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(Narrator): Just moments
after taking off
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00:00:04,804 --> 00:00:07,140
from a remote
island in Norway...
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00:00:09,676 --> 00:00:11,077
- Something's wrong.
4
00:00:11,144 --> 00:00:13,613
(Narrator): ... the pilots
of Wideroe Flight 8-3-9
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00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:15,515
lose control of their plane.
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00:00:15,582 --> 00:00:17,083
- Oh God.
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00:00:17,150 --> 00:00:18,985
(Narrator): It plunges
into the Norwegian Sea,
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00:00:19,052 --> 00:00:21,488
killing everyone on board.
9
00:00:23,790 --> 00:00:28,361
In the wreckage, investigators
find damage to a critical part.
10
00:00:29,029 --> 00:00:31,231
- The upper end is broken.
11
00:00:32,866 --> 00:00:35,101
- It didn't make
a great deal of sense.
12
00:00:35,168 --> 00:00:38,972
(Narrator): And when they
learn another Wideroe flight
13
00:00:39,039 --> 00:00:41,975
nearly met the same fate
at the same airport...
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- It looks like they lost
control of the plane
15
00:00:43,843 --> 00:00:45,078
for two minutes...
16
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(passengers screaming)
- We're going over.
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00:00:49,616 --> 00:00:50,817
(passengers screaming)
18
00:00:50,884 --> 00:00:54,521
(Narrator): ...they discover
a controversial decision
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that put lives at risk.
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- I wish that we had put
our foot down
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and said no more.
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(radio): Mayday, mayday!
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Pull up.
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(radio chatter)
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(eerie music)
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- Putting the seatbelt sign on.
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(Narrator): Wideroe Flight
8-3-6
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is heading to a remote outpost
on the Lofoten archipelago
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in the Norwegian Sea.
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- Lofoten is one of the most
beautiful places in Norway.
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It's a place where Norwegians
would want to go on holiday
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to experience untouched nature
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and especially
the beautiful mountains.
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00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:04,090
(Narrator): Tonight's flight
is carrying 11 passengers.
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00:02:04,157 --> 00:02:06,259
Most are Norwegians,
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traveling to the islands
from the mainland.
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(radio): Wideroe 8-3-6.
Runway 25 free.
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Winds variable 10 21
at 2-6-0 degrees.
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Visibility 25-hundred meters.
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- Copy that, Wideroe 8-3-6.
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00:02:29,582 --> 00:02:33,286
(Narrator): Wideroe is Norway's
largest regional airline.
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00:02:33,353 --> 00:02:36,389
It serves remote communities
across the country.
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(Lise): Since the 1960's and
70's it was a push in Norway
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to build regional airports
in rural areas.
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It made people
feel less isolated
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and it made traveling
a lot easier.
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(Narrator): The plane
is heading first
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to the small island of Vaeroy
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and then southwest to Rost
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before returning to
the mainland city of Bodo.
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- Approach checklist.
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(Narrator): 12 miles
from the airport,
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the crew prepares for landing.
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- The crew was experienced
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but this was the first time the
captain had flown into Vaeroy.
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- Altimeters.
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- Set.
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(Narrator): They're flying
a De Havilland Twin Otter.
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00:03:30,577 --> 00:03:34,080
It's a twin turboprop
utility aircraft,
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00:03:34,147 --> 00:03:36,983
a workhorse for
getting in and out
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00:03:37,050 --> 00:03:39,219
of small remote airports.
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- The best airplane
in the world.
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It's an incredibly
sturdy aircraft.
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Very pilot-friendly.
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We have a long,
mountainous coast
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and for that
the Twin Otter was perfect.
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- Landing lights.
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On.
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(Narrator):
Wideroe Flight 8-3-6
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is now minutes from
landing at Vaeroy.
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- And seat belt... already on.
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(Narrator):
But the airport is notorious
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for unpredictable winds.
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- Vaeroy translated
means "the weather island".
