1
00:00:01,001 --> 00:00:02,302
3000.
2
00:00:03,537 --> 00:00:05,239
We're not getting any oxygen.
3
00:00:05,272 --> 00:00:07,708
We have the terrain alarm.
4
00:00:07,741 --> 00:00:09,443
We are in an emergency.
5
00:00:23,490 --> 00:00:26,760
On the night of the 24th
of August 2001,
6
00:00:26,827 --> 00:00:29,229
a fully loaded Airbus A330
7
00:00:29,263 --> 00:00:32,399
with 306 people on board
ran out of fuel
8
00:00:32,432 --> 00:00:34,368
midway over the Atlantic.
9
00:00:41,875 --> 00:00:44,878
How could a state-of-the-art
computerized airliner
10
00:00:44,912 --> 00:00:47,381
suffer such
a catastrophic failure?
11
00:00:48,115 --> 00:00:49,983
Mayday, mayday, mayday.
12
00:00:50,050 --> 00:00:52,186
We have lost both engines
due to fuel starvation.
13
00:00:52,219 --> 00:00:53,887
We are gliding now.
14
00:00:53,921 --> 00:00:56,056
We're now at 30 000 feet
15
00:00:56,089 --> 00:00:58,792
at the rate of descent
of 2000 feet per minute.
16
00:00:58,825 --> 00:01:00,227
We have to ditch in the water.
17
00:01:00,260 --> 00:01:02,462
I need you to put on
our life jackets right now.
18
00:01:03,964 --> 00:01:06,300
This film investigates
what happened
19
00:01:06,333 --> 00:01:09,403
to Air Transat Flight 236.
20
00:01:09,436 --> 00:01:11,371
"This is it, it's over...
21
00:01:11,405 --> 00:01:14,875
We are just going to die
in the next 5 to 10 minutes."
22
00:01:14,908 --> 00:01:17,044
And the speed's increasing.
203 knots now.
23
00:01:17,077 --> 00:01:18,545
It's way too fast.
24
00:01:18,579 --> 00:01:20,581
Everybody,
I need you to brace.
25
00:01:20,614 --> 00:01:22,082
Oh my God!
26
00:01:41,468 --> 00:01:43,971
August 23rd, 2001.
27
00:01:44,004 --> 00:01:46,340
Toronto International
Airport is busy.
28
00:01:48,075 --> 00:01:51,345
Air Transat, is a charter
company that has grown rapidly
29
00:01:51,378 --> 00:01:54,781
to become one of the largest
airlines in Canada.
30
00:01:54,815 --> 00:01:57,417
Midsummer brings fewer
business travellers
31
00:01:57,484 --> 00:01:59,152
and a holiday atmosphere.
32
00:01:59,186 --> 00:02:02,890
Air Transat flight 236
is bound for Lisbon.
33
00:02:03,957 --> 00:02:06,827
Most of the passengers
are Canadians visiting Europe,
34
00:02:06,860 --> 00:02:09,496
or Portuguese immigrants
heading home.
35
00:02:15,602 --> 00:02:17,771
The plane, a twin-engined
Airbus A330,
36
00:02:17,804 --> 00:02:21,241
is being flown by a young
co-pilot, Dirk de Jager,
37
00:02:21,275 --> 00:02:24,211
and an experienced captain,
Robert Piché.
38
00:02:25,445 --> 00:02:27,114
Captain Robert Piché
39
00:02:27,181 --> 00:02:30,684
is somewhat out of the ordinary.
40
00:02:30,717 --> 00:02:34,421
Captain Piché, from the moment
he gets his wings,
41
00:02:34,454 --> 00:02:36,557
he get to learn how to fly
42
00:02:36,623 --> 00:02:39,927
in the north
of the province of Québec,
43
00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:42,963
where the conditions
occasionally are very severe.
44
00:02:48,068 --> 00:02:50,838
The flight deck of the A330
is ultra modern.
45
00:02:50,871 --> 00:02:54,274
Banks of computers connected
to over 100 onboard sensors
46
00:02:54,308 --> 00:02:57,044
constantly monitor
the operation of the plane.
47
00:02:58,912 --> 00:03:01,982
This film reveals how serious
problems can arise
48
00:03:02,015 --> 00:03:05,185
when the pilots begin
to distrust the computers.
49
00:03:07,020 --> 00:03:10,290
Before departure,
the computers give no indication
50
00:03:10,324 --> 00:03:12,926
of any problems with the airbus.
51
00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:15,829
236 heavy.
Follow A320 Air Canada.
52
00:03:15,863 --> 00:03:18,932
Turn left on Romeo
and hold short on 2-4 right.
53
00:03:18,966 --> 00:03:21,335
Roger.
Follow A320 Air Canada.
54
00:03:21,368 --> 00:03:25,038
Left on Romeo
and hold short on 24 right.
55
00:03:28,075 --> 00:03:29,843
With the crew of seven,
56
00:03:29,877 --> 00:03:33,580
Flight 236 has 306
people on board.
57
00:03:35,716 --> 00:03:37,417
Well, we were married
for four days.
58
00:03:37,451 --> 00:03:39,152
- Four days.
- Four days.
59
00:03:39,219 --> 00:03:41,822
So we had planned to go
to Portugal for our honeymoon
60
00:03:41,855 --> 00:03:44,925
and we had booked this flight
on Air Transat.
61
00:03:44,958 --> 00:03:47,828
And rather quickly because
we hadn't really planned
62
00:03:47,861 --> 00:03:50,364
what we were going to do
very carefully,
63
00:03:50,397 --> 00:03:52,432
so this was
the last flight left.
64
00:04:00,274 --> 00:04:02,943
Well... Boarded on this flight
65
00:04:02,976 --> 00:04:07,047
to go on a two and a half week
vacation with a friend of mine.
66
00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:11,785
Obviously, I was very excited
to be spending
67
00:04:11,818 --> 00:04:14,454
two and a half weeks
on the coast of Portugal.
68
00:04:14,488 --> 00:04:16,723
Very excited feeling.
69
00:04:17,524 --> 00:04:20,627
Transat 236 heavy.
cleared for takeoff.
70
00:04:20,661 --> 00:04:22,563
2-4-0 at 8.
71
00:04:22,596 --> 00:04:24,398
Cleared for takeoff.
2-4 right.
72
00:04:24,431 --> 00:04:26,166
Transat 236 heavy.
73
00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:27,835
At 20 minutes past 8:00,
74
00:04:27,901 --> 00:04:32,105
the Airbus A330 loaded
with over 47 tons of fuel
75
00:04:32,172 --> 00:04:34,308
leaves Toronto for Lisbon.
76
00:04:34,341 --> 00:04:36,844
V1. Rotate.
77
00:04:46,887 --> 00:04:49,990
The weather forecast for
the Atlantic crossing is good.
78
00:04:50,023 --> 00:04:52,392
Everything runs smoothly
on the flight deck,
79
00:04:52,459 --> 00:04:54,895
apart from a small
adjustment to the route.
80
00:04:56,263 --> 00:04:58,866
To avoid congestion,
air traffic control
81
00:04:58,932 --> 00:05:02,002
directs the flight 60 miles
south of its original route.
82
00:05:02,035 --> 00:05:03,871
It's a minor alteration,
83
00:05:03,937 --> 00:05:06,640
but will later play
a crucial role.
84
00:05:09,710 --> 00:05:12,613
The passengers settle down
for the long crossing.
85
00:05:17,651 --> 00:05:19,653
The reason for our trip
to Portugal,
86
00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:23,023
it was a family trip,
we were going to a wedding.
87
00:05:23,056 --> 00:05:25,225
Otherwise, we would not
have gone this year.
88
00:05:25,259 --> 00:05:26,827
Uh, so...
89
00:05:26,894 --> 00:05:28,862
Instead of just going
for four days for a wedding,
90
00:05:28,929 --> 00:05:30,731
we decided to go for two weeks
91
00:05:30,797 --> 00:05:34,902
and throw the wedding in
as kind of a family perk
92
00:05:34,968 --> 00:05:36,837
and see everybody.
93
00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:42,242
Everything appeared
quite normal, and in fact,
94
00:05:42,309 --> 00:05:45,045
I had traveled on Air Transat
previously and found it
95
00:05:45,112 --> 00:05:46,613
not to be very good.
96
00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,616
And I was surprised by
the quality of the flight.
97
00:05:49,683 --> 00:05:52,486
You know, it was on time,
the plane was newer
98
00:05:52,553 --> 00:05:53,887
and we thought generally
it was much better
99
00:05:53,954 --> 00:05:55,756
than we had expected
it would be.
100
00:05:57,024 --> 00:05:59,626
We are getting
to our next checkpoint.
101
00:05:59,660 --> 00:06:02,396
Every 30 minutes
across the Atlantic,
102
00:06:02,462 --> 00:06:05,365
the crew check their position
and fuel consumption
103
00:06:05,432 --> 00:06:07,267
against their flight plan.
104
00:06:07,301 --> 00:06:08,869
11.2 tons on the right.
105
00:06:08,902 --> 00:06:11,038
11.2 tons on the left.
106
00:06:11,071 --> 00:06:14,107
Despite the computerized
systems, some procedures
107
00:06:14,174 --> 00:06:18,111
like checking the fuel on board
still need to be done by hand.
108
00:06:20,280 --> 00:06:22,683
By comparing the amount of fuel
in the tanks
109
00:06:22,749 --> 00:06:24,651
with the amount
the flight started with,
110
00:06:24,718 --> 00:06:27,487
the pilots can keep an eye
on the fuel consumption.
111
00:06:27,521 --> 00:06:29,289
Fuel check complete.
