00:31:30,389 --> 00:31:33,125 and I saw a priest. 678 00:31:33,125 --> 00:31:37,663 He was praying for me, and I was lying down on the ground. 679 00:31:37,663 --> 00:31:39,232 Right above us, I saw three or four 680 00:31:39,232 --> 00:31:41,000 helicopters flying over us. 681 00:31:46,539 --> 00:31:48,641 Oh, my leg! 682 00:31:48,641 --> 00:31:50,943 I managed to get up on top of the fuselage, 683 00:31:50,943 --> 00:31:53,646 and there is that door handle that says, in case of emergency 684 00:31:53,646 --> 00:31:55,014 pull here. 685 00:31:55,014 --> 00:31:57,750 So I pull that door handle, and that door handle just went-- 686 00:31:57,750 --> 00:31:58,951 [whooshes] 687 00:31:58,951 --> 00:32:01,654 And the door came open about four inches. 688 00:32:01,654 --> 00:32:03,623 And then I was able to flip that over, 689 00:32:03,623 --> 00:32:07,026 and I could just see piles and piles of people 690 00:32:07,026 --> 00:32:09,662 strapped in their seats. 691 00:32:09,662 --> 00:32:12,398 NARRATOR: The force of the crash has broken off the cockpit 692 00:32:12,398 --> 00:32:16,035 and catapulted it through the trees and very close to a home, 693 00:32:16,035 --> 00:32:18,204 some 100 feet from the impact site. 694 00:32:20,940 --> 00:32:23,509 We couldn't get into the cockpit to get 695 00:32:23,509 --> 00:32:25,311 to the pilot and the co-pilot. 696 00:32:25,311 --> 00:32:29,148 All those chairs, they all just hit that cockpit door 697 00:32:29,148 --> 00:32:31,918 and just piled into that fuselage. 698 00:32:31,918 --> 00:32:34,787 And just that-- all that added weight and all that inertia, 699 00:32:34,787 --> 00:32:37,490 now just took over in the front of that and just popped it off. 700 00:32:37,490 --> 00:32:40,426 And it rolled to its left side and stopped up against a tree. 701 00:32:45,331 --> 00:32:47,867 [sirens] 702 00:32:54,774 --> 00:32:55,575 Come on. 703 00:32:55,575 --> 00:32:57,009 Somebody get the back here. 704 00:32:57,009 --> 00:33:00,446 I saw some cables, and I saw a big hole in the fuselage 705 00:33:00,446 --> 00:33:03,416 over the passengers that were sitting next to me, 706 00:33:03,416 --> 00:33:05,618 who were kind of unconscious. 707 00:33:05,618 --> 00:33:07,920 And on top of me was this guy who was bleeding. 708 00:33:07,920 --> 00:33:09,488 Big guy, I don't know who he was. 709 00:33:09,488 --> 00:33:11,591 But he was on top of me, but I was sitting. 710 00:33:11,591 --> 00:33:16,395 I pulled myself with those cables towards that hole 711 00:33:16,395 --> 00:33:18,030 which was over the wing. 712 00:33:18,030 --> 00:33:19,031 I started screaming, hey! 713 00:33:19,031 --> 00:33:20,099 Help me out! Help me! 714 00:33:20,099 --> 00:33:21,400 Take me out of here! 715 00:33:21,400 --> 00:33:23,903 And then somebody, when they realized that I was alive, 716 00:33:23,903 --> 00:33:25,171 they removed the-- 717 00:33:25,171 --> 00:33:26,939 I mean, they took away the guy who was on top of me, 718 00:33:26,939 --> 00:33:29,175 and they took me out of the airplane. 719 00:33:29,175 --> 00:33:34,714 At that moment, a fireman was climbing on the wing 720 00:33:34,714 --> 00:33:38,718 and he saw me, and he said, there's a guy here. 721 00:33:38,718 --> 00:33:40,486 And he pulled me out. 722 00:33:40,486 --> 00:33:43,422 [sirens] 723 00:33:46,325 --> 00:33:48,394 NARRATOR: 37 fire and rescue companies 724 00:33:48,394 --> 00:33:51,530 from Nassau County respond. 725 00:33:51,530 --> 00:33:55,101 Before 9/11, the rescue was one of the largest of its kind 726 00:33:55,101 --> 00:33:56,002 in the New York area. 727 00:33:59,705 --> 00:34:01,874 That little girl was sitting up on the fuselage, 728 00:34:01,874 --> 00:34:04,377 and she was crying, mi madre, mi madre! 