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The airport was located
to the north of the island
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between the mountain
and the sea.
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It's a very demanding
flying environment
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because the weather
changes all the time,
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so the pilots have
to adapt to that.
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- Set flaps.
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Flaps set.
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(Narrator):
With the runway in sight,
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the pilots begin to line up
for landing.
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But, just as the plane turns...
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it's rocked by turbulence.
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00:05:01,100 --> 00:05:02,835
- I have control.
87
00:05:03,870 --> 00:05:05,438
- You have control.
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00:05:07,607 --> 00:05:09,942
(Harald): When flying at Vaeroy,
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you will experience turbulence,
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and you will be tossed around.
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00:05:18,284 --> 00:05:21,387
- This isn't getting better.
Go around.
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00:05:24,824 --> 00:05:28,194
- He obviously decided that the
situation was not good to land
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so he went around.
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00:05:29,696 --> 00:05:31,397
It was a great call
on his part.
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- Flaps up.
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(Narrator): As the captain
powers out of the landing,
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00:05:37,770 --> 00:05:41,007
the plane is hit with
a powerful downdraft
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00:05:41,074 --> 00:05:43,543
and extreme turbulence.
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00:05:46,746 --> 00:05:48,681
(Harald): You get sort of
a tunnel vision
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00:05:48,748 --> 00:05:51,651
when you're in a situation
like that.
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00:05:51,718 --> 00:05:54,721
And you pull out
all your resources
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00:05:54,787 --> 00:05:58,358
and you try to counteract
the situation that you're in.
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00:06:00,993 --> 00:06:02,662
(Narrator): For two minutes,
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00:06:02,729 --> 00:06:05,064
the captain struggles
to level the plane.
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00:06:05,932 --> 00:06:07,633
(grunting)
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- He was in extreme turbulence.
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00:06:10,570 --> 00:06:12,238
You're momentarily
out of control.
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00:06:12,305 --> 00:06:14,040
You may or may not
regain control.
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00:06:16,376 --> 00:06:18,745
(grunting)
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00:06:24,183 --> 00:06:25,785
- We're going over.
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00:06:26,719 --> 00:06:29,122
(Narrator): The force
of the wind becomes so great
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that the plane rolls over
speeding toward the mountains.
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- Altitude?
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- I-I can't see anything.
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00:06:41,167 --> 00:06:45,338
(passengers screaming)
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00:06:45,972 --> 00:06:48,074
(grunting)
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Come on!
118
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Come on!
119
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(passengers screaming)
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00:07:01,053 --> 00:07:03,489
(Narrator): Only 250
feet from the ground,
121
00:07:03,556 --> 00:07:07,994
the captain levels the plane
and pulls out of the dive.
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00:07:12,999 --> 00:07:14,934
(sighs)
123
00:07:15,001 --> 00:07:17,103
- I just can't believe
that he recovered
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00:07:17,170 --> 00:07:18,871
at such a low altitude.
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00:07:23,443 --> 00:07:25,678
- Put in headings for Rost.
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00:07:30,283 --> 00:07:33,486
- Wideroe 8-3-6
has aborted landing,
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00:07:33,553 --> 00:07:35,521
redirecting to Rost.
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00:07:35,588 --> 00:07:39,192
(radio): Copy that,
Wideroe 8-3-6. Stay safe.
129
00:07:39,258 --> 00:07:41,127
- Everyone okay back there?
130
00:07:48,134 --> 00:07:52,038
(Narrator): Wideroe Flight
8-3-6 escapes disaster.
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No one on board is injured.
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00:07:57,777 --> 00:08:00,480
- I'm still shaking
my head at that one.
133
00:08:00,546 --> 00:08:02,582
That was an ace pilot.
134
00:08:04,584 --> 00:08:06,619
(Narrator): In the city of Bodo,
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00:08:06,686 --> 00:08:10,323
officials from Wideroe Airlines
cancel all flights into Vaeroy
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00:08:10,389 --> 00:08:12,525
while they try
and piece together
137
00:08:12,592 --> 00:08:15,394
what happened with Flight 8-3-6.