112
00:06:29,323 --> 00:06:31,124
The level is normal
for the distance flown.
113
00:06:31,158 --> 00:06:32,526
Alright.
114
00:06:34,728 --> 00:06:38,165
For the first five hours,
everything is routine.
115
00:06:39,900 --> 00:06:44,104
The flight crew, Air Transat
and the accident investigators
116
00:06:44,171 --> 00:06:47,474
have all declined
to be interviewed about
what happened next.
117
00:06:48,775 --> 00:06:51,879
This film uses known facts
about the flight,
118
00:06:51,945 --> 00:06:54,915
standard emergency procedures
and expert opinion
119
00:06:54,982 --> 00:06:59,152
to reconstruct what took place
on Flight 236.
120
00:07:02,389 --> 00:07:03,423
Look.
121
00:07:03,824 --> 00:07:05,993
We're getting a warning signal.
122
00:07:06,026 --> 00:07:09,930
"Oil temp low and oil pressure
high on number two."
123
00:07:11,265 --> 00:07:15,569
This warning is the first
step in the crisis.
124
00:07:15,602 --> 00:07:19,206
Oil pressure is within normal
limits on number one.
125
00:07:19,273 --> 00:07:21,675
On number two,
it's slightly high.
126
00:07:21,708 --> 00:07:24,912
The computer display reveals
that the oil temperature
127
00:07:24,978 --> 00:07:27,080
is low in engine number two.
128
00:07:27,114 --> 00:07:29,216
But the oil pressure is high.
129
00:07:29,249 --> 00:07:31,885
It is a very unusual reading.
130
00:07:31,919 --> 00:07:33,987
The pilots are puzzled.
131
00:07:34,054 --> 00:07:35,756
I can't see anything here.
132
00:07:35,789 --> 00:07:37,691
I'll look in the FCOM.
133
00:07:37,724 --> 00:07:42,095
A low oil temperature
indication is normally
134
00:07:42,162 --> 00:07:45,032
indicative of bad readings,
bad sensors.
135
00:07:45,065 --> 00:07:48,802
Oil temperatures don't decrease
normally, they increase.
136
00:07:48,836 --> 00:07:51,905
A low oil temperature
would be of no concern.
137
00:07:51,939 --> 00:07:56,543
The high oil pressure
is a very strange indication,
138
00:07:56,610 --> 00:08:00,447
it's very rare, in fact, I've
never actually heard of one.
139
00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:05,152
It's only indicative of
the contamination, normally,
140
00:08:05,219 --> 00:08:07,254
of the oil with fuel.
141
00:08:07,287 --> 00:08:10,657
That's not something that is
explained in the manuals.
142
00:08:11,458 --> 00:08:12,926
Call the company.
143
00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:16,964
The crew contact Air Transat's
maintenance group in Montreal.
144
00:08:16,997 --> 00:08:20,701
Transat 236
to Mirabel Operations.
145
00:08:20,734 --> 00:08:24,204
Mirabel Transat 236. Hi.
146
00:08:24,238 --> 00:08:26,640
Hi. We have
a little problem.
147
00:08:26,673 --> 00:08:28,242
We are getting the warning
"oil temp low"
148
00:08:28,308 --> 00:08:31,078
and "oil pressure high" on
the ECAM for engine number two.
149
00:08:31,111 --> 00:08:33,113
There's nothing
in the QRH nor the FCOM.
150
00:08:33,146 --> 00:08:34,715
Can you help us out?
151
00:08:34,748 --> 00:08:37,284
The ground crew have
no immediate solution.
152
00:08:37,351 --> 00:08:40,254
The pilots must work it out
for themselves.
153
00:08:40,287 --> 00:08:45,926
They may have been given
some advice on troubleshooting
154
00:08:45,993 --> 00:08:49,296
to see if that would help,
155
00:08:49,363 --> 00:08:52,466
but ultimately, the pilots
are up there on their own.
156
00:08:52,533 --> 00:08:55,469
They can get advice from
somebody 25 000 miles away,
157
00:08:55,536 --> 00:08:57,704
but they can't really
fix the problems.
158
00:08:57,738 --> 00:09:00,174
Suggest you
keep monitoring your oil levels
159
00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:01,708
and see what happens.
160
00:09:01,742 --> 00:09:04,144
But because
the oil readings are so unusual,
161
00:09:04,211 --> 00:09:07,581
the pilots believe they may
indicate a computer error.
162
00:09:07,614 --> 00:09:10,450
The crew keep monitoring
the oil levels.
163
00:09:12,886 --> 00:09:16,223
Air Transat 236
continues on track.
164
00:09:26,633 --> 00:09:30,270
Then 20 minutes later,
a new warning.
165
00:09:31,438 --> 00:09:33,140
Fuel imbalance warning!
166
00:09:33,974 --> 00:09:35,409
I haven't seen that before!
167
00:09:36,443 --> 00:09:38,045
Follow all ECAM action.
168
00:09:38,078 --> 00:09:39,680
I have air traffic control.
169
00:09:40,814 --> 00:09:42,749
In the Airbus 330,
170
00:09:42,816 --> 00:09:45,586
most of the fuel is in large
tanks in the wings.
171
00:09:45,619 --> 00:09:48,288
The computer has now detected
that the fuel level
172
00:09:48,322 --> 00:09:51,491
on the right is significantly
lower than the left.
173
00:09:52,893 --> 00:09:55,495
The crew consult
the airbus flight manual.
174
00:09:55,529 --> 00:09:57,798
Which recommends
they transfer fuel
175
00:09:57,865 --> 00:10:00,000
through a special
cross-feed valve.
176
00:10:00,033 --> 00:10:03,170
Fuel will then flow
from one tank to the other.
177
00:10:06,373 --> 00:10:08,475
But before opening
the cross-feed,
178
00:10:08,542 --> 00:10:11,044
the pilots must be sure
that the imbalance
179
00:10:11,111 --> 00:10:15,082
is not caused by a more serious
problem, such as a fuel leak.
180
00:10:16,316 --> 00:10:19,453
Last fuel check was only
15 minutes ago and it was okay.
181
00:10:20,954 --> 00:10:23,023
No indication of a fuel leak.
182
00:10:23,056 --> 00:10:24,558
Keep going.
183
00:10:24,591 --> 00:10:27,127
Wing cross speed, on.
184
00:10:28,362 --> 00:10:29,596
On.
185
00:10:35,402 --> 00:10:38,238
Once you begin
the cross-feeding procedure
186
00:10:38,305 --> 00:10:41,408
to correct
the fuel imbalance, uh...
187
00:10:43,043 --> 00:10:47,014
...restorative action should
commence quite quickly.
188
00:10:47,047 --> 00:10:51,485
In other words, the situation
would not continue to get worse.
189
00:10:51,518 --> 00:10:54,988
It would either
stabilise immediately,
190
00:10:55,055 --> 00:10:59,326
and then, begin
to correct itself.
191
00:10:59,359 --> 00:11:01,862
But the situation is not
correcting itself.
192
00:11:01,895 --> 00:11:04,998
Unknown to the pilots,
there is a major fuel leak,
193
00:11:05,065 --> 00:11:08,502
in the number two engine
on the right-hand side
of the plane.
194
00:11:26,954 --> 00:11:29,356
Flight 236 is in mid-Atlantic,
195
00:11:29,423 --> 00:11:32,726
nearly 300 kilometers
from the nearest land.
196
00:11:37,497 --> 00:11:40,601
39 000 feet over
the Atlantic,
197
00:11:40,667 --> 00:11:42,870
nearly 300 kilometers from land,
198
00:11:42,903 --> 00:11:46,573
Air Transat Flight 236
is in trouble.
199
00:11:46,607 --> 00:11:50,110
Unknown to the pilots, the right
engine is leaking fuel.
200
00:11:50,811 --> 00:11:54,248
The plane's computer system has
thrown out a series of warnings.
201
00:11:54,281 --> 00:11:56,950
But the pilots believe
these are computer errors.
202
00:11:56,984 --> 00:11:58,752
Have you ever seen something
like this before?
203
00:11:59,686 --> 00:12:02,689
No, never.
204
00:12:02,723 --> 00:12:04,558
It doesn't make any sense.
205
00:12:04,625 --> 00:12:06,193
Yeah, even if there is a leak,
206
00:12:06,260 --> 00:12:08,462
it doesn't explain the alarms
on the oil system.
207
00:12:08,495 --> 00:12:11,899
And everything was okay at the
last fuel check at 30 West.
208
00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:15,769
I'll bet you
it's a computer problem.
209
00:12:15,802 --> 00:12:18,438
The task of finding out
if there is a fuel leak,
210
00:12:18,472 --> 00:12:21,675
is made harder by the design
of the air bus systems.
211
00:12:21,708 --> 00:12:26,313
The systems monitor hundreds
and hundreds of sensors.
212
00:12:26,346 --> 00:12:32,019
And you know, they can be
affected by such mundane things
213
00:12:32,085 --> 00:12:35,856
as a little bit of frost
or ice on a sensor,
214
00:12:35,923 --> 00:12:39,293
it can cause it to present
bad data.
215
00:12:39,326 --> 00:12:42,529
So it is not something
that would occur
216
00:12:42,596 --> 00:12:45,899
on every single flight,
but it's something that we're
217
00:12:45,966 --> 00:12:47,901
quite used to dealing with.
218
00:12:47,935 --> 00:12:49,970
There is no warning
to show that the fuel level
219
00:12:50,037 --> 00:12:52,940
is falling faster than
the engines are consuming it.
220
00:12:52,973 --> 00:12:55,709
So the pilots receive
no immediate indication
221
00:12:55,776 --> 00:12:57,711
that there could be a fuel leak.
