Original subtitles

High above the French Alps,

the pilots of a four-engine aircraft

the pilots of a four-engine aircraft

lose two of their engines.

671, we have fire on board.

I confirm, fire on board.

I confirm, fire on board.

Flying is hours and hours of boredom punctuated

by moments of stark terror.

Pull up!

Pull up!

Pulling up.

In the skies over Portugal,

the pilots of a jetliner are unable to control

the pilots of a jetliner are unable to control

their aircraft.

Any normal human being would have said,

well, this is it.

An explosion knocks out flight controls.

Can't turn using the controls.

And I thought, right there, I'm going to die now.

Pull.

Three planes in crisis.

Three planes in crisis.

Three crews pushed to their limit.

In every case, these were seemingly impossible odds.

In every case, these were seemingly impossible odds.

They had a very low chance of success.

Three investigations try

Three investigations try

to understand what turned each flight into a desperate

fight for survival.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we are starting our approach.

We lost both engines.

We lost both engines.

Mask over your nose, emergency descent.

Mayday, Mayday.

Brace for impact.

It's gonna crash!

Trans Air Flight 671 is preparing for takeoff

Trans Air Flight 671 is preparing for takeoff

at Luxembourg Airport.

Forecast says we'll get some weather in an hour.

Forecast says we'll get some weather in an hour.

As we cross over the Alps.

Typical.

Typical.

Captain Ingemar Berglund

is a Swedish pilot who has been flying Boeing

707 aircraft for over a decade.

707 aircraft for over a decade.

The captain had been a military pilot.

And then he'd been on air transport

And then he'd been on air transport

flying for most of his working life.

Double 671,

you are cleared for takeoff.

Runway 2-4.

Runway 2-4.

671 cleared for takeoff, roger.

First Officer Martin Emery

First Officer Martin Emery

is an accomplished British pilot who has worked as an instructor

and an air traffic controller.

and an air traffic controller.

Ready to go.

We were typically night-stop, minimum rest,

and service the aircraft, refuel it, ready for the flight.

and service the aircraft, refuel it, ready for the flight.

The difference between this flight

and the other similar flights that we've done,

this flight was in daylight.

this flight was in daylight.

V1170, rotate.

V1170, rotate.

Assisting the pilots is Flight Engineer Terry Boon.

Assisting the pilots is Flight Engineer Terry Boon.

He came from a similar background

of cargo charter flying, passenger charter flying.

He had extensive flight time on the Boeing 707.

He had extensive flight time on the Boeing 707.

He knew all the routes.

The Boeing 707 cargo plane

The Boeing 707 cargo plane

would fly 7 hours from Luxembourg to Kano, Nigeria.

would fly 7 hours from Luxembourg to Kano, Nigeria.

The Boeing 707 was one of the best aircraft that led the way

to long-haul flying for people.

to long-haul flying for people.

Above the Alps, the weather deteriorates.

Above the Alps, the weather deteriorates.

Flight 671 approaches its cruising altitude.

Flight 671 approaches its cruising altitude.

Suddenly, it rolls to the right.

Suddenly, it rolls to the right.

The captain uses all his strength to level the plane.

The captain uses all his strength to level the plane.

Had the captain not

reacted as quickly as he did, the aircraft

could have inverted.

could have inverted.

Engine fire!

Engines 3 and 4 show signs of fire.

Engines 3 and 4 show signs of fire.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, request

descend for radar landing.

Roger.

Turn left, heading south to Marseille.

Turn left, heading south to Marseille.

An air traffic controller

directs Flight 671 to Marseille airport, 75 miles away.

directs Flight 671 to Marseille airport, 75 miles away.

You turn left 180.

You turn left 180.

OK.

There was immense relief

There was immense relief

as they descended out of the cloud

and finally could see the mountains around them.

and finally could see the mountains around them.

But when the first officer inspects the right wing,

the relief is short lived.

the relief is short lived.

We've lost both engines on the right wing.

What?

Both engines?

Both engines?

Just about the worst thing

that can happen in an airliner is to have an engine

that can happen in an airliner is to have an engine

depart from the aircraft.

The only thing worse than that would be to have two engines

The only thing worse than that would be to have two engines

depart from your aircraft.

With only the left engines functioning,

controlling the plane is extremely difficult.

controlling the plane is extremely difficult.

When you've lost both engines from the right wing

and still have a lot of thrust from the engines

and still have a lot of thrust from the engines

on the left wing, that causes the airplane to turn and to roll

on the left wing, that causes the airplane to turn and to roll

very powerfully to the right.