138
00:08:15,461 --> 00:08:18,364
As part of
an internal investigation,
139
00:08:18,431 --> 00:08:20,666
the pilot is interviewed.
140
00:08:21,467 --> 00:08:23,402
- We were lining up
for approach.
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00:08:23,469 --> 00:08:26,772
Turbulence was getting
worse and worse.
142
00:08:28,140 --> 00:08:29,742
I have control.
143
00:08:32,211 --> 00:08:34,347
It was obvious we couldn't land.
144
00:08:34,413 --> 00:08:36,616
I applied power to the engines
145
00:08:36,682 --> 00:08:39,785
and we climbed
to about 1800 feet
146
00:08:39,852 --> 00:08:44,490
where we got hit
with a massive downdraft.
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00:08:48,361 --> 00:08:50,029
We're going over.
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00:08:50,096 --> 00:08:52,732
(passengers screaming)
149
00:08:56,535 --> 00:08:59,105
I battled that plane,
150
00:08:59,705 --> 00:09:02,208
trying to keep it away
from the mountains.
151
00:09:03,409 --> 00:09:05,845
Come on!
152
00:09:08,247 --> 00:09:10,049
Come on!
153
00:09:11,517 --> 00:09:13,986
Eventually I was able
to level out,
154
00:09:14,053 --> 00:09:18,090
climbed to a safe altitude
and turned for Rost.
155
00:09:20,126 --> 00:09:23,696
- It would be terrifying
for them, I'm sure.
156
00:09:25,097 --> 00:09:29,035
- I've heard stories
about that airport.
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00:09:30,403 --> 00:09:32,238
And they're true.
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00:09:34,807 --> 00:09:37,310
(Harald):
The pilots were not very happy.
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00:09:38,177 --> 00:09:42,548
We realized this had
been a serious incident
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00:09:42,615 --> 00:09:45,518
and we had to tighten
the operational requirement
161
00:09:45,585 --> 00:09:48,955
at the island to
make Vaeroy safer.
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00:09:51,958 --> 00:09:54,827
(Narrator): The first action
taken by Wideroe officials
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00:09:54,894 --> 00:09:58,698
is to reduce the maximum wind
speeds for takeoff and landing
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00:09:58,764 --> 00:10:02,902
at Vaeroy airport
from 20 to 15 knots.
165
00:10:02,969 --> 00:10:06,572
Wideroe asks the
Civil Aviation Authority
166
00:10:06,639 --> 00:10:08,541
to install anemometers,
167
00:10:08,607 --> 00:10:11,544
devices that monitor
and transmit wind speeds.
168
00:10:11,611 --> 00:10:14,547
Two are installed at each end
of the airstrip.
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00:10:14,614 --> 00:10:16,816
And one is installed
on the mountain.
170
00:10:16,882 --> 00:10:19,118
- The mountain is
its own weather maker.
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00:10:19,185 --> 00:10:21,887
It can cause winds
to change in direction,
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00:10:21,954 --> 00:10:22,888
change in speed,
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00:10:22,955 --> 00:10:25,057
which are conducive to making
174
00:10:25,124 --> 00:10:26,959
some serious turbulence.
175
00:10:28,794 --> 00:10:31,864
(Narrator): It's called
terrain-induced turbulence.
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00:10:31,931 --> 00:10:34,634
When winds hit
the mountains on Vaeroy,
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they tend to accelerate
over the top
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00:10:36,702 --> 00:10:39,305
and drop down
towards the airstrip.
179
00:10:39,372 --> 00:10:42,875
This creates powerful
downdrafts and crosswinds.
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00:10:42,942 --> 00:10:46,345
The sudden changes
in wind speeds and direction
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00:10:46,412 --> 00:10:48,347
can create wind shear
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and cause a pilot
to lose control.