222
00:12:58,478 --> 00:13:01,148
The fuel quantity isn't rising
in the tanks of the right wing.
223
00:13:01,181 --> 00:13:02,749
Check fuel quantity.
224
00:13:02,783 --> 00:13:04,451
It's very low, hold on.
225
00:13:04,484 --> 00:13:08,555
When co-pilot de Jager carries
out the fuel calculations,
226
00:13:08,622 --> 00:13:11,191
he discovers something
seriously wrong.
227
00:13:11,225 --> 00:13:12,826
It's much less fuel
than we should have.
228
00:13:12,860 --> 00:13:14,194
It looks like a fuel leak.
229
00:13:16,730 --> 00:13:17,998
Check again.
230
00:13:21,335 --> 00:13:24,505
De Jager finds
a disturbing difference.
231
00:13:24,538 --> 00:13:26,473
According to all the gauges,
232
00:13:26,540 --> 00:13:28,609
all the tanks on the right wing
are way below the level
233
00:13:28,675 --> 00:13:30,677
they should be, according
to the flight plan.
234
00:13:31,645 --> 00:13:33,480
There's hardly anything
in the other ones.
235
00:13:33,514 --> 00:13:35,048
What about the trim tank?
236
00:13:35,082 --> 00:13:36,550
There's nothing there either.
237
00:13:43,790 --> 00:13:46,093
- Yes?
- Hello, first officer here.
238
00:13:46,126 --> 00:13:47,628
Can you come
to the cockpit please?
239
00:13:47,661 --> 00:13:48,862
Sure.
240
00:13:52,933 --> 00:13:55,102
Although Captain Piché
believes he is dealing
241
00:13:55,135 --> 00:13:57,905
with a computer problem,
he nevertheless decides
242
00:13:57,938 --> 00:14:00,374
to ask for a visual check,
just in case,
243
00:14:00,407 --> 00:14:02,809
to see if there could be
a fuel leak.
244
00:14:03,877 --> 00:14:06,480
- Captain?
- Hi.
245
00:14:06,513 --> 00:14:09,082
Can you and Karen
take some flashlights
246
00:14:09,116 --> 00:14:10,884
and go to the windows?
247
00:14:10,918 --> 00:14:13,520
If you can see anything trailing
back from the wings...
248
00:14:13,554 --> 00:14:15,155
It'll look like a mist
249
00:14:15,222 --> 00:14:17,391
or a stream.
And report back immediately.
250
00:14:17,424 --> 00:14:18,792
Okay.
251
00:14:20,894 --> 00:14:24,498
Dirk, I want you to do another
complete fuel check, please.
252
00:14:34,875 --> 00:14:36,376
I'm so sorry.
253
00:14:36,443 --> 00:14:39,379
In daylight, the fuel pouring
out of the back of the wing
254
00:14:39,446 --> 00:14:41,148
would have been clearly visible.
255
00:14:41,181 --> 00:14:44,151
But in the dead of night,
even with a torch,
256
00:14:44,218 --> 00:14:47,454
the fuel leaking from
the engine is impossible to see.
257
00:15:04,471 --> 00:15:08,175
The crew evidently realised
that the situation
258
00:15:08,242 --> 00:15:10,544
was not improving,
and at that point,
259
00:15:10,611 --> 00:15:12,112
they realised that their...
260
00:15:12,980 --> 00:15:16,049
...that their circumstances
were becoming more serious.
261
00:15:16,083 --> 00:15:19,286
And I think that there were
probably some discussions
262
00:15:19,353 --> 00:15:21,688
that took place between
the two pilots
263
00:15:21,755 --> 00:15:24,791
as to what their next course
of action should be.
264
00:15:24,825 --> 00:15:28,662
If the computer is correct,
then with the amount
of fuel remaining,
265
00:15:28,729 --> 00:15:32,065
the airbus will no longer be
able to make it to Lisbon.
266
00:15:32,099 --> 00:15:35,402
Captain Piché is forced
to make a crucial decision.
267
00:15:35,435 --> 00:15:37,571
We've got to divert.
268
00:15:38,372 --> 00:15:41,441
Get on to Oceanic control
where is the nearest airfield.
269
00:15:43,243 --> 00:15:45,679
Transat 236 heavy.
Santa Maria control.
270
00:15:45,712 --> 00:15:47,281
Can you advise nearest airfield?
271
00:15:47,347 --> 00:15:49,016
We have possible fuel problem.
272
00:15:55,289 --> 00:15:58,959
The nearest runway
is over 300 kilometres away.
273
00:15:58,992 --> 00:16:02,329
But with the fuel remaining,
Lajes military airbase
274
00:16:02,396 --> 00:16:04,865
on the tiny island
of Terceira in the Azores
275
00:16:04,932 --> 00:16:06,667
should be within reach.
276
00:16:06,700 --> 00:16:10,003
Santa Maria
control, Transat 236 heavy.
277
00:16:10,037 --> 00:16:13,407
Proceed 230 flight level
390 direct.
278
00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:15,542
350 miles to threshold.
279
00:16:15,576 --> 00:16:17,477
Are you declaring an emergency?
280
00:16:17,511 --> 00:16:19,213
Stand by, Santa Maria control.
281
00:16:22,783 --> 00:16:24,885
Not yet, it must be
the computer.
282
00:16:24,918 --> 00:16:27,654
Transat 236,
Santa Maria control.
283
00:16:27,721 --> 00:16:29,556
No assistance required yet.
284
00:16:33,527 --> 00:16:37,998
Flight 236 continues flying
south for the next 25 minutes.
285
00:16:38,031 --> 00:16:40,701
Everything in the cabin
seems normal.
286
00:16:41,835 --> 00:16:45,072
But in the cockpit, the fuel
readings are getting worse.
287
00:16:45,105 --> 00:16:47,474
- It must be the computer
- I've checked.
288
00:16:47,508 --> 00:16:49,443
There's nothing in the trim
or centre tank!
289
00:16:49,476 --> 00:16:50,878
And the gauges show...
290
00:16:50,911 --> 00:16:52,813
According to the fuel gauges,
291
00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:55,749
the plane is using fuel
much faster than normal.
292
00:16:55,782 --> 00:16:57,651
Whether they believe
the gauges or not,
293
00:16:57,718 --> 00:16:59,052
the captain has no choice.
294
00:16:59,086 --> 00:17:01,355
He must warn
air traffic control.
295
00:17:02,189 --> 00:17:04,691
We have to declare
a fuel emergency.
296
00:17:07,060 --> 00:17:10,297
Transat 236 heavy,
Santa Maria control.
297
00:17:12,165 --> 00:17:15,702
Santa Maria control,
Transat 236 heavy, go ahead.
298
00:17:16,737 --> 00:17:20,107
Transat 236 heavy,
declaring fuel emergency.
299
00:17:30,050 --> 00:17:33,487
I really hope
it's a computer bug
300
00:17:33,554 --> 00:17:35,889
because if we land in the Azures
301
00:17:35,956 --> 00:17:38,192
with half a plane full of fuel,
302
00:17:38,258 --> 00:17:40,227
they'll crucify us.
303
00:17:57,377 --> 00:18:00,214
But at 6:13 AM,
less than an hour
304
00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,516
from the first fuel alarm,
305
00:18:02,549 --> 00:18:05,752
the right-hand engine runs out
of fuel and cuts out.
306
00:18:08,622 --> 00:18:10,924
We're losing engine number 2!
307
00:18:10,958 --> 00:18:12,125
I don't believe this!
308
00:18:12,159 --> 00:18:14,261
Okay. Maximum thrust
on number 1.
309
00:18:16,396 --> 00:18:18,465
What's going on?
310
00:18:18,532 --> 00:18:20,133
Yes. What's happening?
311
00:18:20,167 --> 00:18:22,803
The lights started
flickering on and off,
312
00:18:22,870 --> 00:18:25,372
which I thought was
kind of odd, strange.
313
00:18:27,508 --> 00:18:31,111
On one engine, the airbus
will not fly at 39 000 feet.
314
00:18:31,144 --> 00:18:33,313
They must descend quickly.
315
00:18:33,380 --> 00:18:35,649
Try to transfer fuel
from center tank
316
00:18:35,716 --> 00:18:37,851
and the trim tank.
- Transferring.
317
00:18:37,885 --> 00:18:39,786
Fuel quantity is reaching zero.
318
00:18:40,420 --> 00:18:41,555
This can't be.
319
00:18:42,422 --> 00:18:45,726
We're not going to go completely
dry on this (bleep!) airplane!
320
00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:48,161
Alright.
321
00:18:48,962 --> 00:18:51,965
We can't stay at 39 000 feet
with just one engine.
322
00:18:53,634 --> 00:18:55,502
We'll descend to 33 000
323
00:18:55,536 --> 00:18:58,038
to control our speed.
- 236 to Lajes Tower.
324
00:18:58,071 --> 00:19:00,440
We have lost one engine.
Engine flame out.
325
00:19:00,474 --> 00:19:04,144
Roger, Transat 236.
We can see you on primary radar.
326
00:19:04,178 --> 00:19:07,281
You are at 135 nautical miles
from Lajes field.
327
00:19:08,215 --> 00:19:11,952
We are 135 nautical miles
from Lajes Field.
328
00:19:11,985 --> 00:19:14,588
Well, there's a whole lot of
critical things that go on.
329
00:19:14,621 --> 00:19:18,859
In addition to that, you turn on
all the exterior lights
330
00:19:18,926 --> 00:19:20,594
so people can see
you're in trouble.