Getting the airplane to turn left

is a huge ask under these circumstances

is a huge ask under these circumstances

We turn 180.

Yeah, I'm trying.

Yeah, I'm trying.

It's virtually at the limit of physical capability

It's virtually at the limit of physical capability

for the captain.

Captain Berglund manages

Captain Berglund manages

to turn the plane toward Marseille,

then reduces power in the two left engines.

then reduces power in the two left engines.

They had to reduce the power

on the left engines to give themselves

a chance of staying upright and going in the direction they

a chance of staying upright and going in the direction they

wanted to go in.

Unfortunately, this of course, meant they

Unfortunately, this of course, meant they

then descended more rapidly.

Airspeed isn't the crew's only concern.

I really needed the weather at Marseille

I really needed the weather at Marseille

to make a plan for an approach to land,

either direct or a circuit or whatever we could do.

either direct or a circuit or whatever we could do.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, 671, request weather.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, 671, request weather.

It's raining on the airfield.

stratocumulus 500 feet.

stratocumulus 500 feet.

No, no, no.

Thunderclouds and the risk of turbulence

will make a difficult landing even harder.

will make a difficult landing even harder.

We were pushed to even get there

with the height available.

And with thunderstorm activity, it was really a no-go.

And with thunderstorm activity, it was really a no-go.

We had no plan B at that point.

We had no plan B at that point.

That was a nasty moment.

What we wanted was a runway and we wanted it quickly.

But the crew gets a break.

I looked through just cloud underneath us,

and I glimpsed some ribbon black tarmac.

and I glimpsed some ribbon black tarmac.

It was a runway.

Cargo 671, we have an airfield ahead.

What is the airfield?

What is the airfield?

It is a military airfield at your 12:00 for 6 miles.

It is a military airfield at your 12:00 for 6 miles.

Military airfield, mayday, traffic 671.

The first officer contacts air traffic

The first officer contacts air traffic

control at Istres Airport.

671, this is Istres.

671, this is Istres.

Istres-Le Tube Air Base

is just northwest of Marseille.

is just northwest of Marseille.

As they start their turn, the crew lowers the plane's flaps.

The wheels were down and locked

and the flaps were coming down so Captain Berglund

could have more roll control.

could have more roll control.

But as soon as they extend

the flaps, disaster strikes.

the flaps, disaster strikes.

Check.

There was another big explosion,

There was another big explosion,

which tried to roll us right again.

Turn left.

Turn left.

Turn left.

I'm trying.

Turn left to land. Left turn.

Turn left to land. Left turn.

Yeah.

We missed the runway.

Oh, god.

Now they have an even bigger challenge.

671, we have fire on board.

I confirm, fire on board.

I confirm, fire on board.

We need another runway.

The crew decides to circle back and land

The crew decides to circle back and land

on the runway's opposite end.

But the captain no longer has the strength

But the captain no longer has the strength

to make the turn on his own.

The first officer has an idea.

The first officer has an idea.

Adjusting the throttles will help

turn the plane to the runway.

turn the plane to the runway.

In bringing back number 1, advancing number 2,

we actually turned the airplane left

we actually turned the airplane left

and he could fly it going towards the runway,

which was a miracle.

It's a race to get the plane on the ground

It's a race to get the plane on the ground

before the wing is incinerated.

The plane is finally on the ground.

But now the landing gear brakes fail.

But now the landing gear brakes fail.

I'll just reverse engine 2.

They used reverse thrust on the inboard left engine,

the number 2 engine, which did help reduce

the number 2 engine, which did help reduce

their galloping speed, but pulled the aeroplane

off the runway to the left.

off the runway to the left.

And lucky that was.

All I can say is thank goodness that we

were flying in the early morning on this flight.

were flying in the early morning on this flight.

Thanks to its crew, Flight 671 was able to land

Thanks to its crew, Flight 671 was able to land

with only two working engines.

The question now is what happened to the other two.

The question now is what happened to the other two.

The damaged 707 is moved to a hangar

to be examined by the BEA, France's

to be examined by the BEA, France's

air investigation authority.

It's faced with an important question.

It's faced with an important question.

How did two engines fall off Flight 671?

To actually have two of the four engines fall off the wing,

To actually have two of the four engines fall off the wing,

virtually unheard of in the history of aviation.

virtually unheard of in the history of aviation.

Investigators also need to know

what caused the raging fire.

what caused the raging fire.

I've got something.

They find the answer inside the 707's left wing.

They find the answer inside the 707's left wing.

These wires from the cable loom short circuited.