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(Harald): This was
a difficult place to operate
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00:10:54,687 --> 00:10:57,189
when the wind was flowing
over the mountains
185
00:10:57,256 --> 00:10:58,991
and down onto the airport
186
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and we had to
tighten those restrictions
187
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quite severely and quickly.
188
00:11:07,166 --> 00:11:09,101
(Narrator): But will
the restrictions at Vaeroy
189
00:11:09,168 --> 00:11:12,705
be enough to ensure
the safety of future flights?
190
00:11:19,345 --> 00:11:23,215
r): It's been 15 months
since Wideroe Flight 8-3-6
191
00:11:23,282 --> 00:11:25,317
had their close call
at Vaeroy airport.
192
00:11:25,384 --> 00:11:29,722
Wideroe flight 8-3-9
has just landed at Vaeroy
193
00:11:29,789 --> 00:11:32,892
and is refueling before
heading back to the mainland
194
00:11:32,958 --> 00:11:34,927
for Easter weekend.
195
00:11:34,994 --> 00:11:37,196
- Anti-collision light.
196
00:11:38,597 --> 00:11:39,865
- On.
197
00:11:39,932 --> 00:11:42,001
- Aft and forward boost.
198
00:11:42,068 --> 00:11:43,202
- On.
199
00:11:43,269 --> 00:11:46,072
(Narrator):
Captain Idar Nils Persen
200
00:11:46,138 --> 00:11:48,307
is the pilot in command.
201
00:11:48,908 --> 00:11:53,412
(Harald): Idar was a very
level-headed fella.
202
00:11:53,479 --> 00:11:57,983
He was a top-rated pilot
and he'd been with us for years.
203
00:11:58,050 --> 00:11:59,919
- Start switch.
204
00:11:59,985 --> 00:12:01,287
- Left engine.
205
00:12:02,154 --> 00:12:06,792
(Narrator): The first officer
is Arnt Vidar Gronneflåta.
206
00:12:06,859 --> 00:12:09,128
- On. Right engine.
207
00:12:09,195 --> 00:12:13,199
- Right engine. On.
208
00:12:13,766 --> 00:12:17,436
- The first officer
was fairly new.
209
00:12:17,503 --> 00:12:20,840
I think he'd been with us
for only about a year.
210
00:12:23,642 --> 00:12:27,346
- Look at that windsock.
It's flapping like mad.
211
00:12:28,347 --> 00:12:30,950
- Welcome to Vaeroy.
212
00:12:31,016 --> 00:12:32,451
Buckle up, folks.
213
00:12:32,518 --> 00:12:34,954
It's going to be a bit
bumpy getting out of here.
214
00:12:35,020 --> 00:12:37,890
(Narrator): There are three
passengers onboard,
215
00:12:37,957 --> 00:12:40,059
including a young couple.
216
00:12:40,126 --> 00:12:42,495
- Vaeroy, Wideroe 8-3-9
ready to taxi.
217
00:12:42,561 --> 00:12:44,296
(radio): Wideroe 8-3-9 roger.
218
00:12:44,363 --> 00:12:46,932
No known traffic, runway free,
219
00:12:46,999 --> 00:12:49,702
wind variable middle direction
220
00:12:49,769 --> 00:12:52,905
2-5-0 at 21 max 57,
221
00:12:52,972 --> 00:12:55,775
QNH Niner-8-8.
222
00:12:55,841 --> 00:12:57,476
- Copy, Niner-8-8.
223
00:12:59,445 --> 00:13:01,814
(Doug): The captain,
he was a local pilot.
224
00:13:01,881 --> 00:13:03,382
He knew the weather.
225
00:13:03,449 --> 00:13:06,085
He knew the limitations
of the aircraft.
226
00:13:06,152 --> 00:13:07,753
Knew the limitations
of the airport.
