Out of Fuel at 39,000 Feet! | Mayday Air Disaster

I was a Airline Pilot flying 747/200/300 Aircraft with 22000 hours without incident and In 1994 Airbus told SAA that they will give them Airbus 340 series Aircraft cheaply so long as they destroyed the 747 fleet fully. I did the 340 Conversion and flew the 340 /300/600 for 4 and half years and found the Airbus system was totally illogical and had Many problems, that Factory couldn't sort out . I left SAA and went back to fly 747/300 all over the World until my Retirement, I predicted, because the pilots where loosing their Skills that there would be an accident because of the illogical Airbus 340 etc systems

Who would've thought the fact that they were slightly rerouted 60 miles off their original course would end up being the reason why everyone survived this unprecedented disaster. Those pilots deserved to be recognized for their skillful maneuvers during this situation. I definitely would consider them heroes 🫡

I love the confidence the pilots had, they were composed and tried all they could and this contributed so much in safe landing and saving the 300plus lifes

I just found this series on TV last month and can't get enough of these episodes.

To quote the movie sling blade, "I know whats wrong with it, it ain't got no gas in it"

I don't know if they will point it out in the documentary but the Ethiopian water crash they were in shallower water they actually hit a reef when they ditched. Also to add the Sully incident where they went down in the Hudson river was the first time a ditching went ok. In open water wave action probably would have been just as bad so the Ethiopian flight really tried their best being near a shore for possible rescue I still think they did more than their best and are heroes.

Just for the heck of it got to be that guy yelling “We are doomed! This is what we get for booking a flight on a budget airline!”

As a layman, closing the crossfeed valve after the inbalance wasn't being corrected would allow landing with one engine, electrical power and all instruments working. The 8 flat tires prevented running off the end of the runway.

This one and the Gimli Glider. Pichè actually broke Pearson's gliding distance record.

You can't blame pilots they did fantastic job criminal case should be filed against supervisor who asked mechinachic to let fly plane with faulty spare parts

"If we wait for the right part, it could cost us tens of thousands!" But think of all the free publicity you will get with your logo splattered across an entire episode of "Mayday" if your spontaneous re-design of an airliner doesnt work..?

A helluva team of pilot and copilot! Incredible gliding of a jet liner across the Atlantic Ocean and superb landing. The Wright brothers would be proud.

pilots here deserve massive credit!

So airbus blames the pilots but then changes their own checklists … sounds to me like they realized the problem wasn’t the pilots.

Imagine how you'd feel cruising at 39,000 feet and learning that the plane you are aboard has run out of fuel. Could be stuck up there for days........

My question is why didn’t the mechanic just say he needed the right tubes, he should not have even mentioned the other tubes. If he was asked if older parts would fit properly, he should have said NO! If they don’t fit they don’t fit! An airliner is not the place to test or Jerry rig parts!

While such disasters are obviously awful for the passengers - it's got to be 100 times worse for the pilots as whatever the outcome, they're first to know it whether good or bad, and to see or know you're not only going to die, but maybe 300+ passengers will die with you - that has to be much tougher to cope with! No amount of money is compensation for that scenario :(

All negative thoughts from the co-pilot were automatically turned into positive thoughts from the Captain that's good sound Leadership and excellent Airmanship. Well done to both pilots for saving the passengers in an unforgivable situation

Captain Pichè retired in 2017 aged 65.

I don't know if it's artistic licence, but the calmness and competence of the cabin crew in preparing the passengers for ditching comes over very strongly, at about 1m50. The crew will likely die too, yet that's not evident in their voice or demeanour. Excellent acting and scripting.