Mayday (2003)
S12E13 Vanished (Air France Flight 447)
Episode Overview
On June 1, 2009, Air France Flight 447, en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, tragically crashes into the Atlantic Ocean amid severe thunderstorms, resulting in the loss of all 216 passengers and 12 crew members. The disaster was attributed to erroneous airspeed readings caused by ice obstructing the aircraft's pitot tubes, combined with improper control maneuvers and a delayed response from the pilots to regain control of the aircraft. This devastating incident highlights critical issues in aviation safety and pilot decision-making during adverse conditions.