331
00:19:20,627 --> 00:19:22,930
You have to broadcast
your intentions
332
00:19:22,996 --> 00:19:27,067
on an emergency frequency,
so that other people know
333
00:19:27,134 --> 00:19:29,970
that you are unable
to maintain your altitude.
334
00:19:30,003 --> 00:19:32,206
You may be descending
through their altitude.
335
00:19:32,239 --> 00:19:35,375
So everybody else is now
on the lookout for an airplane
336
00:19:35,442 --> 00:19:37,978
that is in distress.
337
00:19:38,045 --> 00:19:40,681
For the next ten minutes,
the stricken airbus
338
00:19:40,747 --> 00:19:42,983
continues on its
one remaining engine.
339
00:19:43,016 --> 00:19:47,087
The pilots still
believe that the computer
may be partly faulty,
340
00:19:47,154 --> 00:19:50,090
and that they can make it
to Lajes with fuel to spare.
341
00:19:50,123 --> 00:19:52,125
At the end,
we might be alright.
342
00:19:52,159 --> 00:19:54,294
The fuel gauge
is falling fast though.
343
00:19:54,328 --> 00:19:56,196
It's nearly hitting zero.
344
00:20:05,072 --> 00:20:08,242
But 13 minutes after
the right-hand engine cut out
345
00:20:08,308 --> 00:20:11,411
and with 130 kilometres
still to go,
346
00:20:11,478 --> 00:20:14,114
the left engine begins to fail.
347
00:20:20,053 --> 00:20:22,623
We're losing number 1.
348
00:20:24,892 --> 00:20:27,928
Mayday, mayday, mayday!
349
00:20:27,961 --> 00:20:29,363
We have lost both engines
350
00:20:29,429 --> 00:20:31,999
due to fuel starvation.
We are gliding now.
351
00:20:37,638 --> 00:20:41,074
One of the most sophisticated
airliners of the modern era,
352
00:20:41,141 --> 00:20:44,378
carrying 306 passengers
and crew,
353
00:20:44,444 --> 00:20:47,481
is now nothing more
than a giant glider,
354
00:20:47,548 --> 00:20:50,851
drifting steadily down
towards the ocean.
355
00:20:59,693 --> 00:21:01,962
Excuse me,
can somebody come?
356
00:21:05,766 --> 00:21:06,900
Hello?
357
00:21:08,368 --> 00:21:10,871
You could literally
hear a pin drop.
358
00:21:10,904 --> 00:21:13,273
The exterior, there was
no sound in that plane,
359
00:21:13,340 --> 00:21:14,641
in that cabin at all.
360
00:21:19,046 --> 00:21:24,051
A lot of people were praying
and um, screaming for God.
361
00:21:24,084 --> 00:21:26,286
My wife was
a little hysterical.
362
00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:28,922
My best friend was...
in another world.
363
00:21:28,956 --> 00:21:30,624
Everything was dead silent,
364
00:21:30,691 --> 00:21:34,361
except for the people
who were... who were very upset.
365
00:21:34,394 --> 00:21:36,263
List of functions
we have lost.
366
00:21:36,296 --> 00:21:38,031
We have no more stabiliser,
367
00:21:38,098 --> 00:21:41,101
nor blue and yellow hydraulic.
No ADR 2 and 3.
368
00:21:41,134 --> 00:21:42,536
No anti skid, no reversers,
369
00:21:42,603 --> 00:21:44,905
tudder trim, radio HF,
one and two.
370
00:21:44,938 --> 00:21:48,242
With the loss of both engines,
we have no electrical systems.
371
00:21:48,275 --> 00:21:51,612
If the engines are not running,
the generators are not running,
372
00:21:51,678 --> 00:21:53,847
so there is no power
on the airplane.
373
00:21:53,881 --> 00:21:57,551
There is a small device,
it's called the Ram Air Turbine.
374
00:21:57,584 --> 00:22:01,388
It will deploy from
underneath the fuselage,
near the wing fairing,
375
00:22:01,455 --> 00:22:06,059
and it's a small propeller
that deploys at the bottom
376
00:22:06,126 --> 00:22:08,562
of the fuselage
and it spins in the wind.
377
00:22:08,595 --> 00:22:12,566
And that small propeller
will provide very limited
378
00:22:12,633 --> 00:22:16,870
electrical and hydraulic systems
to run the aircraft.
379
00:22:16,904 --> 00:22:19,439
In other words,
although it is a glider,
380
00:22:19,506 --> 00:22:21,942
at least it is
a controllable glider!
381
00:22:21,975 --> 00:22:25,345
Calculate how far we can go
with our glide angle, will you?
382
00:22:28,115 --> 00:22:30,684
Well, we are now at...
30 000 feet.
383
00:22:30,717 --> 00:22:33,654
At the rate of descent
of 2 000 feet per minute,
384
00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:37,491
we can hang on for
14 or 15 minutes...
385
00:22:37,558 --> 00:22:40,294
I don't want to die
on our honeymoon.
386
00:22:40,360 --> 00:22:42,196
I was just trying
to calm her down,
387
00:22:42,262 --> 00:22:44,932
reassuring her that
everything would be okay.
388
00:22:44,998 --> 00:22:48,068
It's a very big struggle
to stay calm
389
00:22:48,135 --> 00:22:50,804
when you're considering
your own death.
390
00:22:54,208 --> 00:22:57,878
Without power, the plane
loses 1000 feet in height
391
00:22:57,945 --> 00:23:00,747
for every five kilometres
it travels forward.
392
00:23:00,781 --> 00:23:03,584
They can reach the Azures,
but if the pilots
393
00:23:03,617 --> 00:23:05,385
get their calculations wrong,
394
00:23:05,452 --> 00:23:08,422
they may face a forced landing
on the water.
395
00:23:10,123 --> 00:23:11,992
I'm not sure we can
make it to Lajes.
396
00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:23,737
Air Transat Flight 236
is now drifting without fuel
397
00:23:23,804 --> 00:23:25,472
over the Atlantic.
398
00:23:25,506 --> 00:23:27,808
Although their initial
calculations show
399
00:23:27,875 --> 00:23:31,478
that the plane should make it
to Lajes, Captain Piché
400
00:23:31,545 --> 00:23:33,680
must now follow standard
emergency procedure
401
00:23:33,747 --> 00:23:36,083
for a passenger jet over water.
402
00:23:36,116 --> 00:23:37,584
Prepare the cabin.
403
00:23:39,953 --> 00:23:42,489
The cabin is slowly
depressurising.
404
00:23:42,556 --> 00:23:45,158
We need to put
our oxygen masks on.
405
00:23:45,192 --> 00:23:46,660
The loss
of engine power
406
00:23:46,727 --> 00:23:49,296
means the cabin soon
depressurizes.
407
00:23:55,302 --> 00:23:57,504
Everybody, please,
I need your attention.
408
00:23:57,538 --> 00:23:59,239
We are preparing
to ditch the plane.
409
00:23:59,273 --> 00:24:01,642
I need you to put on
your life jackets right now.
410
00:24:01,675 --> 00:24:05,179
Within probably, I'd say,
two minutes,
411
00:24:05,245 --> 00:24:08,382
I saw flight attendants
with life jackets in their hand
412
00:24:08,448 --> 00:24:13,987
running down the aisles.
Obviously, that was a sign
of fear, you know.
413
00:24:14,054 --> 00:24:17,191
"What was happening"
was the first question
that popped in my mind.
414
00:24:20,994 --> 00:24:23,263
You just need to tie this up
like that.
415
00:24:23,330 --> 00:24:26,333
You don't really know
what to think,
416
00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:29,469
but people did start to panic
at that point,
417
00:24:29,536 --> 00:24:31,705
when they were told to put on
life jackets.
418
00:24:34,641 --> 00:24:35,809
Please keep her calm.
419
00:24:39,146 --> 00:24:41,715
My best friend was talking
to his father,
420
00:24:41,782 --> 00:24:43,183
his father died three years ago.
421
00:24:43,250 --> 00:24:45,252
But he was talking to him
because he thought for sure
422
00:24:45,319 --> 00:24:46,620
he was going to be joining him.
423
00:24:46,687 --> 00:24:49,456
And I just kept
the same reiteration.
424
00:24:49,489 --> 00:24:51,458
"No. This is okay."
One hand on one leg,
425
00:24:51,525 --> 00:24:54,561
one hand on the other, both
their arms clenched to mine.
426
00:24:54,595 --> 00:24:58,398
Kind of looking at my in-laws,
blinking, you know:
427
00:24:58,432 --> 00:24:59,800
"It's okay,
it's nothing."
428
00:25:02,302 --> 00:25:04,938
I kept thinking that if
the plane did hit water,
429
00:25:04,972 --> 00:25:06,273
that we would survive.
430
00:25:06,306 --> 00:25:08,442
I was so convinced
that we would survive
431
00:25:08,509 --> 00:25:11,411
no matter what happened
to the plane, that...
432
00:25:12,246 --> 00:25:15,148
I was probably delusional.
433
00:25:20,921 --> 00:25:22,923
Fear just suddenly
just kicked in
434
00:25:22,990 --> 00:25:26,293
from my toes straight up
to my head.
435
00:25:26,326 --> 00:25:27,861
Uh...
436
00:25:27,928 --> 00:25:32,499
At that point, they started
giving us instructions,
437
00:25:32,566 --> 00:25:34,568
of what to do in this procedure.
438
00:25:35,435 --> 00:25:38,338
"Take off your shoes,"
was one of them.
439
00:25:38,372 --> 00:25:41,508
"Don't inflate your life jacket
440
00:25:41,575 --> 00:25:43,610
until we hit the water."
441
00:25:43,644 --> 00:25:46,680
"Get into this position
when we hit the water."
