Original subtitles

An Airbus A330 loses power en route to Hong Kong.

The hell was that?

The hell was that?

We now have two engines stalled,

and my blood ran cold.

To survive, the pilots must avoid

To survive, the pilots must avoid

ditching in the Indian Ocean.

Soaring six miles in the air, a British Airways 747 suffers

Soaring six miles in the air, a British Airways 747 suffers

a mysterious engine flameout.

Mayday, mayday, mayday!

What the crew had to deal with was mind boggling.

And with four engines down,

And with four engines down,

China Airlines Flight 006 plummets thousands

of feet in just seconds.

This airplane is totally out of control.

In three terrifying events with all engines out...

In three terrifying events with all engines out...

That is one of the most dire situations any crew can be in.

That is one of the most dire situations any crew can be in.

...can investigators piece

together what really happened?

Stop.

Stop.

Would you look at that?

Ladies and gentlemen, we are starting our approach.

We lost both engines.

We lost both engines.

Emergency dispatch.

Mayday, mayday!

Brace for impact!

I think I lost one.

I think I lost one.

Investigations starting traffic.

It's going to crash!

Seat belt, please.

Seat belt, please.

Thank you.

Cathay Pacific Flight 780 cruises at 38,000

feet over the South China Sea.

feet over the South China Sea.

This is your captain speaking.

This is your captain speaking.

We'll be starting our descent into Hong Kong shortly.

On a four-and-a-half-hour flight

from Surabaya, Indonesia, the plane is just 30 minutes from

from Surabaya, Indonesia, the plane is just 30 minutes from

its destination of Hong Kong.

It's a crisp morning,

clear skies, light wind.

clear skies, light wind.

It was a nice day to go flying.

Captain Malcolm Waters is one of Cathay

Pacific's youngest captains.

Pacific's youngest captains.

His first officer, David Hayhoe, is

an ex-fighter pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force.

an ex-fighter pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force.

The Airbus A330 is powered by two

Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.

Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.

Every aspect of flight operation is aided by advanced computers.

Every aspect of flight operation is aided by advanced computers.

The engineering and complexity

that goes into them and the science

that presents information... they're incredible machines.

that presents information... they're incredible machines.

165 miles from Hong Kong Airport, the Airbus

165 miles from Hong Kong Airport, the Airbus

leaves cruising altitude and begins its descent.

I have speeds of 295 knots.

I have speeds of 295 knots.

The aircraft is performing perfectly.

And then something goes wrong.

The hell was that?

I'd describe it as a low thumping

I'd describe it as a low thumping

noise and airframe vibration.

So David and myself kind of looked at each other like,

So David and myself kind of looked at each other like,

that's unusual.

The flight computer alerts the pilots to a problem.

The flight computer alerts the pilots to a problem.

OK, let's see what we got.

Engine 2 stall.

The plane's monitoring system

indicates there's an issue with the right engine,

indicates there's an issue with the right engine,

engine number 2.

OK, thrust lever number 2.

OK, thrust lever number 2.

Confirm.

Confirm.

Captain Waters reduces power in the engine to idle

to protect it from damage...

Idle.

Idle.

...the lowest possible level

while still keeping it running.

It has an immediate effect.

The engine noises disappear.

The engine noises disappear.

That's better.

Without thrust from the right engine,

Without thrust from the right engine,

the pilots are now relying exclusively on the left engine

to get them to Hong Kong.

A single-engine approach is not a big deal.

A single-engine approach is not a big deal.

We practice it a lot in the simulator.

But as the flight crew prepares for landing,

But as the flight crew prepares for landing,

the left engine, engine number 1, also fails.

the left engine, engine number 1, also fails.

We were relying on this one engine

to get us safely on the ground, and now it

to get us safely on the ground, and now it

had exactly the same symptoms and noises

and sounds as the other engine.

and sounds as the other engine.

Engine 1 stall.

Engine 1 stall confirmed.

Engine 1 stall confirmed.

Engine 1 to idle.

Both engines are now still running

Both engines are now still running

but producing no thrust.

The plane is gliding.

The plane is gliding.

Dammit!

Our descent rate is not looking good.

Our descent rate is not looking good.

Without trust, they won't make it to Hong

Kong or any other airport.

Kong or any other airport.

Despite several attempts, the pilots cannot get

Despite several attempts, the pilots cannot get

the engines to produce power.

We've only got five, six minutes

before we're at sea level.

before we're at sea level.

I felt fear, and you have all those human responses to fear...

I felt fear, and you have all those human responses to fear...

the hair standing up on the back of your neck,

the tightening of your stomach, the dryness in your mouth.

the tightening of your stomach, the dryness in your mouth.

The pilots confront the grim prospect of ditching

in the South China Sea.

in the South China Sea.

I'm calling a mayday.

Do it.

Approach, mayday, mayday, mayday, Cathay 780 had engine 1

Approach, mayday, mayday, mayday, Cathay 780 had engine 1

stall and engine 2 stall.

stall and engine 2 stall.