729 00:34:04,377 --> 00:34:06,879 And that imprint of horror just was, you know, you 730 00:34:06,879 --> 00:34:09,982 just, in your mind's eye, focus right back in on, 731 00:34:09,982 --> 00:34:11,150 I saw mi madre. 732 00:34:11,150 --> 00:34:12,818 I saw her mother, and I know what 733 00:34:12,818 --> 00:34:14,220 that little girl was seeing. 734 00:34:14,220 --> 00:34:18,090 It was horrible enough for me, and I'm a professional rescuer. 735 00:34:18,090 --> 00:34:20,026 [speaking spanish] 736 00:34:20,026 --> 00:34:22,561 INTERPRETER: I realized that my baby was dying, 737 00:34:22,561 --> 00:34:24,563 so I began to scream-- 738 00:34:24,563 --> 00:34:26,365 Please help me! 739 00:34:26,365 --> 00:34:28,000 I have the baby here. 740 00:34:28,000 --> 00:34:29,135 Please! 741 00:34:29,135 --> 00:34:30,636 Coming through! 742 00:34:30,636 --> 00:34:31,637 Coming through! 743 00:34:31,637 --> 00:34:32,438 Back it up. 744 00:34:32,438 --> 00:34:33,773 Watch your back. 745 00:34:33,773 --> 00:34:35,841 NARRATOR: The plane crashed in the wealthy neighborhood 746 00:34:35,841 --> 00:34:38,744 of Cove Neck, near the home of the father 747 00:34:38,744 --> 00:34:41,647 of tennis star John McEnroe. 748 00:34:41,647 --> 00:34:44,550 Medics set up a makeshift triage unit on his lawn. 749 00:34:47,319 --> 00:34:49,822 When daylight breaks 10 hours later, 750 00:34:49,822 --> 00:34:52,391 85 survivors have been pulled from the wreckage. 751 00:34:58,330 --> 00:35:00,332 The lead flight attendant is the only crew 752 00:35:00,332 --> 00:35:04,103 member to survive the crash. 753 00:35:04,103 --> 00:35:08,140 Of the 11 babies on board, all but one are found alive. 754 00:35:14,380 --> 00:35:18,017 Bob O'Brien scours the tail section for survivors 755 00:35:18,017 --> 00:35:20,453 and finds FAA investigators looking 756 00:35:20,453 --> 00:35:23,923 for the aircraft's black boxes. 757 00:35:23,923 --> 00:35:25,024 BOB O'BRIEN: I grabbed the handle 758 00:35:25,024 --> 00:35:26,892 and just pulled the whole box out 759 00:35:26,892 --> 00:35:29,228 and brought that out the door and gave it to them. 760 00:35:33,032 --> 00:35:35,935 NARRATOR: Even as people are being pulled from the wreckage, 761 00:35:35,935 --> 00:35:39,205 the investigation begins. 762 00:35:39,205 --> 00:35:42,174 In charge on the ground is Barry Trotter of the National 763 00:35:42,174 --> 00:35:44,510 Transportation Safety Board. 764 00:35:44,510 --> 00:35:47,680 A former pilot, Trotter became an investigator 765 00:35:47,680 --> 00:35:52,084 after losing his right arm in a motorcycle accident. 766 00:35:52,084 --> 00:35:56,455 The condition of the aircraft was really astonishing to see 767 00:35:56,455 --> 00:35:59,992 that much of the structure was left in the condition 768 00:35:59,992 --> 00:36:01,927 that it was in. 769 00:36:01,927 --> 00:36:05,264 It hit right on about a 28-degree embankment, 770 00:36:05,264 --> 00:36:07,199 and with the wings and all the other trees, 771 00:36:07,199 --> 00:36:08,601 it only slid 28 feet. 772 00:36:08,601 --> 00:36:12,605 So it hit and stopped instantly. 773 00:36:12,605 --> 00:36:15,975 NARRATOR: Unaware of the details of Avianca's troubled flight, 774 00:36:15,975 --> 00:36:20,546 investigators quickly find valuable evidence. 775 00:36:20,546 --> 00:36:21,981 You could look at the engines right away, 776 00:36:21,981 --> 00:36:24,683 and you could tell the engines were not turning. 777 00:36:24,683 --> 00:36:26,919 So there was no power on the engines. 778 00:36:26,919 --> 00:36:29,688 That was the first big clue. 779 00:36:34,026 --> 00:36:36,862 NARRATOR: Trotter and his team check the fuel tanks 780 00:36:36,862 --> 00:36:40,065 and find just a few gallons remaining. 