These wires from the cable loom short circuited.

When the engines came away from the wing,

they tore with them electrical wiring.

they tore with them electrical wiring.

Some of that wiring still had power available.

Some of that wiring still had power available.

When the flaps were extended, leaking fuel

contacted live wires and ignited.

contacted live wires and ignited.

Investigators are counting on the plane's flight data recorder

Investigators are counting on the plane's flight data recorder

to provide more information.

So it looks like engines 3 and 4 were producing

So it looks like engines 3 and 4 were producing

thrust right up until here.

The flight data recorder basically

The flight data recorder basically

showed the engines operating as normal

showed the engines operating as normal

when they left the aircraft.

Here's the flight path.

The BEA sends out a team to search for the engines

The BEA sends out a team to search for the engines

along the plane's route.

Within 24 hours, they are discovered near one another.

Within 24 hours, they are discovered near one another.

Investigators found the engines about 800 meters apart.

Investigators found the engines about 800 meters apart.

That's very close.

That's very close.

That suggests the engine's detached

at about the same time.

at about the same time.

While they wait for the engines, the team considers what

role weather might have played.

role weather might have played.

They turned to the crew for further insight.

You said you were climbing to avoid turbulence.

You said you were climbing to avoid turbulence.

How bad was it?

It was severe.

I wouldn't want to go through that again.

Investigators wonder if that turbulence

Investigators wonder if that turbulence

was severe enough to tear the engines off the 707.

was severe enough to tear the engines off the 707.

Let's see what the engines can tell us.

Hey, boss.

The investigation gets a new clue.

The investigation gets a new clue.

You see this dent on engine 4?

You see this dent on engine 4?

Its shape and diameter match a dent on engine 3.

And so does this white paint.

And so does this white paint.

You could tell from the shape of the damage

and from transfer of white paint from one engine

and from transfer of white paint from one engine

to the other engine that the number 3 had struck the number 4

to the other engine that the number 3 had struck the number 4

engine and separated it.

Investigators now need to find out what

Investigators now need to find out what

caused engine three to detach.

Each engine is attached to a pylon.

Each engine is attached to a pylon.

The pylon is then bolted to the wing using four large fittings.

The pylon is then bolted to the wing using four large fittings.

During Flight 671, all four fittings broke on engine number

3, but one fitting stands out.

3, but one fitting stands out.

Now, three of the four fittings broke like this one.

Now, three of the four fittings broke like this one.

You can see from the surface they broke from stress.

This midspar fitting is different.

There's some distortion here.

There's some distortion here.

It likely broke from a fatigue fraction.

Over time, the inboard midspar fitting on engine 3

Over time, the inboard midspar fitting on engine 3

was weakened because of a crack caused by metal fatigue.

was weakened because of a crack caused by metal fatigue.

When it snapped off in severe turbulence,

the other fittings broke too.

Investigators examine the weakened fitting

with an electron microscope.

What about those, those little marks?

What about those, those little marks?

Those are corrosion pit marks.

Corrosion pits are tiny holes that appear in metal after water

Corrosion pits are tiny holes that appear in metal after water

has gained access to that metal and caused

has gained access to that metal and caused

corrosion to take place.

And in this case, there were corrosion pits

And in this case, there were corrosion pits

that grew into one crack and eventually

fractured the midspar fitting.

fractured the midspar fitting.

So how did the maintenance team miss it?

When they review maintenance records,

the team learns that the plane passed

the team learns that the plane passed

two maintenance checks in a two-year period

prior to the incident.

The maintenance check should have caught the problem.

The maintenance check should have caught the problem.

Was there an issue with the inspection process?

Investigators interview a maintenance

supervisor about how engine fittings

are approved for flight.

are approved for flight.

So how do you inspect the fitting?

You're supposed to carry out a close visual inspection

You're supposed to carry out a close visual inspection

for cracks on the exposed surfaces of the fitting and...

And?

Well, cracks can start on the inside of the fitting.

So why is that a problem?

Well, it's a problem because you can't see

Well, it's a problem because you can't see

inside unless you remove the engine and the pylon

from the wing.

Boeing did not require disassembly

Boeing did not require disassembly

of the midspar fitting.

Their risk assessment basically said it's not

Their risk assessment basically said it's not

worth it on this old airframe.

worth it on this old airframe.

So there could be 707s out there with cracks in this

fitting that no one could see?

Yeah.

By 1992, most 707s were considered

By 1992, most 707s were considered

too old to fly passengers and were

converted to freight transport.

We need to make sure this doesn't happen again.