Cathay 780, understood.

The seas looked very rough.

It was a lot of whitecaps.

It was a lot of whitecaps.

The swells would be 1 to 2 meters.

I felt that our engines would act as two big scoops,

I felt that our engines would act as two big scoops,

and we pitch the aircraft down quite violently.

And that would probably result in us cartwheeling

and breaking apart.

and breaking apart.

This cannot be happening.

First officer Hayhoe begins

First officer Hayhoe begins

preparing to ditch the plane.

Then Captain Waters gets an idea.

OK, try slow movements.

OK, try slow movements.

Go slowly.

Just ease in fuel.

Just ease in fuel.

Easy does it.

I was just pinching

the side of the thrust lever just to move it a millimeter.

the side of the thrust lever just to move it a millimeter.

Each time I pinched it, it would just go up a millimeter.

Incredibly, it seems to be having an effect.

Incredibly, it seems to be having an effect.

Rotation increasing an engine 1.

It's working.

It's working.

The rotation of the fan

was increasing from 28% to 29% to 30% to 32%

was increasing from 28% to 29% to 30% to 32%

as I move this very, very slowly and gently up.

as I move this very, very slowly and gently up.

Captain Waters realizes that the engine won't

go any higher than 74% power.

go any higher than 74% power.

That'll have to do.

We got a thrust setting that resulted

We got a thrust setting that resulted

in us being able to fly level.

We weren't descending anymore, and that was a huge relief.

We weren't descending anymore, and that was a huge relief.

With one engine working,

the pilots can now attempt a landing at Hong Kong Airport.

the pilots can now attempt a landing at Hong Kong Airport.

But there's no margin for error.

You see that?

Altitude is holding.

Altitude is holding.

Fantastic.

OK, approach preparation.

We did have an engine that was now functioning,

We did have an engine that was now functioning,

but I didn't trust it.

Let's do this.

Let's do this.

OK, flaps 1.

Gear down.

Gear down.

Gear down.

The safest plan is to get the plane 5,500 feet

from the ground, then pull engine 1 back to idle,

from the ground, then pull engine 1 back to idle,

reducing speed and altitude in preparation for a gentle glide

reducing speed and altitude in preparation for a gentle glide

onto the runway.

Cathy 780, we have both runways

available for your approach.

Final items OK.

Final items OK.

But just one minute from touchdown...

It's overspeed.

It's overspeed.

...an overspeed warning sounds, a signal the aircraft

is flying too fast.

They should be slowing down.

Speed checked 240, 800 feet.

Speed checked 240, 800 feet.

Yeah, and my blood ran cold.

It just looked completely wrong, and I was very uneasy

that things would get out of my control

that things would get out of my control

and that there was something that I was missing.

Then he sees it.

Then he sees it.

Engine 1 is still running at high speed, too high

to land safely.

to land safely.

I had that whole feeling again of fear, anger.

It was a scary moment.

The pilots have no choice

but to risk a high-speed landing on a runway

at the edge of the ocean.

at the edge of the ocean.

It was our one chance to get this on the ground,

and we had to make the best go at it.

Too low terrain.

Too low terrain.

Pull up.

Pull up.

Going 100 knots or a little over 115 miles per hour

faster than normal, Captain Waters

faster than normal, Captain Waters

pushes the nose down, forcing the Airbus onto the runway.

Brace!

Brace!

At the end lies open water.

The aircraft did not want to land,

The aircraft did not want to land,

and I remember thinking, well, this is it,

because it was very violent.

Full reverse!

Full reverse!

The crew deploys reverse thrust

and applies full braking power to avoid

overshooting the runway.

No number 2 reverse!

No decel!

Immediately, I just step on the brakes,

Immediately, I just step on the brakes,

hold them, toe brakes to the floor.

Just one faulty engine is providing reverse thrust.

Just one faulty engine is providing reverse thrust.

Will it be enough to stop the plane

from careening into the sea?

Full reverse!

Cathay Pacific Flight 780

screeches to a halt just a few feet from the end

screeches to a halt just a few feet from the end

of the airport's runway.

I can't believe it.

I can't believe it.

We made it.

Nice one.

It was just this humongous relief.

It was just this humongous relief.

You're so happy that, you know, we were going to go

You're so happy that, you know, we were going to go

home and see our families.

The passengers and crew evacuate safely

with only a few minor injuries.

Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department immediately

Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department immediately

launches an investigation.

Thank you.

Because the plane's Trent 700 engines were made

Because the plane's Trent 700 engines were made

by British company Rolls-Royce, Anne Evans

of the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch

of the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch

joins the investigation.

This Trent 700 is a very common engine fitted to a lot

This Trent 700 is a very common engine fitted to a lot

of airplanes all over the world, so if there's an engineering

problem with a particular design,

problem with a particular design,

then we want to find that quickly.

Investigators look to the plane's flight

data recorder for answers.

data recorder for answers.

They start with A330's engine functions.

They start with A330's engine functions.

Stop.

What's going on here?

Right away, they notice something unusual.