781 00:36:40,065 --> 00:36:44,537 It becomes clear why the 707's engines stopped. 782 00:36:44,537 --> 00:36:48,207 But the question of who's to blame is still to be answered. 783 00:36:52,211 --> 00:36:55,014 In Cove Neck, New York, salvage workers 784 00:36:55,014 --> 00:36:58,551 begin to dismantle the shattered remains of Avianca flight 52. 785 00:37:02,354 --> 00:37:05,958 But there's still one critical question-- 786 00:37:05,958 --> 00:37:09,662 who is responsible for flight 52 running out of fuel 787 00:37:09,662 --> 00:37:14,433 and causing the deaths of 72 passengers and crew? 788 00:37:14,433 --> 00:37:16,836 The answer will be worth millions of dollars 789 00:37:16,836 --> 00:37:18,337 and affect dozens of lives. 790 00:37:23,242 --> 00:37:26,345 At the National Transportation and Safety Board in Washington 791 00:37:26,345 --> 00:37:30,449 DC, investigators are eager to recover data locked 792 00:37:30,449 --> 00:37:32,084 inside the two black boxes. 793 00:37:35,421 --> 00:37:37,990 They begin with the flight data recorder, which 794 00:37:37,990 --> 00:37:41,193 records information such as the plane's altitude, speed, 795 00:37:41,193 --> 00:37:42,495 and heading. 796 00:37:42,495 --> 00:37:44,530 But it proves useless. 797 00:37:44,530 --> 00:37:47,333 We opened it and found that the foil 798 00:37:47,333 --> 00:37:49,401 wrap was not hooked up. 799 00:37:49,401 --> 00:37:52,338 So someone had actually intentionally taped the end 800 00:37:52,338 --> 00:37:55,040 of the foil so it wouldn't fly around and put 801 00:37:55,040 --> 00:37:56,041 it back in the airplane. 802 00:37:59,245 --> 00:38:01,313 NARRATOR: Without the flight data recorder, 803 00:38:01,313 --> 00:38:03,282 investigators rely heavily on flight 804 00:38:03,282 --> 00:38:06,218 52's cockpit voice recorder. 805 00:38:06,218 --> 00:38:08,888 It's found with more than 40 minutes of recordings 806 00:38:08,888 --> 00:38:10,990 of the crew in between the first officer 807 00:38:10,990 --> 00:38:13,859 and air traffic controllers. 808 00:38:13,859 --> 00:38:15,594 Yes sir, we are cleared to land. 809 00:38:15,594 --> 00:38:17,363 Standby. 810 00:38:17,363 --> 00:38:20,633 All set for landing. 811 00:38:20,633 --> 00:38:22,868 Below glide slope. 812 00:38:22,868 --> 00:38:25,771 And it was apparent from the voice recorder transcript 813 00:38:25,771 --> 00:38:29,241 and tape that the captain was not understanding 814 00:38:29,241 --> 00:38:32,178 the first officer's radio communications that 815 00:38:32,178 --> 00:38:33,779 were being made in English. 816 00:38:33,779 --> 00:38:35,948 Everybody wants to blame the pilot, 817 00:38:35,948 --> 00:38:38,517 but he may be the last person to make a decision. 818 00:38:38,517 --> 00:38:41,287 And the scenario which caused him to be in that position 819 00:38:41,287 --> 00:38:44,723 where he makes the decision was created by several other people 820 00:38:44,723 --> 00:38:45,724 along the route. 821 00:38:45,724 --> 00:38:49,528 The captain asked the first officer 822 00:38:49,528 --> 00:38:53,098 about nine times, clarify information or repeat it 823 00:38:53,098 --> 00:38:55,334 or to pass on information. 824 00:38:55,334 --> 00:38:56,402 We are going to attempt again. 825 00:38:56,402 --> 00:38:58,003 Advise him we have an emergency! 