We need to make sure this doesn't happen again.

The investigation concludes that a hidden fracture

in the midspar fitting almost took the lives of the crew

in the midspar fitting almost took the lives of the crew

on Trans-Air Flight 671.

If not for the heroics of that crew,

If not for the heroics of that crew,

the plane would never have made it to the airport at Istres.

The crew on this flight

were really thinking about their aircraft

were really thinking about their aircraft

almost as a living thing, that we

don't want to push it to the point where this body breaks.

They were doing everything they could

to save this very damaged plane by not putting too

many physical stresses on it.

many physical stresses on it.

It shows an awful lot about the spirit

It shows an awful lot about the spirit

of pilots and survival that they somehow coalesced together.

The BEA recommends that inspections of the midspar

fittings be modified to enable the detection of hidden cracks.

fittings be modified to enable the detection of hidden cracks.

The FAA decided to mandate replacement

The FAA decided to mandate replacement

of the midspar fittings with a new and improved midspar

fitting, which did not require inspections.

fitting, which did not require inspections.

In 1992, the crew of Trans-Air Cargo 671

In 1992, the crew of Trans-Air Cargo 671

received the Hugh Gordon-Burge Award

for Outstanding Airmanship.

for Outstanding Airmanship.

It's not a matter of sitting there going,

"which button do I push?"

"which button do I push?"

It's a matter of being able to try

to wrest the airplane into doing something

that you want it to do.

that you want it to do.

Whether you called it pure professionalism,

whether you called it heroism, they brought their skills

to bear on the situation.

to bear on the situation.

They survived.

They succeeded.

When another crew flying over Portugal

When another crew flying over Portugal

loses complete control of their airplane,

they must ignore their instincts to get the plane on the ground.

Air Astana Flight 1388 prepares for takeoff

from Alverca do Ribatejo, an air base 15 miles

from Alverca do Ribatejo, an air base 15 miles

northeast of Lisbon, Portugal.

northeast of Lisbon, Portugal.

Before takeoff checklist.

Roger.

40-year-old Vyacheslav Aushev is the captain.

40-year-old Vyacheslav Aushev is the captain.

The veteran pilot has been flying with Air

Astana for seven years.

Astana for seven years.

Flaps.

The first officer is 32-year-old

Bauyrzhan Karasholakov.

Bauyrzhan Karasholakov.

Set for takeoff.

Set for takeoff.

There's also an extra pilot,

26-year-old Sergey Sokolov.

That day, I was a relief pilot because the flight was long

That day, I was a relief pilot because the flight was long

and I could switch my colleague if somebody tired.

and I could switch my colleague if somebody tired.

After undergoing a month of maintenance work

in Portugal, today's 10-hour flight will

in Portugal, today's 10-hour flight will

return the plane to Air Astana's home base of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

return the plane to Air Astana's home base of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The only passengers are three maintenance

staff employed by Air Astana.

staff employed by Air Astana.

The plane is a Brazilian-made Embraer

The plane is a Brazilian-made Embraer

E190, a narrow-bodied, single-aisle,

twin-engine aircraft.

twin-engine aircraft.

B1, rotate.

B1, rotate.

The flight takes off just after 1:30 PM.

The flight takes off just after 1:30 PM.

Seconds later...

What the...

Turbulence forces the plane to bank hard to the left,

Turbulence forces the plane to bank hard to the left,

and then to the right.

I have no control.

Maybe it's the control column.

Maybe it's the control column.

Engage autopilot.

Autopilot on.

Autopilot on.

It was reasonable to expect that the autopilot will

look after it for the next phase of flight.

look after it for the next phase of flight.

Autopilot failed.

Autopilot failed.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, climbing

to 4,000 feet on heading 060.

to 4,000 feet on heading 060.

Kilo, Zulu, Romeo, 1388.

Roger, Mayday.

We have to get back to the airport.

Agreed.

But heading back to the airport

will be an enormous challenge.

will be an enormous challenge.

The difficulty this crew had was they couldn't

steer the airplane in any way.

So to get back to the airport with the best will in the world

So to get back to the airport with the best will in the world

wasn't going to happen.

Suddenly, the plane goes into a dive.

Suddenly, the plane goes into a dive.

Pull up!

Pulling up.

Pulling up.

The altimeter unwinds so quickly it's unreadable.

Keep it up.

We've got this.

We've got this.

Sergey, we need power.

The extreme G-Force could break the plane apart.

The extreme G-Force could break the plane apart.

8,000 feet and climbing.

8,000 feet and climbing.

Well done.