Right away, they notice something unusual.

Thrust levers are moving, but fuel flow's flatlining.

Thrust levers are moving, but fuel flow's flatlining.

Right after the pilots tried to restore power

to the engines by pushing the throttle up,

the fuel flow remained the same.

the fuel flow remained the same.

Nothing happens.

The engines just are not responding at all.

The engines just are not responding at all.

They're just remaining at idle.

Dammit!

Investigators wonder if a fuel flow problem caused

Flight 780's engine trouble.

Flight 780's engine trouble.

Thank you.

Evans turns to the plane's in-depth data logs.

Evans turns to the plane's in-depth data logs.

They explain in detail the error messages...

Engine 2 stall.

...that appeared on the monitoring system

...that appeared on the monitoring system

throughout the flight.

Engine 2 control system fault.

Anne Evans discovers that early in the flight

Anne Evans discovers that early in the flight

the computers detected a problem in a key part of the fuel

system called the main metering valve.

system called the main metering valve.

So the warnings that were coming up

were warnings to do with the main metering valve

were warnings to do with the main metering valve

supplying fuel to the engine.

The main metering valve is made up of a piston

The main metering valve is made up of a piston

that slides within a cylinder.

When the pilots move the thrust levers,

it increases or decreases the flow of fuel

it increases or decreases the flow of fuel

to the A330's turbofan engines.

When investigators cut the valve open to study it...

That's not normal, is it?

That's not normal, is it?

...they find something they've never seen before.

What we saw seemed like very, very fine powder,

What we saw seemed like very, very fine powder,

even finer than caster sugar, very, very small particles.

even finer than caster sugar, very, very small particles.

Microscopic analysis reveals that the powder is

a type of super absorbent polymer, or SAP,

a type of super absorbent polymer, or SAP,

made up of tiny spheres.

These are organic compounds designed to absorb water.

These are organic compounds designed to absorb water.

That gave us a clue as to where they'd come from.

That gave us a clue as to where they'd come from.

The powder is used in refueling

trucks to prevent water from getting

into the aircraft's fuel tanks.

into the aircraft's fuel tanks.

The refueling trucks pump fuel from underground tanks

and pipes through a filter on the truck

and pipes through a filter on the truck

and into the aircraft.

If the fuel is contaminated with water, the powder in the filter

If the fuel is contaminated with water, the powder in the filter

absorbs it by forming a gel inside the filter,

absorbs it by forming a gel inside the filter,

but the waterlogged gel is supposed to stay in the filter.

It should never end up in the fuel.

It should never end up in the fuel.

It is so commonly used

within the industry for this purpose of filtering out water.

What we didn't understand was, how did

What we didn't understand was, how did

it get on board the aircraft?

This one looks somehow collapsed.

Investigators recover the filters from the truck used

Investigators recover the filters from the truck used

to refuel Flight 780 at Surabaya Airport,

and when they examine a sample of the filter

and when they examine a sample of the filter

under a microscope, investigators

make a puzzling find.

make a puzzling find.

It looks like sodium crystals.

The powder spheres are encrusted with salt.

The powder spheres are encrusted with salt.

Had salt water got into the fuel system?

Had salt water got into the fuel system?

This one's straight from the manufacturer.

When Anne's team conducts tests on fresh filters

When Anne's team conducts tests on fresh filters

exposing them to salt water...

Wow, would you look at that?

...the filters collapse, just like the ones

...the filters collapse, just like the ones

used to fuel Flight 780, allowing

both the salt crystals and white powder spheres to pass through.

both the salt crystals and white powder spheres to pass through.

What was important was that we demonstrated

we could generate spheres.

we could generate spheres.

Investigators now believe salt water collapsed

the fuel filters, leading to powder contamination

the fuel filters, leading to powder contamination

in the fuel system of Flight 780,

but one critical question remains.

but one critical question remains.

So how did saltwater get into the fuel system?

So how did saltwater get into the fuel system?

After a careful review of the fuel

system at Surabaya Airport, investigators

make a stunning discovery.

make a stunning discovery.

The fuel system is located close to the sea,

and during a recent upgrade, the open fuel pipes were possibly

and during a recent upgrade, the open fuel pipes were possibly

exposed to groundwater.

Investigators now believe they know what happened

to Cathay Pacific Flight 780.

to Cathay Pacific Flight 780.

The underground fuel supply, contaminated with saltwater,

The underground fuel supply, contaminated with saltwater,

broke down a filter, releasing a powder into the fuel.

broke down a filter, releasing a powder into the fuel.

The powder jammed the metering valves, preventing enough fuel

from reaching the engines.

Engine 1 stall.

Engine 1 stall.

We had fuel contamination,

and that contamination throughout the fuel system

and that contamination throughout the fuel system

led to the seizure of both main metering valves

such that the pilot no longer had control

such that the pilot no longer had control

over the power of the engines.

Investigators believe Captain Waters was

Investigators believe Captain Waters was

able to restore some thrust in engine number 1

only because its fuel metering valve

only because its fuel metering valve

wasn't yet completely jammed.