826 00:38:58,003 --> 00:38:59,238 Do you tell him? 827 00:38:59,238 --> 00:39:01,307 Did you make a conscious decision to run out of fuel? 828 00:39:01,307 --> 00:39:02,708 No. 829 00:39:02,708 --> 00:39:05,611 He was sucked into a situation by the air traffic controllers 830 00:39:05,611 --> 00:39:06,679 where he ran out of fuel. 831 00:39:06,679 --> 00:39:08,848 Once the airplane got into the JFK area, 832 00:39:08,848 --> 00:39:12,184 there was certainly a serious breakdown in communications 833 00:39:12,184 --> 00:39:15,187 on the part of the pilots within the cockpit, 834 00:39:15,187 --> 00:39:17,990 on the part of the pilots talking to controllers, 835 00:39:17,990 --> 00:39:22,228 and controllers talking to the pilots, and the controllers 836 00:39:22,228 --> 00:39:24,864 amongst themselves, because there were handoffs 837 00:39:24,864 --> 00:39:27,633 and some of the urgency was not passed on 838 00:39:27,633 --> 00:39:29,735 within the controllers' system. 839 00:39:29,735 --> 00:39:32,972 So we had multiple breakdowns in multiple areas 840 00:39:32,972 --> 00:39:36,041 here that ultimately led to this accident. 841 00:39:36,041 --> 00:39:37,576 Glide slope! 842 00:39:37,576 --> 00:39:38,811 [inaudible] 843 00:39:38,811 --> 00:39:40,613 NARRATOR: The cockpit voice recorder reveals a crew 844 00:39:40,613 --> 00:39:43,315 desperate to land the 707 in near zero 845 00:39:43,315 --> 00:39:45,885 visibility and extreme wind shear 846 00:39:45,885 --> 00:39:48,587 without the aid of an autopilot. 847 00:39:48,587 --> 00:39:52,091 In this case, the captain had a difficult time maintaining 848 00:39:52,091 --> 00:39:55,361 the glide slope during the approach with the wind shear, 849 00:39:55,361 --> 00:39:58,230 didn't see the airport, and had to make a go-around. 850 00:39:58,230 --> 00:40:01,133 That almost doomed the airplane at that point. 851 00:40:01,133 --> 00:40:03,669 The information being given to pilots 852 00:40:03,669 --> 00:40:09,208 en route was a wind shear up as high as 1,500 feet, 853 00:40:09,208 --> 00:40:12,578 but the pilots, on approach, were encountering 854 00:40:12,578 --> 00:40:14,446 wind shear as low as 300 feet. 855 00:40:14,446 --> 00:40:19,351 And that wasn't passed on to the Avianca pilot. 856 00:40:19,351 --> 00:40:20,753 This is the wind shear! 857 00:40:20,753 --> 00:40:23,789 NARRATOR: The crew of flight 52 is caught off guard. 858 00:40:23,789 --> 00:40:27,126 As they descend below 500 feet and slow down, 859 00:40:27,126 --> 00:40:30,396 a violent vertical wind forces them toward the ground-- 860 00:40:30,396 --> 00:40:32,398 The runway, where is it? 861 00:40:32,398 --> 00:40:33,198 I don't see it. 862 00:40:33,198 --> 00:40:34,266 I don't see it! 863 00:40:34,266 --> 00:40:35,567 NARRATOR: nearly causing the plane to crash 864 00:40:35,567 --> 00:40:37,036 two miles short of the runway. 865 00:40:39,838 --> 00:40:42,708 With little fuel left, there is no fire 866 00:40:42,708 --> 00:40:47,046 or explosion on impact, saving many from almost certain death. 867 00:40:50,249 --> 00:40:53,819 Transmission about is primary-- 868 00:40:53,819 --> 00:40:56,121 NARRATOR: As the hearings into the crash begin, 869 00:40:56,121 --> 00:40:59,191 controllers maintain that the Avianca crew failed 870 00:40:59,191 --> 00:41:02,528 to use the word, emergency, instead, 871 00:41:02,528 --> 00:41:06,865 using the word, priority, to communicate their situation. 872 00:41:06,865 --> 00:41:08,600 The government took the position that the pilot 873 00:41:08,600 --> 00:41:12,471 never declared an emergency, so no one 874 00:41:12,471 --> 00:41:14,173 knew that he had a problem. 875 00:41:14,173 --> 00:41:18,110 But saying you're getting low on fuel and saying you cannot 876 00:41:18,110 --> 00:41:20,446 make your alternate, the word, emergency 877 00:41:20,446 --> 00:41:22,014 is not necessary to say. 878 00:41:22,014 --> 00:41:22,848 Negative, sir. 879 00:41:22,848 --> 00:41:24,616 We are running out of fuel. 880 00:41:24,616 --> 00:41:28,120 We just lost two engines and we need priority, please! 