The pilots can only guess what's wrong.

The pilots can only guess what's wrong.

One of the technicians takes water to the exhausted pilots.

One of the technicians takes water to the exhausted pilots.

What do you know about the maintenance

that was done on this aircraft?

We did a lot of work, replaced some parts, too.

We did a lot of work, replaced some parts, too.

Anything flight control related?

We ordered new aileron cables.

When we learned that aileron cables were changed,

we realized the possible cause of the problem.

Ailerons are flight control surfaces

Ailerons are flight control surfaces

on the ends of each wing.

They pivot up and down to help control an aircraft's roll.

They pivot up and down to help control an aircraft's roll.

Captain Aushev sends the technician for a visual check.

Captain Aushev sends the technician for a visual check.

Inputting ailerons right.

Inputting ailerons right.

As the captain turns the control column to the right,

the right wing aileron should lift.

the right wing aileron should lift.

Aileron going down.

The ailerons are reversed.

With opposite inputs, we might be able to control the aircraft.

With opposite inputs, we might be able to control the aircraft.

Now we know what's happening,

Now we know what's happening,

let's start to work with this.

OK, let's fly this aircraft oppositely.

If you want to turn left, turn to the right.

If you want to turn left, turn to the right.

You have to learn a completely

You have to learn a completely

different process against the ingrained

teaching you've already had.

And that's very difficult.

This is going to take some getting used to.

After struggling for nearly an hour,

a Portuguese Air Force escort arrives.

a Portuguese Air Force escort arrives.

Asta line 1388, you have two F-16s reaching your position.

They were having trouble navigating.

They were having trouble navigating.

And so we hoped that with the guidance of the F-16s,

they could reach an area with better weather conditions.

they could reach an area with better weather conditions.

A fighter pilot directs

the crew to Beja, a military airport 70 miles to the south.

the crew to Beja, a military airport 70 miles to the south.

The reversed controls make flying

difficult, but not impossible.

difficult, but not impossible.

We understood that landing will not be easy.

Less than a thousand feet

from the runway, the pilot struggled

from the runway, the pilot struggled

to keep the plane level.

The aircraft begins to veer away from the runway.

The aircraft begins to veer away from the runway.

Go around.

Going around.

With the captain and the first officer exhausted,

the relief pilot takes the controls for another attempt.

the relief pilot takes the controls for another attempt.

1,000.

1,000.

We're drifting too far to the left.

I'm trying to get back to center.

The captain quickly improvises an alternate plan.

The captain quickly improvises an alternate plan.

We can make it to the other runway there, 1-9 Left.

We can make it to the other runway there, 1-9 Left.

I see it.

I'll try.

Can we land on the left runway?

- AIR TRAFFIC - Confirmed,

- AIR TRAFFIC - Confirmed,

clear to land on left runway.

Roger.

Here we go.

After a grueling two hours in the air,

After a grueling two hours in the air,

Flight 1388 lands safely in Beja.

We did it.

Now it's up to investigators

Now it's up to investigators

to determine what went wrong.

Within two hours of Air Astana Flight 1388's

emergency landing, investigators from the Portuguese Safety

emergency landing, investigators from the Portuguese Safety

Investigation Authority arrive at Beja Air

Base and interview the crew.

Base and interview the crew.

Were there any alerts or indications of what went wrong?

No, but one of the maintenance team on board

No, but one of the maintenance team on board

remembers ordering new aileron cables for the aircraft.

So we did a visual inspection.

So we did a visual inspection.

And it seems that ailerons were moving in reverse.

The investigators need to verify the report.

The investigators need to verify the report.

OK, show us the left aileron.

The inputs are indeed reversed, up is down.

The inputs are indeed reversed, up is down.

Plane would have been next to impossible to control.

The next big question the investigation was facing

The next big question the investigation was facing

was "how did this happen?"

They meet with the maintenance

supervisor who oversaw the plane's overhaul in Lisbon.

supervisor who oversaw the plane's overhaul in Lisbon.

Why did the plane require aileron maintenance service?

Why did the plane require aileron maintenance service?

The aileron cables were old.

Four cables moved the ailerons up and down.

Four cables moved the ailerons up and down.

Each cable moves through a pulley system.

Friction on the pulleys can cause

Friction on the pulleys can cause

the cables to wear prematurely.

Operator says, complaining to Embraer about the premature wear

Operator says, complaining to Embraer about the premature wear

on the stainless steel cables.

So Embraer came up with a design fix to this issue.

So Embraer came up with a design fix to this issue.