Only a small trickle of fuel was getting through.

Slowly, slowly.

Slowly, slowly.

Come on.

Rotation increasing an engine 1.

It's working.

It's working.

Once the spheres jammed the valve,

it was stuck open...

...forcing Captain Waters to make

the risky high-speed landing.

No number 2 reverse!

Expert piloting brought Flight 780 safely

to the ground.

I can't believe it.

Since the accident, there

have been efforts to improve the regulation of aviation

have been efforts to improve the regulation of aviation

fuel handling and storage.

Manufacturers have designed the filters to prevent collapse

Manufacturers have designed the filters to prevent collapse

and powder contamination.

and powder contamination.

The crew's heroic efforts in the face of engine failure

saved Cathay Flight 780 from all but certain disaster.

saved Cathay Flight 780 from all but certain disaster.

Total engine failure is an ultra rare occurrence

Total engine failure is an ultra rare occurrence

on modern airliners.

Seat belt, please.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Fortunately, the fast-thinking flight crew

of Flight 780 had some control of their jet's engines,

of Flight 780 had some control of their jet's engines,

allowing them to bring the plane to safety.

But 28 years earlier, a bizarre incident

puts the pilots of British Airways Flight 9

puts the pilots of British Airways Flight 9

to the ultimate test.

Oh my lord, look at engine 4.

It's the same on my side.

It's the same on my side.

When you have an uncontrollable and

unpredictable event that puts your airplane at risk,

that takes a whole different set of skills to resolve.

that takes a whole different set of skills to resolve.

Dad!

The engine's on fire!

The engine's on fire!

They've all gone!

All four engines have failed!

June 24, 1982...

British Airways Flight 9 cruises high over Indonesia.

British Airways Flight 9 cruises high over Indonesia.

In a few hours, the plane and all 263 people on board

In a few hours, the plane and all 263 people on board

are scheduled to land in Perth, Australia.

are scheduled to land in Perth, Australia.

Captain Eric Moody commands the flight.

He's one of the first ever trained on the 747.

He's one of the first ever trained on the 747.

Roger, check with Jakarta.

Jakarta Control, Speedbird 9 over Halim at level 370.

Speedbird 9, roger.

Speedbird 9, roger.

First Officer Roger Greaves has been co-pilot

for more than six years.

Barry Townley-Freeman has been a flight

engineer on these aircraft for a little longer.

I'd not flown with Eric before, or Barry.

I'd not flown with Eric before, or Barry.

That was the first time we'd actually...

we'd actually met on that...

we'd actually met on that...

that flight.

All right, Roger, it's all clear.

Just keep your eyes open.

I'll be back in a moment.

I'll be back in a moment.

Just got to use the loo.

But while he's gone, conditions in the cockpit

But while he's gone, conditions in the cockpit

become unusual.

We started to get these pinpricks of light

We started to get these pinpricks of light

on the... on the windscreen.

It smelled like a sulfuric electrical smell,

and I went on that flight deck expecting

and I went on that flight deck expecting

to hear that we had some electrical smoke

somewhere on the aircraft.

But nothing was further from the truth.

But nothing was further from the truth.

Anything on radar?

No, it's clear, not a cloud.

Oh my lord, look at engine 4.

It's lit up somehow.

Captain, Captain, have a look at number 1.

Captain, Captain, have a look at number 1.

It's the same on my side.

The pilots noticed that the plane's engines are

The pilots noticed that the plane's engines are

lit by a brilliant white glow.

But it's the flight's passengers who first spotted flames.

But it's the flight's passengers who first spotted flames.

Dad!

The engine's on fire!

The engine's on fire!

There were huge flames coming out

of the back of the engines 40 feet long,

shooting out of the back of all the engines.

shooting out of the back of all the engines.

What's going to happen?

As fire engulfs the engines, one of them

As fire engulfs the engines, one of them

revs loudly and flames out.

Engine failure, number 4.

Engine failure, number 4.

Once one engine fails,

you call for the drill to shut that one down.

Then the unthinkable happens.

Number 2 engine's gone.

Number 2 engine's gone.

All right, then, begin the engine shutdown.

No, wait!

They've all gone!

All four engines have failed!

Somehow, all four engines have

completely stopped working.

Roger, declare emergency.

Mayday, mayday, mayday!

Speedbird 9.

Speedbird 9.

We have lost all four engines.

Without engine power, the 747

Without engine power, the 747

is now an enormous glider.

One of the nightmares for a commercial airman

is the idea of losing all your power.

is the idea of losing all your power.

The 747 can glide 120 miles from high altitude,

but at the end of that, you're going

but at the end of that, you're going

to come in contact with the surface of the Earth one

way or another.

All right, begin restart drill.

Set.

- Battery. - Check.

- Battery. - Check.

On.

The flight crew tries to restart the engines.

Standby power.

On.

Anything?

Anything?

Anything?

No.