881 00:41:28,120 --> 00:41:30,255 And they thought they were telling them when 882 00:41:30,255 --> 00:41:32,825 they said we need priority. 883 00:41:32,825 --> 00:41:35,694 To me, priority means a priority. 884 00:41:35,694 --> 00:41:37,262 [speaking spanish] 885 00:41:37,262 --> 00:41:41,734 INTERPRETER: In Spanish, for us, the word, priority means first. 886 00:41:41,734 --> 00:41:42,668 Attend to me. 887 00:41:42,668 --> 00:41:43,869 Run to me. 888 00:41:43,869 --> 00:41:45,104 I need you right now. 889 00:41:47,639 --> 00:41:50,909 NARRATOR: The NTSB concludes that air traffic's handling 890 00:41:50,909 --> 00:41:54,480 of Avianca 52 was proper, given the information they 891 00:41:54,480 --> 00:41:58,283 received from the flight crew. 892 00:41:58,283 --> 00:42:00,886 Many passengers are outraged by what they feel 893 00:42:00,886 --> 00:42:03,655 is a gross injustice that air traffic 894 00:42:03,655 --> 00:42:05,691 control is found blameless. 895 00:42:11,330 --> 00:42:14,633 Avianca sues the FAA, which employs the air traffic 896 00:42:14,633 --> 00:42:16,468 controllers, saying they should have 897 00:42:16,468 --> 00:42:18,570 done more when flight 52 told them 898 00:42:18,570 --> 00:42:19,905 they were running out of fuel. 899 00:42:19,905 --> 00:42:21,807 Senior staff people that we have here from the National 900 00:42:21,807 --> 00:42:22,975 Transportation-- 901 00:42:22,975 --> 00:42:25,611 NARRATOR: The FAA settles and pays around 40% 902 00:42:25,611 --> 00:42:28,847 of the estimated $200 million compensation 903 00:42:28,847 --> 00:42:29,748 due to the victims. 904 00:42:32,451 --> 00:42:35,587 And if you listen and read the tapes, the transcripts 905 00:42:35,587 --> 00:42:38,157 of the tapes of each air traffic control center 906 00:42:38,157 --> 00:42:41,427 along the route and the final in New York TRACON, New York 907 00:42:41,427 --> 00:42:45,931 tower, Kennedy tower, you'll find 20 places where 908 00:42:45,931 --> 00:42:48,000 this accident could have been avoided if somebody 909 00:42:48,000 --> 00:42:52,137 had done something differently. 910 00:42:52,137 --> 00:42:54,039 NARRATOR: Among the 85 survivors who 911 00:42:54,039 --> 00:42:56,909 escaped the shattered remains of flight 52 912 00:42:56,909 --> 00:42:58,777 are the Montoya's two daughters. 913 00:43:02,181 --> 00:43:04,950 Daniela, the baby covered in blood, 914 00:43:04,950 --> 00:43:06,985 grows to be a healthy young woman. 915 00:43:09,855 --> 00:43:11,223 [speaking spanish] 916 00:43:11,223 --> 00:43:13,459 INTERPRETER: The day just before the flight, 917 00:43:13,459 --> 00:43:15,994 we took a long trip to visit the Virgin Mary. 918 00:43:15,994 --> 00:43:18,931 This is a very important sanctuary in Medellin. 919 00:43:18,931 --> 00:43:21,233 Perhaps it was a miracle of God and the Virgin 920 00:43:21,233 --> 00:43:22,935 that the four of us survived. 921 00:43:22,935 --> 00:43:25,904 It was a miracle, and we feel blessed by that. 922 00:43:28,941 --> 00:43:30,576 NARRATOR: For many of the survivors, 923 00:43:30,576 --> 00:43:33,378 recovering from their injuries has been easier 924 00:43:33,378 --> 00:43:35,247 than coming to terms with the reason 925 00:43:35,247 --> 00:43:38,750 why flight 52 ran out of fuel. 926 00:43:38,750 --> 00:43:41,120 I had to learn to walk from scratch. 927 00:43:41,120 --> 00:43:46,792 It's difficult to enough to deal with the injuries. 928 00:43:46,792 --> 00:43:52,030 It makes me very angry to think that a plane went down with 161 929 00:43:52,030 --> 00:43:55,701 souls and had almost half the people lost 930 00:43:55,701 --> 00:43:59,505 their lives because of a word. 71522

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