And the aircraft was being refitted

with a new contactless system.

with a new contactless system.

Instead of pulleys to guide the cables

through the wing, the new installation

through the wing, the new installation

uses square metal frames that minimize

wear caused by friction.

And what did the structures team do next?

And what did the structures team do next?

They reinstalled the old cables.

Is it possible that they inverted the old cables

when they reinstalled them?

when they reinstalled them?

It's possible.

When you're changing cables on an aileron system,

When you're changing cables on an aileron system,

or you're changing cables on a pitch control system,

that's not something that mechanics on a maintenance line

that's not something that mechanics on a maintenance line

will be familiar with.

And so it's really important that the instructions

And so it's really important that the instructions

be absolutely accurate.

Investigators refer to maintenance records

Investigators refer to maintenance records

to see if anyone ensured the cables were installed correctly.

On October 26, they finished the additional maintenance

On October 26, they finished the additional maintenance

and powered up the plane.

They got a fault warning in the cockpit.

They go back to the maintenance supervisor.

How did they resolve the error message?

How did they resolve the error message?

They replaced the flight control computers.

They replaced the flight control computers.

When they powered up the plane, the error message was gone.

When they powered up the plane, the error message was gone.

When those four flight control modules were

replaced, the message disappeared and the plane

replaced, the message disappeared and the plane

was cleared to fly.

Did you test the ailerons after that

Did you test the ailerons after that

Sure did.

We checked all the flight controls.

What about a visual check?

Absolutely, they were moving up and down, no problem.

Absolutely, they were moving up and down, no problem.

Did they check to see that they were

moving in the right direction?

moving in the right direction?

I'm sorry.

I'm not sure if they did or not.

No one really noticed that the ailerons

were moving in the opposite direction

were moving in the opposite direction

to what is being commanded.

Investigators finally understand.

Investigators finally understand.

Mistakes on the ground resulted in danger in the air.

Mistakes on the ground resulted in danger in the air.

What's happening?

I've never felt anything like this before.

An absolutely unsolvable, unfathomable,

and unexpected situation.

and unexpected situation.

Maintenance guys zeroed into the fact that we went to the left,

Maintenance guys zeroed into the fact that we went to the left,

it was going to the right.

That was the key that got them back.

The really impressive thing

is just how quickly they settle down

to work it through logically.

to work it through logically.

They did really well.

As a result of this accident and investigation,

As a result of this accident and investigation,

several safety changes are made.

New procedures were made for checking

the flight controls, including making sure the correct movement

the flight controls, including making sure the correct movement

of the ailerons.

It was an example of the kind of training

and professionalism that crews can transition from

a normal flight to a flight with a very serious emergency.

a normal flight to a flight with a very serious emergency.

Another crew must also make heroic decisions

Another crew must also make heroic decisions

when an explosion threatens the lives

of all 293 people on board.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.

I expect we'll be landing at Narita Airport in 2 hours time.

I expect we'll be landing at Narita Airport in 2 hours time.

A Philippines airline Boeing 747 is cruising at 35,000

A Philippines airline Boeing 747 is cruising at 35,000

en route to Tokyo, Japan.

Flight 434 is carrying 273 passengers.

On the flight deck, Captain Ed Reyes

On the flight deck, Captain Ed Reyes

is assisted By First officer Jaime Herrera and Systems

Engineer Dexter Comendador.

Engineer Dexter Comendador.

Reyes and Comendador are both former Air Force pilots.

Reyes and Comendador are both former Air Force pilots.

The flight began in Manila and made a stop at the Philippines

resort of Cebu.

resort of Cebu.

The jet is now nearing the Japanese archipelago.

But 3 hours into the flight, a frightening sound

But 3 hours into the flight, a frightening sound

is heard in the cabin.

I thought, you know, I think I'm going to die now.

Then, after that, I have to do what I had to do.

Then, after that, I have to do what I had to do.

The plane banks hard to the right.

Oh, I've lost control.

I have control.

I have control.

Dex, check the pressurization loss.

Be prepared.

Checking QRH for rapid loss pressurization.

Checking QRH for rapid loss pressurization.

The autopilot is still functioning.

It corrects the roll.

Get me some blankets here.

Please, sit down and fasten your seat belts.

Please, sit down and fasten your seat belts.

Hello, Captain.

OK, keep the passengers calm.

OK, keep the passengers calm.

Make sure they stay in their seats.

There's been an explosion in row 26, one dead, several injured,

There's been an explosion in row 26, one dead, several injured,

and the cabin's full of smoke.