442
00:25:46,713 --> 00:25:49,183
It was a lot of... It wasn't
like "ifs" or "maybes",
443
00:25:49,249 --> 00:25:51,518
it was "this was gonna happen,
this was the real deal."
444
00:25:52,886 --> 00:25:54,922
Ditching a large passenger jet
on the water
445
00:25:54,988 --> 00:25:56,557
presents severe hazards.
446
00:25:56,590 --> 00:25:59,626
If the Airbus 330 has to make
a forced landing,
447
00:25:59,693 --> 00:26:02,296
the chances of survival
are bleak.
448
00:26:03,530 --> 00:26:06,266
In my personal opinion,
I don't think these airplanes
449
00:26:06,333 --> 00:26:08,368
would make very good boats.
450
00:26:08,402 --> 00:26:13,807
Typically, an airplane with
a low-mounted tail like this,
451
00:26:13,874 --> 00:26:16,009
as it enters the water,
452
00:26:16,076 --> 00:26:18,378
one of the first things
that is going to hit the water
453
00:26:18,445 --> 00:26:20,981
is the tail and it is probably
gonna be ripped right off
454
00:26:21,048 --> 00:26:24,117
and the fuselage is probably
gonna open about right there.
455
00:26:24,151 --> 00:26:27,487
In 1996, a Boeing 767
456
00:26:27,554 --> 00:26:30,424
ran out of fuel off the coast
of East Africa.
457
00:26:30,457 --> 00:26:33,393
Its last moments were caught
on amateur video,
458
00:26:33,460 --> 00:26:35,896
and reveal what happens
when an airliner
459
00:26:35,963 --> 00:26:38,866
attempts a controlled
landing on water.
460
00:26:53,146 --> 00:26:57,784
Of the 175 people on
the Ethiopian Airways jet,
461
00:26:57,851 --> 00:27:00,087
only 50 survived.
462
00:27:04,791 --> 00:27:09,029
The chances of surviving
a ditching and floating
463
00:27:09,096 --> 00:27:11,231
for very long
are not very good.
464
00:27:11,265 --> 00:27:14,635
If Air Transat Flight 236
has to carry out
465
00:27:14,701 --> 00:27:18,872
a similar manoeuvre, it faces
an equally grave outcome.
466
00:27:23,110 --> 00:27:26,280
With over 100 km before
they reach the Azores,
467
00:27:26,346 --> 00:27:29,850
the pilots face a long
and difficult manoeuvre.
468
00:27:29,917 --> 00:27:33,153
They need to keep the plane
gliding for more than 15 minutes
469
00:27:33,220 --> 00:27:35,122
to reach the Azores.
470
00:27:35,956 --> 00:27:39,526
There's very little time
for any emotions at all.
471
00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:43,263
You're just so focussed
472
00:27:43,330 --> 00:27:44,932
on the mission at hand.
473
00:27:44,965 --> 00:27:46,934
It's a life or death
situation, of course.
474
00:27:46,967 --> 00:27:50,938
But, your intention
is to get it there.
475
00:27:50,971 --> 00:27:53,240
You're not thinking
about the alternatives.
476
00:27:53,273 --> 00:27:56,310
You're fully focussed on...
477
00:27:56,376 --> 00:27:59,613
getting the airplane
to its destination.
478
00:28:04,651 --> 00:28:07,120
Transat 236 heavy,
to Lajes Tower.
479
00:28:08,322 --> 00:28:11,925
Lajes Tower receiving,
Transat 236 heavy.
480
00:28:11,959 --> 00:28:14,361
Do you have us on radar?
Transat 236.
481
00:28:15,596 --> 00:28:17,364
s(tower): We have you
on primary radar.
482
00:28:17,397 --> 00:28:19,399
Confirm you are at 80 miles out.
483
00:28:19,433 --> 00:28:21,034
Your heading is good.
484
00:28:21,068 --> 00:28:23,136
Transat 236 heavy,
Lajes Tower.
485
00:28:23,170 --> 00:28:24,771
We are trying
to make the runway.
486
00:28:24,805 --> 00:28:27,007
Please describe runway
heading and length.
487
00:28:27,875 --> 00:28:30,477
Lajes Tower,
Transat 236 heavy.
488
00:28:30,511 --> 00:28:33,814
Runway is 3-3
and 10 865-feet long,
489
00:28:33,881 --> 00:28:35,449
airport dead ahead
on your present heading.
490
00:28:35,482 --> 00:28:37,484
Please advise when you
have it in sight.
491
00:28:40,854 --> 00:28:42,923
Transat 236 heavy.
492
00:28:42,956 --> 00:28:46,260
We cannot see the airport.
We will tell you when we can.
493
00:28:52,566 --> 00:28:54,635
As the minutes tick by,
494
00:28:54,701 --> 00:28:57,771
the long wait for those
on board is agonising.
495
00:28:59,139 --> 00:29:02,576
That's it.
This is it. It's over.
496
00:29:03,911 --> 00:29:06,647
I am going to die
in the next 5 to 10 minutes.
497
00:29:08,048 --> 00:29:12,219
I hadn't contemplated the idea
that we would die, certainly.
498
00:29:12,252 --> 00:29:14,855
I think in that moment,
you can accept it more
499
00:29:14,922 --> 00:29:16,924
than you think
you would accept it.
500
00:29:16,957 --> 00:29:19,193
I never thought
I was going to die.
501
00:29:19,226 --> 00:29:21,428
I was in a little bit
of a state of distress,
502
00:29:21,495 --> 00:29:23,497
I did my best not to show it.
503
00:29:23,530 --> 00:29:26,266
I just tried to keep cool,
calm and collected,
504
00:29:26,333 --> 00:29:28,602
but there were certain times
505
00:29:28,669 --> 00:29:31,672
where I wasn't sure
if we'd make it.
506
00:29:31,705 --> 00:29:35,075
The torture of the whole fact
that you're going to die,
507
00:29:35,142 --> 00:29:37,244
which I totally thought
I was going to,
508
00:29:37,311 --> 00:29:39,813
is worse to me than dying.
509
00:29:39,847 --> 00:29:41,415
If I'm gonna die,
just kill me now!
510
00:29:41,448 --> 00:29:43,483
Just get a gun and shoot me!
511
00:29:43,517 --> 00:29:46,353
Or just let this plane go down
and nose-dive into the ocean
512
00:29:46,420 --> 00:29:48,121
and just die instantly.
513
00:29:48,155 --> 00:29:51,558
On the ground,
emergency services
514
00:29:51,625 --> 00:29:54,895
prepare for the crash landing
of a fully loaded airliner.
515
00:30:20,220 --> 00:30:22,289
With 20 kilometres to go,
516
00:30:22,356 --> 00:30:25,459
the crew now prepare
for the most dangerous part
of the operation:
517
00:30:25,526 --> 00:30:27,861
getting their plane
on the runway in one piece.
518
00:30:27,895 --> 00:30:29,363
Transat 236 heavy
to Lajes tower.
519
00:30:29,396 --> 00:30:31,098
Do you have our distance
from threshold now
520
00:30:31,164 --> 00:30:32,432
and weather please?
521
00:30:32,466 --> 00:30:34,801
Roger,
Transat 236 heavy.
522
00:30:34,835 --> 00:30:36,937
You are eight miles out
according to primary radar,
523
00:30:37,004 --> 00:30:39,606
airspeed 280 knots according
to our readings.
524
00:30:39,640 --> 00:30:41,074
Visibility unlimited.
525
00:30:41,108 --> 00:30:42,609
You should have
the airport in sight.
526
00:30:43,844 --> 00:30:45,279
Negative, Lajes Tower.
527
00:30:45,312 --> 00:30:47,381
Until now, we cannot
see the runway.
528
00:30:54,221 --> 00:30:56,223
There is no room for error.
529
00:30:56,290 --> 00:30:59,960
Without power, the pilots
have only one chance at landing.
530
00:30:59,993 --> 00:31:02,229
If they miss or overshoot
the runway,
531
00:31:02,296 --> 00:31:04,765
the results could be
catastrophic.
532
00:31:13,473 --> 00:31:15,442
I got it.
Just to the right.
533
00:31:22,082 --> 00:31:24,184
Minimum RAD speed is 140 knots.
534
00:31:24,218 --> 00:31:27,988
Maximum speed for gravity gear
extension, 200 knots.
535
00:31:28,021 --> 00:31:31,124
I'm not lowering the gear
until the last minute, okay?
536
00:31:31,158 --> 00:31:31,992
Okay.
537
00:31:34,862 --> 00:31:38,765
The crew struggle to lose
height and speed for landing.
538
00:31:41,268 --> 00:31:43,971
Roger Lajes.
Six nautical miles.
539
00:31:46,707 --> 00:31:48,642
Let's open the slats.
540
00:31:48,675 --> 00:31:50,611
It will slow us down a bit.
541
00:31:51,812 --> 00:31:53,280
Slats out and locked.
542
00:31:54,481 --> 00:31:56,450
As they approach the runway,
543
00:31:56,517 --> 00:31:58,785
their speed increases
dangerously.
544
00:31:58,819 --> 00:32:02,089
Too fast and they could roll
off the end of the runway.
545
00:32:02,823 --> 00:32:05,025
- Lower the gear?
- Hold on.
546
00:32:06,827 --> 00:32:08,962
Speed is about 200.
547
00:32:10,030 --> 00:32:13,300
All right, I stabilise
the speed.
548
00:32:15,169 --> 00:32:17,271
Can you give me
a landing speed, please?
549
00:32:17,304 --> 00:32:18,906
No engine. No flaps.
550
00:32:18,939 --> 00:32:22,142
Ideal approach speed
is 170 knots.