Plunging toward the Indian Ocean,

the crew has to get their engines going.

the crew has to get their engines going.

Come on.

Again, gentlemen.

Again, gentlemen.

All right, from the top, battery.

Check.

On.

Without engine power, the cabin's

air pressure decreases, releasing the oxygen masks.

air pressure decreases, releasing the oxygen masks.

Standby.

Standby.

Captain Eric Moody is running out of options.

Come on. Anything?

No.

No.

We haven't had any success with the drill at all,

despite all the efforts we were putting in, but it was...

it was the only thing we had left to cling on to.

it was the only thing we had left to cling on to.

Descending steadily, the flight crew

prepares to ditch the Boeing 747 in the Indian Ocean.

prepares to ditch the Boeing 747 in the Indian Ocean.

Move.

All right, then.

I knew it was so difficult to land aeroplanes

I knew it was so difficult to land aeroplanes

on the sea, even when you had everything going for you,

and I thought that, well, we haven't got much going for us

and I thought that, well, we haven't got much going for us

here.

I'd never done it before.

As a precaution, Captain Moody

As a precaution, Captain Moody

decides to turn the plane back to the closest airport, Halim,

just outside Jakarta.

just outside Jakarta.

If they must ditch, the chances of a successful rescue

are higher if the plane is closer to land.

are higher if the plane is closer to land.

- Start lever. - Cut off.

Fuel pressure.

None available.

Standby ignition on.

Standby ignition on.

And then as suddenly as it stopped working,

the fourth engine roars back to life.

the fourth engine roars back to life.

Engine 4 back online.

The noise that a Rolls-Royce engine

makes when it starts up... well, it was wonderful to hear it.

As the plane falls past 13,000 feet,

As the plane falls past 13,000 feet,

another engine coughs and comes back to life.

Engine 3, back online!

Engine 3, back online!

It's followed quickly by the final two.

I don't believe it.

I don't believe it.

Engines 1 and 2 both back online!

The crippled jet is back under full power.

The crippled jet is back under full power.

Oh my god, Ma!

Oh my god, Ma!

Jakarta, Speedbird 9.

We are back in business.

The crew calls for an emergency landing in Jakarta.

The crew calls for an emergency landing in Jakarta.

...at 12,000.

Let's get this thing on the ground as quickly as we can.

50 feet, 30 feet.

50 feet, 30 feet.

Reverse.

When the airplane just landed itself...

When the airplane just landed itself...

it seemed to, anyway.

It kissed the earth.

It was beautiful.

Wow, that's... that's amazing.

Wow, that's... that's amazing.

Flight 9 and its passengers and crew

are safely on the ground, but no one knows what happened.

are safely on the ground, but no one knows what happened.

The next morning, the flight crew

returns to Halim Airport in Jakarta to inspect their plane.

returns to Halim Airport in Jakarta to inspect their plane.

The pilots and investigators are shocked by what they discover.

The pilots and investigators are shocked by what they discover.

The airplane had lost its sheen,

and in some places, it had been sandblasted quite well.

and in some places, it had been sandblasted quite well.

And all the decals and the paint had come off.

It really was very little to see until they

It really was very little to see until they

stripped the engines down.

The flight crew and investigators have never

The flight crew and investigators have never

seen anything like this before.

And their surprising discovery changes aviation

safety procedures forever.

safety procedures forever.

This was an event which was unique in aviation history.

The engines from British Airways Flight 9

are sent to their manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, in the UK.

are sent to their manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, in the UK.

Engineer Malcolm Grayburn and his team

are tasked with figuring out what caused them

are tasked with figuring out what caused them

all to mysteriously flame out.

Dad!

Dad!

The engine's on fire!

...and come back to life.

We did do a forensic analysis of the engines.

Grayburn is stunned by what he discovers.

Grayburn is stunned by what he discovers.

The engines were choked with fine dust, pieces of rock,

and sand.

and sand.

On close study, he discovers that the debris

is volcanic ash.

The evidence points to a clear suspect.

The evidence points to a clear suspect.

On the night of the flight, the Mount Galunggung volcano,

On the night of the flight, the Mount Galunggung volcano,

located just 100 miles southeast of Jakarta,

erupted unexpectedly.

erupted unexpectedly.

The enormous ash cloud rose miles high right into the path

The enormous ash cloud rose miles high right into the path

of British Airways Flight 9.

Never before had a volcanic cloud

Never before had a volcanic cloud

seriously affected an airplane.

Mayday, mayday, mayday!

We have lost all four engines.

We have lost all four engines.

A turbofan jet engine works by sucking

in enormous amounts of air.

in enormous amounts of air.

The air is then highly pressurized by the engine's

compressor.

This tightly packed air is mixed with fuel and ignited.

This tightly packed air is mixed with fuel and ignited.

The force of this reaction propels the jet

through the sky.

The temperature

in the combustion chamber where this ash is flowing through...

in the combustion chamber where this ash is flowing through...

around 2,000 degrees centigrade.

And so the volcanic ash, we know, melts at about 1,300,

And so the volcanic ash, we know, melts at about 1,300,

1,400 degrees.