Then I said, OK, I'm going to try to turn the airplane using

the autopilot.

But there was no reaction, whether I

But there was no reaction, whether I

tried it to make it go down or up or left

and right turns, no reaction.

and right turns, no reaction.

I said, now we have a problem.

Naha, PAL 434 Heavy declaring emergency.

Naha, PAL 434 Heavy declaring emergency.

Explosion on board.

We have casualties.

Requesting emergency landing at Naha.

Requesting emergency landing at Naha.

We will need full emergency services on landing.

Naha, on the Japanese island of Okinawa,

Naha, on the Japanese island of Okinawa,

is 40 miles to the west and has the closest

airport suitable for an emergency landing.

I can't turn using the controls.

The blast has knocked out some of the aircraft's

The blast has knocked out some of the aircraft's

flight controls.

Captain Reyes cannot tell which ones.

So while we were descending on low speed,

So while we were descending on low speed,

I tried to test the flight controls.

And there are some little reactions.

And there are some little reactions.

We got to turn.

We'll have to use differential power.

Disengage auto throttle, pull back 3 and 4.

Disengage auto throttle, pull back 3 and 4.

By increasing thrust to the engines

on the left-hand side of the plane

on the left-hand side of the plane

and reducing it to the engines on the right,

Captain Reyes forces the aircraft to circle right.

Captain Reyes forces the aircraft to circle right.

Like the pilots of Trans-Air 671,

Captain Reyes steers his aircraft with the tools

he has available.

An asymmetric thrust is literally

An asymmetric thrust is literally

you work one engine on one side of the plane

you work one engine on one side of the plane

against another engine on the other side of the plane.

Asymmetric thrust has been able to save a few planes

Asymmetric thrust has been able to save a few planes

from disasters in history.

Speed 225.

Speed 225.

OK, she's turning.

Within minutes, the airport is in sight.

Within minutes, the airport is in sight.

Reyes lines up for final approach.

Three greens, sir.

Three greens, sir.

I'm disconnecting the autopilot

and landing manually, OK?

Flaps 30.

Flaps 30.

Reset.

Help me with the elevator.

When I say push, I want you to push.

OK, 200, slightly left.

Correcting, push.

Correcting, push.

100, 50, 30, power off.

100, 50, 30, power off.

Pull.

Your last command was, pull.

Yeah, my last command was "pull."

Yeah, my last command was "pull."

PAL Flight 434 slows to a stop.

PAL Flight 434 slows to a stop.

Despite the loss of many of their flight controls,

the pilots have landed their plane safely.

the pilots have landed their plane safely.

It's a remarkable feat.

It's a remarkable feat.

The bomb killed the passenger in seat 26K and injured another 10.

The bomb killed the passenger in seat 26K and injured another 10.

But the rest of the plane's passengers and crew are safe.

Investigators from the Okinawa Police Department arrive.

Investigators from the Okinawa Police Department arrive.

They need to understand what happened on board the flight.

They need to understand what happened on board the flight.

They quickly determine that the explosion severed the steel

They quickly determine that the explosion severed the steel

cables directly above seat 26K, cables that control the rudder

cables directly above seat 26K, cables that control the rudder

and elevator and the co-pilot's control of the right aileron.

and elevator and the co-pilot's control of the right aileron.

The downward force also blew a hole in the floor,

The downward force also blew a hole in the floor,

which could have ignited the vapors

in the fuel tank of most 747s.

But on this flight, seat 26K was not located above the tank.

But on this flight, seat 26K was not located above the tank.

Fortunately, for us, we took a different version of the 747

Fortunately, for us, we took a different version of the 747

that day.

And that specific seat for that version

And that specific seat for that version

was two seats forward of the center tank.

The Okinawa forensic investigators

immediately start collecting evidence from the explosion.

immediately start collecting evidence from the explosion.

They begin with the largest fragments of debris

They begin with the largest fragments of debris

and then systematically work their way

down until the smallest particles

are retrieved by vacuum.

are retrieved by vacuum.

They separate bits of metal, plastic,

and electrical wire that do not belong to the plane.

and electrical wire that do not belong to the plane.

One piece is a modified digital wristwatch.

One piece is a modified digital wristwatch.

Another is a 9-volt battery.

Investigators quickly determined that a bomb

Investigators quickly determined that a bomb

exploded beneath seat 26K.

exploded beneath seat 26K.

The question is, who planted it.

Investigators examine fragments of the bomb

that exploded on Flight 434.

that exploded on Flight 434.

They learn that the 9-volt battery they found is

only sold in the Philippines.

only sold in the Philippines.