227
00:13:09,455 --> 00:13:12,424
(Narrator): As they line up
at the end of the runway,
228
00:13:12,491 --> 00:13:15,861
the crew performs the
Before Take-off checklist.
229
00:13:17,797 --> 00:13:19,598
- Flaps set 10.
230
00:13:19,665 --> 00:13:21,233
- Set 10.
231
00:13:21,300 --> 00:13:24,136
- Heading set to 2-8-0.
232
00:13:24,203 --> 00:13:26,672
- Let's make it 3-2-0.
233
00:13:27,373 --> 00:13:29,141
Just get clearance.
234
00:13:29,208 --> 00:13:31,610
It's calm now.
We should get going.
235
00:13:31,677 --> 00:13:32,845
- Copy that.
236
00:13:32,912 --> 00:13:35,781
Tower, Wideroe 8-3-9
requesting clearance.
237
00:13:35,848 --> 00:13:37,316
- Wideroe 8-3-9,
238
00:13:37,383 --> 00:13:40,753
Bodo control clears Wideroe
8-3-9 direct Bodo
239
00:13:40,820 --> 00:13:44,757
at 5,000 feet
and squawk 0-1-3-5.
240
00:13:44,824 --> 00:13:46,258
- Copy.
241
00:13:46,325 --> 00:13:47,760
Wideroe 8-3-9.
242
00:13:47,827 --> 00:13:49,461
- Here we go.
243
00:13:55,267 --> 00:13:56,936
- Wind has varied
244
00:13:57,002 --> 00:14:00,272
2-1-0 to 2-9-0 degrees
245
00:14:00,339 --> 00:14:02,508
with gusts of 34.
246
00:14:02,575 --> 00:14:05,511
- Yeah. Roger. We are rolling.
247
00:14:06,946 --> 00:14:08,814
70 knots...
248
00:14:09,448 --> 00:14:11,083
80 knots...
249
00:14:15,654 --> 00:14:17,223
rotate.
250
00:14:17,289 --> 00:14:20,893
(Narrator): At 2:43,
Wideroe Flight 8-3-9
251
00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:24,396
takes off from Vaeroy
and heads for the mainland.
252
00:14:26,232 --> 00:14:30,035
The return flight to Bodo
will take less than 30 minutes.
253
00:14:34,039 --> 00:14:35,741
- Flaps up.
254
00:14:37,543 --> 00:14:39,945
(Narrator):
10 seconds after takeoff...
255
00:14:40,012 --> 00:14:41,847
(rattling)
256
00:14:41,914 --> 00:14:44,950
...a strange noise
catches the pilots' attention.
257
00:14:46,118 --> 00:14:48,754
(Harald): You don't want
anything unusual to happen
258
00:14:48,821 --> 00:14:50,823
in that phase
of the flight
259
00:14:50,890 --> 00:14:53,559
since you are
very close to the ground.
260
00:14:55,194 --> 00:14:58,564
(Narrator): They struggle
to keep the plane level.
261
00:14:59,899 --> 00:15:01,533
- Steady.
262
00:15:02,768 --> 00:15:04,803
(rattling)
263
00:15:04,870 --> 00:15:06,939
Something's wrong.
264
00:15:15,948 --> 00:15:19,785
(Narrator): And then,
the nose of the plane drops
265
00:15:19,852 --> 00:15:22,254
and the captain can't
do anything to raise it.
266
00:15:22,321 --> 00:15:25,557
- No, no, no, no.
267
00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:32,398
(passengers screaming)
268
00:15:33,866 --> 00:15:35,167
- Oh God.
269
00:15:35,801 --> 00:15:38,938
(Narrator): Just 63 seconds
after lifting off...
270
00:15:41,106 --> 00:15:43,108
Wideroe Flight 8-3-9
271
00:15:44,576 --> 00:15:46,211
slams into the sea.
272
00:15:46,278 --> 00:15:49,014
(alarm sounds)
273
00:15:52,051 --> 00:15:56,822
- Wideroe 8-3-9, this is Vaeroy
Tower. Do you copy?