But when the liquid ash reached deeper

But when the liquid ash reached deeper

into the engine, it cooled slightly, turning

into a sticky molten goo.

It attached itself to the engine and began choking it.

It attached itself to the engine and began choking it.

We got a fundamental disturbance of the airflow

We got a fundamental disturbance of the airflow

in the main core of the engine, which

caused the engine to backfire.

caused the engine to backfire.

Engine failure, number 4!

But if the engines were choked with ash,

how did they suddenly roar back to life?

how did they suddenly roar back to life?

Engine 3, back online!

What Grayburn discovers

What Grayburn discovers

next is that a remarkable piece of chemistry saved the plane.

As soon as you came out of the volcanic ash,

As soon as you came out of the volcanic ash,

everything cooled down.

It was enough for this stuff to break off and allow

the engines to restart.

the engines to restart.

I can't believe it.

Engines 1 and 2 both back online!

Engines 1 and 2 both back online!

The pilots of Flight 9 are celebrated as heroes

The pilots of Flight 9 are celebrated as heroes

for overcoming total engine failure

and guiding their plane and its passengers to safety,

and guiding their plane and its passengers to safety,

but their miraculous discovery also provokes a giant leap

forward in aviation safety.

forward in aviation safety.

Now, more than 30 years later, there's a worldwide system

in place to warn pilots when there

in place to warn pilots when there

is a risk of volcanic ash in the air,

so the aircraft can avoid this kind of hazard.

so the aircraft can avoid this kind of hazard.

It has worked wonderfully over the last few years.

Hey, I don't...

I don't... hey, there she is.

I don't... hey, there she is.

Hey, wassup?

But total engine failure happens

again just three years later.

again just three years later.

China Airlines Flight 006 cruises on autopilot

China Airlines Flight 006 cruises on autopilot

39,000 feet above the Pacific.

It was a routine commercial flight.

It was a routine commercial flight.

I sat there and read some books, went to sleep.

While many of the 251 passengers doze,

While many of the 251 passengers doze,

the plane nears its destination of Los Angeles, California.

the plane nears its destination of Los Angeles, California.

Sleep well?

In the cockpit, the experienced three-men flight

crew, led by Captain Min-Yuan Ho,

crew, led by Captain Min-Yuan Ho,

has amassed more than 38,000 flight hours.

has amassed more than 38,000 flight hours.

But as the crew prepares for an easy landing...

Engine 4 is giving us weak thrust.

Engine 4 is giving us weak thrust.

...the flight engineer spots something troubling.

There's a problem with one of the engines.

When the engine is throttled, it doesn't respond.

When the engine is throttled, it doesn't respond.

We're losing speed.

Then the strange situation

suddenly gets much worse.

suddenly gets much worse.

Engine 4 flamed out.

Engine four stops working completely.

Engine four stops working completely.

Take a look at engine-out procedures.

Work out a three-engine cruise altitude.

Yes, Captain.

Yes, Captain.

Without the fourth engine, the plane slows down.

Without the fourth engine, the plane slows down.

Airspeed 240.

Reignite engine 4.

Reignite engine 4.

Yes, Captain.

At 39,000 feet, there isn't much oxygen,

so the chances of a successful relight are slim.

so the chances of a successful relight are slim.

No response, Captain.

As the crew tries to restart their engine,

As the crew tries to restart their engine,

their plane slowly begins to roll to the right.

We're banking right, Captain, airspeed 230.

We're banking right, Captain, airspeed 230.

As the plane loses speed,

it's in danger of stalling.

it's in danger of stalling.

Altitude hold off.

Nose down.

Hoping to increase his speed,

Hoping to increase his speed,

Captain Ho tries pushing the plane's nose down.

Captain Ho tries pushing the plane's nose down.

Nothing the crew does seems to help.

Their jet is banking more and more steeply.

Their jet is banking more and more steeply.

I'm disengaging autopilot.

Captain Ho takes manual control of the aircraft,

Captain Ho takes manual control of the aircraft,

but he struggles as the plane veers into thick clouds.

He can't see the horizon.

The attitude direction indicators,

The attitude direction indicators,

or ADIs, instruments that normally would help

him keep the plane level with a horizon,

don't seem to be working.

don't seem to be working.

It's going out of limits!

Just minutes after engine number 4

Just minutes after engine number 4

stopped working, the China Airlines

flight suddenly stalls and begins falling from the sky.

flight suddenly stalls and begins falling from the sky.

A 747 jumbo jet is flipping upside down.

China Airlines Flight 006 plunges

China Airlines Flight 006 plunges

toward the Pacific Ocean.

People just popped up like popcorn, hitting the cabin.

People just popped up like popcorn, hitting the cabin.

In the cockpit, the flight engineer

struggles against the plane's wild motion

to restart his fourth engine.

to restart his fourth engine.

The G-forces are so powerful that the flight engineer is

pinned to the control pedestal.

pinned to the control pedestal.