551
00:32:22,176 --> 00:32:23,610
We're too fast!
552
00:32:23,644 --> 00:32:27,281
Yes, but the runway
is very long.
553
00:32:31,818 --> 00:32:34,688
Captain Piché now performs
a difficult series
554
00:32:34,755 --> 00:32:37,791
of swerving manoeuvres to slow
the plane down for landing.
555
00:32:49,770 --> 00:32:53,774
The plane was almost
at a 45-degree angle.
556
00:32:53,807 --> 00:32:56,009
I thought we were just going
to flip over
557
00:32:56,076 --> 00:32:57,511
and nose-dive straight down.
558
00:32:57,578 --> 00:33:00,781
The plane was circling around
the island to slow down.
559
00:33:00,814 --> 00:33:03,784
So we saw land, and then,
we saw water,
560
00:33:03,851 --> 00:33:06,620
and when I saw water again,
it really struck me
561
00:33:06,687 --> 00:33:11,825
that our chance for survival
had maybe... was gone.
562
00:33:14,194 --> 00:33:16,630
The runway is long,
yes, sure!
563
00:33:16,663 --> 00:33:18,165
But at the end,
there is a 400-foot cliff.
564
00:33:18,232 --> 00:33:19,867
If we don't stop at enough time,
565
00:33:19,933 --> 00:33:22,002
we're toast! We're dead!
566
00:33:27,441 --> 00:33:31,245
The crew line up the giant
airbus for final approach.
567
00:33:32,346 --> 00:33:34,248
Landing gear down
and locked.
568
00:33:34,281 --> 00:33:35,682
Three green.
569
00:33:36,917 --> 00:33:38,318
No flaps.
570
00:33:38,352 --> 00:33:42,256
Only the emergency brakes,
no spoilers, no reverse thrust.
571
00:33:42,322 --> 00:33:45,559
4000 feet, 195 knots.
572
00:33:51,098 --> 00:33:55,202
3000 feet, 197 knots.
573
00:34:00,207 --> 00:34:02,976
2000 feet, 200 knots.
574
00:34:03,610 --> 00:34:04,945
Alert the cabin.
575
00:34:06,680 --> 00:34:09,316
Cabin crew, one minute
to landing.
576
00:34:15,589 --> 00:34:17,024
Hang on!
577
00:34:21,028 --> 00:34:23,997
Vertical speed
at 3000 feet per minute.
578
00:34:24,031 --> 00:34:25,632
We're going way too fast.
579
00:34:26,200 --> 00:34:29,002
And the speed is increasing.
203 knots now!
580
00:34:29,036 --> 00:34:30,871
It's way too fast.
581
00:34:30,904 --> 00:34:34,341
1000 feet, 201 knots.
582
00:34:35,342 --> 00:34:36,710
I'll try to get the nose up.
583
00:34:38,445 --> 00:34:40,347
We'll arrive fast!
584
00:34:40,380 --> 00:34:43,050
But even if the crew can get
the airbus on the runway,
585
00:34:43,116 --> 00:34:45,118
they face a further problem.
586
00:34:45,152 --> 00:34:48,088
Without engines, the normal
procedures for breaking
587
00:34:48,155 --> 00:34:49,857
are severely restricted.
588
00:34:49,890 --> 00:34:53,360
For Flight 236,
the danger is far from over.
589
00:35:03,103 --> 00:35:05,439
The pilots must land the plane
without power,
590
00:35:05,506 --> 00:35:07,574
and somehow get it to stop.
591
00:35:14,615 --> 00:35:17,351
Everybody, I need you
to brace.
592
00:35:20,654 --> 00:35:22,022
Hang on!
593
00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:29,997
The Airbus hits hard
at high speed.
594
00:35:30,030 --> 00:35:31,732
The tires have blown!
595
00:35:31,765 --> 00:35:34,434
Captain Piché tries
to hold the nose down.
596
00:35:45,245 --> 00:35:46,580
Oh my God!
597
00:35:55,622 --> 00:35:57,824
After bursting eight tires,
598
00:35:57,891 --> 00:36:00,894
the plane finally stops
in the middle of the runway.
599
00:36:00,928 --> 00:36:03,997
We're safe!
We made it, we made it!
600
00:36:11,405 --> 00:36:13,507
Come on everybody, get out
of the plane right now!
601
00:36:13,540 --> 00:36:15,342
Come on, come on!
602
00:36:20,147 --> 00:36:21,615
I told you we'd make it.
603
00:36:29,189 --> 00:36:31,325
I just wanted to get out of
this airplane quickly.
604
00:36:31,358 --> 00:36:33,026
I jumped and hit
the ground hard.
605
00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:35,662
I don't think my rear end
606
00:36:35,729 --> 00:36:37,831
actually even touched
the chute at all.
607
00:36:38,498 --> 00:36:41,335
I didn't slide down
the slide, I ran down it.
608
00:36:41,368 --> 00:36:42,736
And they're just,
"Get out! Get out!"
609
00:36:42,803 --> 00:36:44,705
So, you're just running out
of this aircraft!
610
00:36:45,272 --> 00:36:47,174
What in God's name
just happened?
611
00:36:47,207 --> 00:36:49,276
And I fell down
to the ground, literally,
612
00:36:49,309 --> 00:36:51,211
and I just started crying.
613
00:36:51,945 --> 00:36:54,882
And once you're off the plane
and you're evacuated,
614
00:36:54,948 --> 00:36:56,250
you want to know what happened.
615
00:36:59,953 --> 00:37:02,656
Piché and de Jager
had flown their Airbus
616
00:37:02,723 --> 00:37:06,059
without power further than
any passenger jets in history.
617
00:37:06,093 --> 00:37:08,729
As news of their
remarkable achievement spread
618
00:37:08,795 --> 00:37:12,232
around the world, they found
themselves reluctant heroes.
619
00:37:12,833 --> 00:37:15,169
You don't have time, really,
to think about anything else
620
00:37:15,235 --> 00:37:19,306
than the taking care of the
safety of your passengers.
621
00:37:19,373 --> 00:37:22,509
That's your main goal, and since
we didn't have any engine,
622
00:37:22,576 --> 00:37:25,679
the other main goal
was to make the landing safely.
623
00:37:25,746 --> 00:37:28,282
So at that time, I guess
the experience came in,
624
00:37:28,348 --> 00:37:31,552
you know, with the help
of my colleague,
625
00:37:31,618 --> 00:37:34,121
that's why we made
a successful landing.
626
00:37:34,154 --> 00:37:35,422
You train for the worst,
627
00:37:35,489 --> 00:37:38,458
but you never know how you'll
deal with situations like this.
628
00:37:38,492 --> 00:37:40,928
And reflecting afterwards,
629
00:37:40,994 --> 00:37:43,830
I feel we dealt
in the most professional
630
00:37:43,897 --> 00:37:46,099
and complete manner we could.
631
00:37:46,133 --> 00:37:47,935
...a feeling of being grateful
632
00:37:48,001 --> 00:37:51,405
to see all the passengers
were okay.
633
00:37:52,039 --> 00:37:53,674
Something like this happens,
634
00:37:53,740 --> 00:37:55,909
you never know what is going
to happen really.
635
00:37:55,943 --> 00:37:58,212
I mean, you start
not to believe it,
636
00:37:58,278 --> 00:38:00,848
I mean, makes no sense
that a big jet
637
00:38:00,914 --> 00:38:04,885
with two engines has
no more power with 300 people
on board, you know.
638
00:38:04,918 --> 00:38:08,222
But although the public story
was a success,
639
00:38:08,288 --> 00:38:10,858
disturbing questions remained.
640
00:38:10,891 --> 00:38:14,528
Why had a highly sophisticated
airliner run out of fuel?
641
00:38:14,561 --> 00:38:18,131
What exactly had happened
to Flight 236?
642
00:38:18,932 --> 00:38:21,969
Away from the cameras,
an accident investigation
643
00:38:22,035 --> 00:38:24,638
began immediately
by the Portuguese, Canadian
644
00:38:24,705 --> 00:38:26,607
and French transport
authorities.
645
00:38:28,242 --> 00:38:29,776
Initial checks
quickly confirmed
646
00:38:29,843 --> 00:38:32,880
that all the fuel tanks of
the airbus were indeed empty.
647
00:38:32,913 --> 00:38:35,516
But to lose more than
17 tons of fuel
648
00:38:35,582 --> 00:38:39,319
in such a short space of time
meant they had a major leak.
649
00:38:39,353 --> 00:38:41,722
The question was, where?
650
00:38:42,356 --> 00:38:44,691
Engineers examined
the fuel systems
651
00:38:44,725 --> 00:38:47,461
searching for faults
in the tanks and the fuel lines.
652
00:38:47,494 --> 00:38:50,564
It wasn't long before
they found what they were
looking for.
653
00:38:50,597 --> 00:38:52,566
Just by the right engine.
654
00:38:54,434 --> 00:38:56,737
In this particular case,
you had a hydraulic tube
655
00:38:56,803 --> 00:39:01,942
that's relatively small
by comparison to the larger
fuel tube.
656
00:39:01,975 --> 00:39:04,711
And the hydraulic tube,
657
00:39:04,778 --> 00:39:08,515
due possibly to pulsations
in the hydraulic system,
658
00:39:08,582 --> 00:39:12,019
were abrading against
the larger tube.
659
00:39:12,052 --> 00:39:16,190
And eventually, the larger tube
had a leak in it
660
00:39:16,256 --> 00:39:18,659
and the leak,
or not the leak itself,
661
00:39:18,725 --> 00:39:23,030
but the hole, eventually,
possibly led in to a fracture
662
00:39:23,096 --> 00:39:25,999
of the tube, allowing
this massive fuel flow
663
00:39:26,066 --> 00:39:27,734
outside the engine.