274
00:15:56,889 --> 00:16:01,560
Wideroe 8-3-9,
Vaeroy information on 119.4.
275
00:16:09,134 --> 00:16:11,804
(Narrator): Within hours,
search and rescue teams
276
00:16:11,870 --> 00:16:14,707
spot debris
on the ocean's surface,
277
00:16:14,773 --> 00:16:17,943
6.5 kilometers northwest
of the airport.
278
00:16:20,012 --> 00:16:23,716
- The wreckage was found
three days after the accident.
279
00:16:24,583 --> 00:16:27,886
Harsh sea conditions
made it a challenge.
280
00:16:30,889 --> 00:16:33,525
(Narrator): The bodies
of the three passengers
281
00:16:33,592 --> 00:16:36,061
and the first officer
are recovered.
282
00:16:36,128 --> 00:16:39,665
Captain Persen remains
are never found.
283
00:16:41,300 --> 00:16:44,536
- The accident
caused a lot of grief.
284
00:16:44,603 --> 00:16:47,773
Vaeroy is a small island
where everyone know each other,
285
00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:50,709
so everyone felt they had
lost someone close to them.
286
00:16:51,844 --> 00:16:53,812
(Narrator): Investigators
287
00:16:53,879 --> 00:16:56,949
from the Norwegian Accident
Commission for Civil Aviation,
288
00:16:57,016 --> 00:17:00,753
or HSL, soon arrive
on the island.
289
00:17:02,521 --> 00:17:05,557
- The purpose of the Wideroe
investigation
290
00:17:05,624 --> 00:17:09,695
was to find out what happened
during that incident.
291
00:17:13,665 --> 00:17:15,434
- I was manager air safety
292
00:17:15,501 --> 00:17:16,702
for Boeing Canada
De Havilland Division,
293
00:17:16,769 --> 00:17:19,538
and I traveled to Vaeroy
294
00:17:19,605 --> 00:17:22,174
to assist with
the investigation.
295
00:17:23,275 --> 00:17:25,477
The airfield was spectacular,
296
00:17:25,544 --> 00:17:29,048
but I was somewhat surprised
in the closeness
297
00:17:29,114 --> 00:17:33,285
of the mountain range which
paralleled the entire runway.
298
00:17:35,120 --> 00:17:36,422
- Thank you.
299
00:17:36,488 --> 00:17:39,558
(Narrator): Investigators start
by interviewing the controller,
300
00:17:39,625 --> 00:17:41,960
who briefs pilots
on the local weather.
301
00:17:42,027 --> 00:17:43,896
- Sorry about that.
- That's fine.
302
00:17:43,962 --> 00:17:45,664
Can you walk me
through what happened
303
00:17:45,731 --> 00:17:46,832
the day of the accident?
304
00:17:46,899 --> 00:17:48,300
- A normal day by our standards.
305
00:17:48,367 --> 00:17:50,969
They landed at 14:30.
306
00:17:51,036 --> 00:17:54,740
Refueled, changed passengers
and asked to taxi out.
307
00:17:54,807 --> 00:17:57,109
The whole turnaround
was less than 15 minutes.
308
00:17:57,176 --> 00:17:59,745
- What were the winds
when they took off?
309
00:17:59,812 --> 00:18:02,514
- It was gusting
when they were parked
310
00:18:02,581 --> 00:18:04,683
but eased off to 34
on the west end.
311
00:18:04,750 --> 00:18:07,019
The winds were coming
from every direction.
312
00:18:07,086 --> 00:18:08,887
It's pretty common.
313
00:18:08,954 --> 00:18:12,157
- Did the pilots have any
hesitation about taking off?
314
00:18:12,224 --> 00:18:13,592
- No. None at all.
315
00:18:13,659 --> 00:18:15,094
- And what about the take off?