Ignition.

But his attempt is unsuccessful.

But his attempt is unsuccessful.

Then the situation suddenly gets a lot worse.

Engines 1, 2, and 3 have no thrust!

Engines 1, 2, and 3 have no thrust!

No response, Captain!

No response, Captain!

42, 370, 360, 350.

42, 370, 360, 350.

In the cabin, the G-forces are punishing.

And I closed my eyes.

I thought I was gone.

And falling.

No response.

No response.

The engines have flamed out.

The stress of the dive tears the landing

gear doors off the plane.

In less than a minute, the plane drops almost 20,000 feet.

In less than a minute, the plane drops almost 20,000 feet.

Emergency!

Emergency!

The plane suddenly breaks free from the clouds.

I can see the horizon.

Altitude?

10,000 feet.

10,000 feet.

The captain uses the horizon

as a reference to level the plane just 30 seconds

as a reference to level the plane just 30 seconds

before they hit the ocean.

Now, the G-forces suddenly change direction.

Now, the G-forces suddenly change direction.

Passengers are pressed to the floor,

feeling five times their normal weight.

feeling five times their normal weight.

You know, the G-force was so strong.

And I weigh 200 pounds, so my weight was almost 1,200 pounds.

And I weigh 200 pounds, so my weight was almost 1,200 pounds.

It's a race against time.

And finally...

ADI's coming back.

...the plane starts to win.

ADI's coming in.

As mysteriously as the incident began,

As mysteriously as the incident began,

three of the plane's engines regain power.

three of the plane's engines regain power.

Engine 4 still negative.

Reignite engine 4.

Yes, captain.

Yes, captain.

Once again, the flight engineer tries

to reignite the fourth engine.

Engine 4 reignited.

Engine 4 reignited.

But now, for the first time in minutes,

the plane is flying under control.

the plane is flying under control.

They saved the airplane.

That was a masterpiece of flying.

That was a masterpiece of flying.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain speaking.

Is anyone hurt?

Is anyone hurt?

Do we have a doctor on board?

Captain Ho declares an emergency

Captain Ho declares an emergency

and diverts the flight to San Francisco.

He made one of the best landings I've ever seen.

He made one of the best landings I've ever seen.

I mean, it was just perfect touchdown.

On the ground, the full extent of the damage

to the plane shocks everyone.

Parts of the entire tailplane at the end

Parts of the entire tailplane at the end

were ripped off as though a tornado had come through.

were ripped off as though a tornado had come through.

Two dozen passengers have minor injuries.

A near disaster was avoided, but what had

A near disaster was avoided, but what had

gone wrong in the first place?

The National Transportation Safety

Board is on site that very day.

The cockpit voice recorder is sent to Washington,

but it's designed to tape over itself every 30 minutes.

but it's designed to tape over itself every 30 minutes.

None of what happened in the cockpit

during the terrifying plunge from the sky remains.

during the terrifying plunge from the sky remains.

Without a cockpit voice recorder,

we had to reconstruct what the crew said

we had to reconstruct what the crew said

and how they interpreted things and what was going

on in the cockpit to the best of our abilities

with the other data that was available to us.

with the other data that was available to us.

But the plane's flight data recorder, which suffered

intense electrical damage, has several gaps in the data log

intense electrical damage, has several gaps in the data log

that have to be painstakingly reconstructed.

that have to be painstakingly reconstructed.

In the meantime, investigators begin by inspecting

the plane's engines.

the plane's engines.

Despite the horrific dive to the sky,

engines 1, 2, and 3 are found to be in working order.

engines 1, 2, and 3 are found to be in working order.

Engine 4, the first engine to fail, gets special scrutiny.

Engine 4, the first engine to fail, gets special scrutiny.

They believed that the engine had flamed out

or that there was something seriously

wrong with the engine.

wrong with the engine.

After examining every inch of engine 4,

investigators determined that it was faulty.

investigators determined that it was faulty.

Engine 4 is giving us weak thrust.

Engine 4 is giving us weak thrust.

And at 39,000 feet, it wasn't

able to produce adequate thrust to keep

the faulty engine running.

the faulty engine running.

Engine 4 flamed out.

The loss of thrust on a four-engine airplane is a minor

The loss of thrust on a four-engine airplane is a minor

event, and the airplane will fly on three

engines with no difficulty.

Investigators are puzzled.

Investigators are puzzled.

If the 747 was never in immediate danger,

is it possible that the plane's swift plunge began somewhere

is it possible that the plane's swift plunge began somewhere

other than in the engines?

Before we took off.

Maybe that's it.

Maybe that's it.

Mm-hmm.

The crew of China Airlines

The crew of China Airlines

Flight 006 are brought in for intensive

interviews by the NTSB.

I heard the captain report the ADI was lost.

Without a cockpit voice recorder,

Without a cockpit voice recorder,

investigators rely on the pilot's statements

to piece together how a manageable problem

became a near catastrophe.

became a near catastrophe.

I've lost ADI.

The ADIs have malfunctioned.