664
00:39:29,369 --> 00:39:32,072
The investigators
began checking Air Transat
665
00:39:32,139 --> 00:39:33,740
maintenance records.
666
00:39:33,774 --> 00:39:36,109
They discovered that
on the 17th of August,
667
00:39:36,176 --> 00:39:38,078
five days before the flight,
668
00:39:38,145 --> 00:39:40,614
Air Transat had removed
the right-hand engine
669
00:39:40,681 --> 00:39:43,450
for maintenance and installed
a replacement unit
670
00:39:43,517 --> 00:39:45,118
sent by Rolls Royce.
671
00:39:46,787 --> 00:39:49,523
But as they analysed
the repair logs for the engine,
672
00:39:49,590 --> 00:39:51,925
they uncovered
a shocking mistake.
673
00:39:51,959 --> 00:39:53,994
This was not a case
of faulty design,
674
00:39:54,061 --> 00:39:56,263
but of faulty maintenance.
675
00:39:57,798 --> 00:39:59,867
Rolls Royce had supplied
the engine
676
00:39:59,933 --> 00:40:01,969
without a hydraulic
pump assembly.
677
00:40:02,002 --> 00:40:04,805
To overcome this,
Transat mechanics had used
678
00:40:04,872 --> 00:40:06,773
the parts from an older engine.
679
00:40:08,509 --> 00:40:10,210
But they didn't fit properly
680
00:40:10,277 --> 00:40:13,146
and the pipes had been rubbing
together for five days.
681
00:40:13,180 --> 00:40:18,185
Until, midway over the Atlantic,
one finally broke.
682
00:40:18,218 --> 00:40:23,590
The engine was delivered minus
these two tubes and a bracket.
683
00:40:23,624 --> 00:40:25,459
The purpose of that bracket
684
00:40:25,526 --> 00:40:27,728
was to maintain
adequate clearance.
685
00:40:27,761 --> 00:40:30,931
So if they took the bracket off
the old engine
686
00:40:30,998 --> 00:40:32,733
and put it on the new engine,
687
00:40:32,799 --> 00:40:35,602
the pipes would be
locked together
688
00:40:35,669 --> 00:40:38,605
so that they could
possibly abrade.
689
00:40:39,239 --> 00:40:44,378
So the mechanics,
I can't fault them,
690
00:40:44,444 --> 00:40:47,114
but they were not given
specific instructions
691
00:40:47,181 --> 00:40:50,717
to verify the 3 mm clearance.
692
00:40:50,751 --> 00:40:54,121
As Investigators questioned
Air Transat mechanics,
693
00:40:54,188 --> 00:40:57,658
they found more disturbing
evidence of malpractice.
694
00:40:58,892 --> 00:41:01,728
The chief mechanic testified
that he had been concerned
695
00:41:01,795 --> 00:41:04,765
about the substitution
of another hydraulic assembly.
696
00:41:04,798 --> 00:41:06,867
Five days before the accident,
697
00:41:06,934 --> 00:41:09,336
he raised his concerns
with his superior.
698
00:41:12,906 --> 00:41:15,742
He was told that it would cost
too much to have the aircraft
699
00:41:15,809 --> 00:41:17,544
waiting for the missing parts
700
00:41:17,611 --> 00:41:20,047
and to go ahead with
the substitution.
701
00:41:23,417 --> 00:41:26,286
The replacement parts only
differed from the correct ones
702
00:41:26,353 --> 00:41:28,121
by a few millimetres,
703
00:41:28,188 --> 00:41:32,292
but it was a difference
that almost cost 306 lives.
704
00:41:44,371 --> 00:41:46,773
A few days after the accident,
705
00:41:46,840 --> 00:41:49,776
Air Transat publicly
accepted responsibility
706
00:41:49,843 --> 00:41:51,578
for the faulty maintenance.
707
00:41:52,045 --> 00:41:54,982
We have to realize
that there was a small mistake
708
00:41:55,048 --> 00:41:58,285
made in terms
of changing the pump.
709
00:41:58,318 --> 00:42:04,124
We installed it, but then,
some pipes,
710
00:42:04,191 --> 00:42:06,927
so to speak, were needed
to be connected with the pump
711
00:42:06,960 --> 00:42:08,295
and there was a mismatch.
712
00:42:08,328 --> 00:42:12,399
The immediate consequences
for Air Transat in that event
713
00:42:12,466 --> 00:42:15,869
was that they got
to pay a fine of a quarter
of a million dollars
714
00:42:15,936 --> 00:42:18,472
which was the highest ever
in Canada,
715
00:42:18,539 --> 00:42:22,509
for an error that
could've been prevented.
716
00:42:22,543 --> 00:42:28,015
How someone that is supposed
to be qualified in their job
717
00:42:28,081 --> 00:42:33,820
can... put the wrong part
onto an engine
718
00:42:33,887 --> 00:42:38,659
and risk 300 people's lives
719
00:42:38,692 --> 00:42:41,161
is... beyond me.
720
00:42:41,195 --> 00:42:43,463
This incident is a very
strong reminder
721
00:42:43,530 --> 00:42:46,800
that regulation is important
and safety is important,
722
00:42:46,867 --> 00:42:49,703
and lives will be lost
in the absence of that.
723
00:42:49,736 --> 00:42:52,072
And they're real lives,
it's not just, you know,
724
00:42:52,139 --> 00:42:54,441
this imaginary figure
in your head of 300 people.
725
00:42:54,474 --> 00:42:57,744
It's real people who suffer
and continue to suffer,
726
00:42:57,811 --> 00:42:59,746
as we all... If it hadn't have
been us suffering,
727
00:42:59,813 --> 00:43:01,281
it would have been our families.
728
00:43:04,551 --> 00:43:07,087
This was by no means
the end of the story.
729
00:43:07,120 --> 00:43:11,325
Investigators now turned their
attention to the cockpit itself.
730
00:43:14,661 --> 00:43:18,632
What role had the crew played in
the events of August the 24th?
731
00:43:20,501 --> 00:43:23,036
Could they have done more
to avert the crisis?
732
00:43:25,205 --> 00:43:27,774
Key questions remained
unanswered.
733
00:43:29,610 --> 00:43:32,779
Questions about what
happened on the flight deck?
734
00:43:38,018 --> 00:43:41,154
The investigation
into Air Transat Flight 236
735
00:43:41,221 --> 00:43:44,825
discovered that basic
maintenance errors had
led to the fuel leak.
736
00:43:44,858 --> 00:43:47,060
Air Transat accepted
responsibility
737
00:43:47,127 --> 00:43:48,896
and were heavily fined.
738
00:43:50,664 --> 00:43:53,133
But the focus now turned
on the flight deck
739
00:43:53,200 --> 00:43:54,968
and the performance of the crew.
740
00:43:55,002 --> 00:43:57,604
What part did they play
in the fuel loss?
741
00:43:57,638 --> 00:43:59,840
Wing cross-feed. On.
742
00:44:01,074 --> 00:44:02,809
On.
743
00:44:02,876 --> 00:44:04,811
When the crew opened
the cross-feed valve
744
00:44:04,878 --> 00:44:07,881
to transfer fuel from the left
wing tank to the right,
745
00:44:07,948 --> 00:44:11,084
they lost 17 tons of fuel
in less than 30 minutes,
746
00:44:11,151 --> 00:44:13,487
yet they failed to close
the cross-feed valve
747
00:44:13,554 --> 00:44:15,389
and prevent further loss.
748
00:44:15,422 --> 00:44:18,759
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!
We have lost both engines
due to fuel starvation.
749
00:44:18,792 --> 00:44:20,093
We are gliding now.
750
00:44:21,461 --> 00:44:23,363
In the days after
the incident,
751
00:44:23,430 --> 00:44:26,300
Captain Robert Piché
and Dirk de Jager were called
752
00:44:26,366 --> 00:44:30,470
before the enquiry and asked
in detail about their actions.
753
00:44:34,174 --> 00:44:36,343
More than two years later,
754
00:44:36,410 --> 00:44:39,046
these findings have still
not been published.
755
00:44:40,214 --> 00:44:42,616
What follows are
possible explanations
756
00:44:42,683 --> 00:44:44,651
for the course of events
that night,
757
00:44:44,718 --> 00:44:47,487
based on known facts
and expert opinion.
758
00:44:49,756 --> 00:44:52,392
"Oil temp low" and
"Oil pressure high" on number 2.
759
00:44:52,459 --> 00:44:55,996
The warnings
of "high oil pressure"
and "low oil temperature"
760
00:44:56,063 --> 00:44:57,965
from the engine
on the right wing
761
00:44:58,031 --> 00:44:59,867
would not have led
the pilots to suspect
762
00:44:59,933 --> 00:45:02,536
that there was already
a major fuel leak.
763
00:45:04,171 --> 00:45:07,241
The indications that were
being presented with respect
764
00:45:07,307 --> 00:45:11,445
to the oils systems
would probably not give
the crew any indications.
765
00:45:12,513 --> 00:45:18,418
They may have questioned
what was causing the erroneous
766
00:45:18,485 --> 00:45:21,121
or strange indications,
767
00:45:21,188 --> 00:45:24,858
but there is nothing
certainly in my mind,
768
00:45:24,925 --> 00:45:28,228
or their training I think,
that would have triggered them
769
00:45:28,295 --> 00:45:32,566
to suspect that the fuel system
might be involved.
770
00:45:32,599 --> 00:45:35,102
Bet you it's
a computer problem.