316
00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:18,430
(Narrator):
The controller explains
317
00:18:18,497 --> 00:18:20,165
that after the plane passed
the tower,
318
00:18:22,101 --> 00:18:25,938
it turned and then
disappeared into the clouds.
319
00:18:26,004 --> 00:18:28,474
- What was the cloud
ceiling at the time?
320
00:18:28,540 --> 00:18:30,576
- 1,000 feet.
321
00:18:30,642 --> 00:18:32,177
I received a distress signal
322
00:18:32,244 --> 00:18:35,247
and a few seconds later
I heard a bang.
323
00:18:37,316 --> 00:18:38,617
That was fast.
324
00:18:38,684 --> 00:18:41,386
They were airborne for
just over a minute.
325
00:18:41,453 --> 00:18:44,189
- Did they call mayday
326
00:18:44,256 --> 00:18:47,860
or relay any information
about mechanical issues?
327
00:18:47,926 --> 00:18:49,828
- Nothing.
328
00:18:50,796 --> 00:18:53,832
- That was helpful. Thank you.
329
00:18:55,033 --> 00:18:57,503
(Narrator): Could there have
been a structural failure
330
00:18:57,569 --> 00:19:00,973
or loss of power
which caused Flight 8-3-9
331
00:19:01,039 --> 00:19:03,775
to crash so quickly
into the sea?
332
00:19:08,747 --> 00:19:10,949
s
survey the wreckage
333
00:19:11,016 --> 00:19:12,684
of Wideroe Flight 8-3-9
334
00:19:12,751 --> 00:19:14,887
for any signs that
would explain a crash
335
00:19:14,953 --> 00:19:16,655
so soon after takeoff.
336
00:19:16,722 --> 00:19:20,526
- Nose and cockpit
completely crushed.
337
00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:24,997
Both wings, engines,
338
00:19:25,063 --> 00:19:28,333
undercarriage and tail section
339
00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:31,770
severed from
the fuselage on impact
340
00:19:31,837 --> 00:19:33,939
and carried forward.
341
00:19:34,006 --> 00:19:36,608
A high energy impact.
342
00:19:38,677 --> 00:19:41,079
(Jim): With the nose
buckled the way it was
343
00:19:41,146 --> 00:19:44,016
and the left wing tip buckled;
344
00:19:44,082 --> 00:19:46,118
we had a pretty good idea
345
00:19:46,185 --> 00:19:48,954
of how the aircraft
impacted the sea.
346
00:19:52,724 --> 00:19:54,927
(Narrator): The wreckage
tells investigators
347
00:19:54,993 --> 00:19:58,797
the plane entered the water
nose first at a high speed.
348
00:20:02,935 --> 00:20:06,405
The team considers
whether engine failure
349
00:20:06,471 --> 00:20:08,707
caused the high-speed impact.
350
00:20:08,774 --> 00:20:11,343
The manufacturer
provides their report.
351
00:20:11,410 --> 00:20:13,345
- No fire damage.
352
00:20:13,412 --> 00:20:16,548
Both engines appeared
to be running at high RPM
353
00:20:16,615 --> 00:20:19,418
and torque
at the time of impact.
354
00:20:19,484 --> 00:20:22,487
- The engine
manufacturer determined
355
00:20:22,554 --> 00:20:23,889
that the engines were running
356
00:20:23,956 --> 00:20:26,858
and they were ruled out
very, very quickly.
357
00:20:28,493 --> 00:20:30,696
(Narrator):
With engine failure ruled out,
358
00:20:30,762 --> 00:20:34,499
they wonder whether any parts
that control the plane's pitch
359
00:20:34,566 --> 00:20:36,201
or steering failed,
360
00:20:36,268 --> 00:20:38,804
causing it to
plunge into the sea.
361
00:20:41,206 --> 00:20:44,009
- The right elevator
sheared in half,
362
00:20:44,076 --> 00:20:45,844
maybe due to impact.