It's going out of limits.

It's going out of limits.

When we started banking right, engine 4

was already flamed out.

was already flamed out.

We started to descend faster, and engines 1, 2, and 3 also

We started to descend faster, and engines 1, 2, and 3 also

failed.

Engines 1, 2, and 3 have lost power!

But the pilot's stories don't match the flight

data, which clearly shows that engines

data, which clearly shows that engines

1, 2, and 3 were running perfectly the entire flight.

1, 2, and 3 were running perfectly the entire flight.

They never lost thrust.

What could possibly have caused the plane to flip, twist,

What could possibly have caused the plane to flip, twist,

and hurtle toward the sea?

After months of analyzing the flight data and pilot

After months of analyzing the flight data and pilot

interviews, the NTSB can finally piece

together the series of events that led to this near disaster.

together the series of events that led to this near disaster.

Just after 10:00 Pacific time, the flight engineer

Just after 10:00 Pacific time, the flight engineer

spots the engine trouble.

Engine 4 is giving us weak thrust.

He struggles to fix the problem,

but investigators discover he misses a basic step.

but investigators discover he misses a basic step.

He leaves the engine's bleed air valve open.

He leaves the engine's bleed air valve open.

The bleed air valve regulates the flow

of compressed air from the engines into the cabin.

of compressed air from the engines into the cabin.

When an engine isn't working properly,

the valve is supposed to be closed,

the valve is supposed to be closed,

so the engine can use all available air to restart.

It's a little puzzling

It's a little puzzling

that the flight engineer didn't shut off bleed air.

The end result is that the engine which is slow to start

The end result is that the engine which is slow to start

won't start at all.

Unwittingly, the flight engineer

Unwittingly, the flight engineer

has started a ticking clock.

Engine 4 is slowly losing its ability to stay lit.

Engine 4 is slowly losing its ability to stay lit.

We're losing speed.

With more engine power on the left wing

than on the right, the China Airlines flight begins turning.

than on the right, the China Airlines flight begins turning.

The proper thing to do would have

been to step on the rudder.

That would have produced a twisting force, so to speak,

That would have produced a twisting force, so to speak,

that would have overcome the imbalance of the engines.

that would have overcome the imbalance of the engines.

Instead of adjusting the rudder himself,

Captain Ho continues to let the autopilot fly the jet.

Captain Ho continues to let the autopilot fly the jet.

But the autopilot isn't designed to move the rudder.

The autopilot can adjust the ailerons and spoilers

The autopilot can adjust the ailerons and spoilers

in the plane's wings, but these flaps

aren't strong enough to overcome the imbalance

that the plane is experiencing.

that the plane is experiencing.

I'm disengaging autopilot.

By the time Captain Ho takes

manual control of the plane, it's already banking alarmingly

manual control of the plane, it's already banking alarmingly

to the right.

I've lost ADI.

I've lost ADI.

While he fights for control,

the 747 flips onto its back and enters a vertical nosedive.

the 747 flips onto its back and enters a vertical nosedive.

Moments later, as G-forces rapidly increase,

Moments later, as G-forces rapidly increase,

the flight engineer makes another enormous mistake.

We started to descend faster, and engines 1, 2, and 3 also

We started to descend faster, and engines 1, 2, and 3 also

failed.

Engines 1, 2, and 3 have lost power.

Engines 1, 2, and 3 have lost power.

But the engines are perfectly fine.

But the engines are perfectly fine.

Investigators now know the throttles were deliberately

set to idle in an attempt to slow the jet's furious fall,

set to idle in an attempt to slow the jet's furious fall,

something the flight engineer doesn't

notice in the chaotic dive.

notice in the chaotic dive.

If he had not seen the captain pull the... the power

to idle on the...

the engines, he would reasonably assume

the engines, he would reasonably assume

that the fact that they went to idle

was a problem rather than intentional.

An investigation that starts with faulty engines reveals

An investigation that starts with faulty engines reveals

that, in fact, a chain of mistakes

by the crew puts Flight 006 just moments from certain death.

by the crew puts Flight 006 just moments from certain death.

The crew didn't behave as they should have behaved...

The crew didn't behave as they should have behaved...

pilot error.

But whatever mistakes the flight crew made...

ADI's coming in.

...they still achieved the ultimate goal.

The one big thing they did right is they

The one big thing they did right is they

saved the airplane.

China Airlines 006 is a extreme

example of why high-altitude upset recovery training is

example of why high-altitude upset recovery training is

so important.

It became a learning experience based on what this crew did.

It became a learning experience based on what this crew did.

When an aircraft loses engine power,

the response must be quick, concise, and efficient.

the response must be quick, concise, and efficient.

I can't believe it.

We made it.

When you've got an engine problem,

When you've got an engine problem,

when you've lost an engine...

Dad!

The engine's on fire!

...the only thing you have to rely on is literally

...the only thing you have to rely on is literally

your training as a pilot.

I can see the horizon.

And it makes all the difference in the world.

And it makes all the difference in the world.