771
00:45:35,135 --> 00:45:36,670
But although
the pilots thought
772
00:45:36,737 --> 00:45:39,239
they had a computer error,
the oil warnings
773
00:45:39,306 --> 00:45:42,142
were actually correct, and
were the first indication
774
00:45:42,209 --> 00:45:44,244
of a much more serious problem.
775
00:45:48,148 --> 00:45:50,284
Fuel imbalance warning.
776
00:45:50,317 --> 00:45:52,286
Haven't seen that before.
777
00:45:52,319 --> 00:45:54,221
When the fuel imbalance
warning came up
778
00:45:54,288 --> 00:45:56,390
20 minutes later,
showing less fuel
779
00:45:56,456 --> 00:45:58,158
in the right wing than the left,
780
00:45:58,225 --> 00:46:00,928
it seemed unconnected
with the oil alarms.
781
00:46:00,961 --> 00:46:03,530
This could have reinforced
Captain Piché's idea
782
00:46:03,597 --> 00:46:06,533
that he was facing a series
of computer errors.
783
00:46:06,567 --> 00:46:09,436
"Do not apply this procedure
if a fuel leak is suspected..."
784
00:46:09,469 --> 00:46:12,406
Despite his doubts,
Captain Piché was obliged
785
00:46:12,472 --> 00:46:15,209
to follow Airbus procedure
to correct the imbalance.
786
00:46:15,242 --> 00:46:17,377
He opened the cross-feed valve.
787
00:46:17,411 --> 00:46:19,913
Wing cross-feed, on.
788
00:46:24,151 --> 00:46:26,753
But was following
the checklist enough?
789
00:46:26,787 --> 00:46:31,024
You just can't idly flip
switches in response to commands
790
00:46:31,091 --> 00:46:34,661
from the computers and
anticipate that all will be well
791
00:46:34,728 --> 00:46:36,897
at the end of it, you know,
792
00:46:36,964 --> 00:46:38,565
once the checklist is complete,
793
00:46:38,632 --> 00:46:40,734
we can sit there fat,
dumb and happy.
794
00:46:40,767 --> 00:46:43,670
That's not the case at all.
795
00:46:44,671 --> 00:46:47,074
You've got to keep
second-guessing it,
796
00:46:47,107 --> 00:46:49,176
"Is that right, did we do
the right checklist?
797
00:46:49,209 --> 00:46:51,345
Have we got the results
that we need?"
798
00:46:51,378 --> 00:46:54,882
Once the pilots calculated
the high rate of fuel loss,
799
00:46:54,948 --> 00:46:57,518
they should have suspected
a major leak.
800
00:46:57,551 --> 00:47:00,888
Transat 236 heavy,
declaring fuel emergency.
801
00:47:00,954 --> 00:47:03,223
By the time they had
confirmed the leak,
802
00:47:03,290 --> 00:47:05,392
their options were
severely limited.
803
00:47:05,425 --> 00:47:07,194
They were flying blind,
as it were.
804
00:47:07,227 --> 00:47:09,796
There was no checklist
information provided to them.
805
00:47:09,830 --> 00:47:12,199
They had assumed that once
they had engaged
806
00:47:12,266 --> 00:47:14,067
in this procedure,
that the situation
807
00:47:14,101 --> 00:47:16,570
would resolve itself,
and it wasn't.
808
00:47:18,639 --> 00:47:20,507
Now, they had a choice:
809
00:47:20,574 --> 00:47:23,177
"Do I close the cross-feed
810
00:47:23,243 --> 00:47:26,013
and see what happens?
811
00:47:26,079 --> 00:47:28,182
Or do I leave
the cross-feed open
812
00:47:28,248 --> 00:47:30,984
as the fuel imbalance checklist
813
00:47:31,051 --> 00:47:34,955
has dictated and maybe the
situation will correct itself?"
814
00:47:35,022 --> 00:47:39,293
The crew wasn't really sure.
It wasn't an eventuality...
815
00:47:39,326 --> 00:47:42,963
It wasn't a situation they had
been trained for, I am sure.
816
00:47:44,131 --> 00:47:49,536
They were in new ground with
really no guidance to help them.
817
00:47:49,570 --> 00:47:53,373
If they'd left
the cross-feed open
818
00:47:53,440 --> 00:47:55,976
or whether they closed
the cross-feed,
819
00:47:56,043 --> 00:48:01,048
I would only be speculating
as to what changes
820
00:48:01,114 --> 00:48:05,052
it might have resulted
in the outcome of this event.
821
00:48:05,085 --> 00:48:07,588
Captain Piché believed
for a long time
822
00:48:07,654 --> 00:48:10,157
that he was facing
a computer error.
823
00:48:10,190 --> 00:48:12,259
It was only when the engines
finally stopped
824
00:48:12,326 --> 00:48:15,762
that he had to accept
the fuel leak was genuine.
825
00:48:16,797 --> 00:48:19,600
The technological complexity
of modern aircraft
826
00:48:19,666 --> 00:48:22,102
can help to make them safer
and more reliable.
827
00:48:22,135 --> 00:48:24,171
But it can also lead
to the problems
828
00:48:24,238 --> 00:48:27,908
that nearly brought catastrophe
to Air Transat 236.
829
00:48:27,941 --> 00:48:31,612
Discrepancies in replacement
parts led to a fuel leak.
830
00:48:31,645 --> 00:48:35,148
Distrust in computers led the
crew to misread the situation.
831
00:48:35,182 --> 00:48:39,486
These errors combined
to have huge implications.
832
00:48:39,520 --> 00:48:42,556
Only because air traffic control
initially sent the plane
833
00:48:42,589 --> 00:48:46,693
60 miles south to avoid
congestion was Flight 236
834
00:48:46,760 --> 00:48:49,596
close enough to the Azores
when the crisis struck.
835
00:48:49,663 --> 00:48:52,032
Otherwise, it would have had
to ditch in the ocean.
836
00:48:53,800 --> 00:48:57,204
The investigation
remains unpublished.
837
00:48:57,237 --> 00:49:01,275
Airbus blamed the pilots
for mishandling the fuel leak.
838
00:49:01,308 --> 00:49:03,544
Robert Piché and Dirk de Jager
839
00:49:03,610 --> 00:49:06,046
continue to fly
with Air Transat.
840
00:49:06,647 --> 00:49:10,551
In August 2002, they received
the highest honours
841
00:49:10,584 --> 00:49:13,020
of the Air Line Pilots
Association
842
00:49:13,053 --> 00:49:14,755
for the longest glide
ever accomplished
843
00:49:14,821 --> 00:49:16,456
in a passenger airline.
844
00:49:17,090 --> 00:49:20,127
After the accident,
Airbus modified its checklist
845
00:49:20,194 --> 00:49:22,462
in the event of fuel imbalance.
846
00:49:22,529 --> 00:49:25,866
From now on, the computer checks
all the fuel levels on board
847
00:49:25,933 --> 00:49:27,701
against the flight plan.
848
00:49:27,734 --> 00:49:30,771
It now gives a clear warning
if more fuel is being lost
849
00:49:30,838 --> 00:49:33,407
than the engines can consume.
850
00:49:34,775 --> 00:49:37,644
Rolls Royce has re-issued
a service bulletin
851
00:49:37,711 --> 00:49:40,514
alerting all its clients
of the incompatibility
852
00:49:40,581 --> 00:49:42,716
of two almost similar parts.
853
00:49:45,452 --> 00:49:48,589
For the passengers trapped
on Flight 236,
854
00:49:48,655 --> 00:49:52,159
the trauma has left them
with mixed feelings.
855
00:49:52,693 --> 00:49:56,396
Alright, let's stabilize
the speed.
856
00:49:56,430 --> 00:50:00,467
This accident
wasn't caused by simply...
857
00:50:01,802 --> 00:50:04,605
...one omission by any one
individual.
858
00:50:04,638 --> 00:50:07,674
As is typical of most
aircraft accidents.
859
00:50:07,708 --> 00:50:09,943
There's a whole chain of events,
860
00:50:10,010 --> 00:50:14,548
a whole series of events
that lead to the incident
861
00:50:14,615 --> 00:50:18,685
or to the accident and this
accident was no different.
862
00:50:26,527 --> 00:50:29,696
Whatever the circumstances
are, the pressure
863
00:50:29,763 --> 00:50:32,366
that he was under
is tremendous.
864
00:50:33,200 --> 00:50:35,402
He got that plane down safely,
865
00:50:35,469 --> 00:50:38,772
only blew out 8 of the 12 tires.
866
00:50:38,805 --> 00:50:40,874
And saved 300 people.
867
00:50:40,908 --> 00:50:43,076
He saved 300 people's lives.
868
00:50:46,613 --> 00:50:50,250
Captain Piché saved our lives,
869
00:50:50,317 --> 00:50:53,820
and whether or not
he made an error,
870
00:50:53,887 --> 00:50:56,990
or if there was a failure
of the computer,
871
00:50:57,057 --> 00:51:00,093
it doesn't really matter
because we're alive.
872
00:51:04,865 --> 00:51:07,067
Do I think he's a hero? No.
873
00:51:07,100 --> 00:51:09,770
Do I think he's a hell
of a pilot? Yes.
874
00:51:09,803 --> 00:51:12,840
Thank God the islands
of the Azures were there
875
00:51:12,906 --> 00:51:14,741
and basically saved our lives.
876
00:51:14,775 --> 00:51:20,480
But if that fuel pump broke
two, five minutes beforehand,
877
00:51:20,547 --> 00:51:23,283
we would have ended up
into the water
878
00:51:23,350 --> 00:51:25,252
and I wouldn't be here
to tell the story.
879
00:51:30,824 --> 00:51:33,093
difuze