That suggests that the bomber may be based there.

That suggests that the bomber may be based there.

Weeks pass without any progress in the case.

Then, a month after the explosion, a call to police

Then, a month after the explosion, a call to police

leads to a bomb factory in a Manila apartment

and the capture of a suspect.

and the capture of a suspect.

News of the raid reaches FBI Special Agent

Frank Pellegrino in New York City.

Frank Pellegrino in New York City.

For two years, he has been hunting

a terrorist named Ramzi Yousef.

a terrorist named Ramzi Yousef.

At the time, he was the biggest fugitive around.

Ramzi Yousef is being sought internationally

Ramzi Yousef is being sought internationally

for his role in the 1993 bomb explosion

in the garage of New York's World Trade Center.

in the garage of New York's World Trade Center.

Police are able to tie the bomb factory in the Manila apartment

Police are able to tie the bomb factory in the Manila apartment

to the bombing of PAL 434.

There was a similarity between the watches

There was a similarity between the watches

that were found in the apartment and the type of watch that

was used in Okinawa.

was used in Okinawa.

The way that the timing device was hidden inside the Casio

watch and very worrisome.

watch and very worrisome.

But can they tie the bomb factory to Yousef?

But can they tie the bomb factory to Yousef?

Police check for fingerprints and find

Police check for fingerprints and find

a match for Ramzi Yousef.

Now investigators need to know, how exactly did Ramzi Yousef

Now investigators need to know, how exactly did Ramzi Yousef

get the bomb onto the plane?

A suspect arrested at the bomb factory

A suspect arrested at the bomb factory

is identified as Abdul Hakim Murad.

He admits to helping Yousef build bombs.

He admits to helping Yousef build bombs.

And 67 days after his arrest, he finally divulges how Yousef

And 67 days after his arrest, he finally divulges how Yousef

got the bomb on Flight 434.

Murad tells investigators that Yousef

Murad tells investigators that Yousef

uses nitroglycerin concealed in a bottle

of contact lens solution.

of contact lens solution.

With the rest of the bomb's components

hidden in the heel of his shoes, Yousef

hidden in the heel of his shoes, Yousef

boards the flight in Manila.

Most airport security systems at the time

Most airport security systems at the time

only detected metal above the ankles.

The digital wristwatch is a timer

that's wired to a detonator inside the bottle

that's wired to a detonator inside the bottle

of nitroglycerin.

Two 9-volt batteries and a light bulb filament provide

the spark that ignites it.

Yousef sets the timer to detonate when the plane is

Yousef sets the timer to detonate when the plane is

scheduled to reach cruising altitude

on the next leg of the flight.

on the next leg of the flight.

Then he plants the bomb under his seat...

Then he plants the bomb under his seat...

...and gets off in Cebu.

...and gets off in Cebu.

Goodbye, thank you.

Goodbye, thank you.

4 hours later, the bomb goes off.

4 hours later, the bomb goes off.

On a laptop seized from the bomb factory,

On a laptop seized from the bomb factory,

FBI investigators discover a plan for a team of terrorists

FBI investigators discover a plan for a team of terrorists

to plant similar bombs on 12 different planes.

All bombs would go off within

All bombs would go off within

about a 6-hour time period.

Any more than one would have been an airline disaster.

The FBI offers a $2 million reward for Yousef.

The FBI offers a $2 million reward for Yousef.

The strategy works.

A new recruit cashes in.

A new recruit cashes in.

Yousef is arrested in Pakistan and tried and convicted

in the United States for the Philippines Airlines bombing

in the United States for the Philippines Airlines bombing

and for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

and for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

He is sentenced to 240 years in one of America's

He is sentenced to 240 years in one of America's

most secure federal prisons.

Oh, I've lost control.

I have control.

Dex, check the pressurization loss.

Dex, check the pressurization loss.

Be prepared.

In these three accidents, the one thing that I see very,

very clearly is that teamwork...

very clearly is that teamwork...

We can make it to the other runway there, 1-9 Left.

I see it.

I see it.

I'll try.

Captain did a perfect landing,

kept it just left of a center line.

And we were safely on the ground.

At a great speed, but we were on the ground.

They were coordinating with one another

to keep the airplane in a stable enough situation

to keep the airplane in a stable enough situation

so that they could affect a safe flight and landing.

Go around.

Go around.

Going around.

Pull.

They were able to think

up things to save their aircraft,

up things to save their aircraft,

to save their passengers.

They fought to the finish.

They fought to the finish.

And they did it in very intelligent ways.