363
00:20:47,913 --> 00:20:50,349
(Narrator): The elevator
is a control surface
364
00:20:50,415 --> 00:20:53,318
on the Twin Otter's tail
that adjusts pitch.
365
00:20:56,755 --> 00:20:59,925
Investigators discover
something unusual
366
00:20:59,992 --> 00:21:02,661
in the elevator connecting rod.
367
00:21:06,164 --> 00:21:08,367
The elevator connecting rod
368
00:21:08,433 --> 00:21:11,770
moves the elevators
up and down on the tail.
369
00:21:12,371 --> 00:21:15,507
It's activated when
the pilot pushes or pulls
370
00:21:15,574 --> 00:21:17,609
on the control column.
371
00:21:18,310 --> 00:21:20,045
- The upper end is broken.
372
00:21:20,112 --> 00:21:24,383
(Narrator): What would cause
such a vital part to break?
373
00:21:24,449 --> 00:21:27,886
- You shouldn't have
any preconceived notions
374
00:21:27,953 --> 00:21:29,888
as to why the part failed.
375
00:21:31,323 --> 00:21:33,358
- Let's get this
elevator rod to metallurgy.
376
00:21:33,425 --> 00:21:35,861
I want to know how it failed.
377
00:21:38,363 --> 00:21:40,165
- Did the part fail
378
00:21:40,232 --> 00:21:42,567
because there was
a manufacturing defect?
379
00:21:42,634 --> 00:21:46,872
Did it fail because
there was a tool mark on it?
380
00:21:46,938 --> 00:21:50,909
You should let the part
tell you the story.
381
00:21:52,411 --> 00:21:54,212
(Narrator):
While investigators wait
382
00:21:54,279 --> 00:21:55,714
for the metallurgical results,
383
00:21:55,781 --> 00:21:57,983
they research
the plane's history,
384
00:21:58,050 --> 00:22:00,852
looking for any clues
into what might have caused
385
00:22:00,919 --> 00:22:03,522
the elevator
connecting rod to fail.
386
00:22:03,588 --> 00:22:06,291
- The Twin Otter DHC 6-300
387
00:22:06,358 --> 00:22:09,661
was purchased
by Wideroe in 1977.
388
00:22:10,329 --> 00:22:12,397
- The last daily inspection
was carried out
389
00:22:12,464 --> 00:22:13,799
the day of the accident.
390
00:22:13,865 --> 00:22:16,068
Maintenance all in accordance
with current regulations.
391
00:22:16,134 --> 00:22:18,103
- So not a maintenance issue.
392
00:22:19,938 --> 00:22:22,374
(Phone rings)
393
00:22:23,208 --> 00:22:25,877
(Tor): The investigators
went through
394
00:22:25,944 --> 00:22:28,246
all the maintenance
documentation.
395
00:22:28,313 --> 00:22:30,982
All the inspections
was completed
396
00:22:31,049 --> 00:22:33,518
and no deviations was found.
397
00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:37,489
(Narrator): With maintenance
ruled out as a cause
398
00:22:37,556 --> 00:22:40,025
for the failure of
the elevator connecting rod,
399
00:22:40,092 --> 00:22:43,428
investigators review the results
of a metallurgical examination
400
00:22:43,495 --> 00:22:45,964
performed on the rod.
401
00:22:46,898 --> 00:22:49,368
- There's no
pre-existing cracks.
402
00:22:49,434 --> 00:22:52,504
There's banding here and here.
403
00:22:53,472 --> 00:22:57,409
- Banding is created because
you have a repeated load
404
00:22:57,476 --> 00:22:59,578
that is applied on and off
to your part.
405
00:22:59,644 --> 00:23:01,980
And every time
the load is applied,
406
00:23:02,047 --> 00:23:05,050
you have a crack that
grows a little bit more
407
00:23:05,117 --> 00:23:09,154
and it creates a rainbow
on the fracture surface.
408
00:23:10,188 --> 00:23:13,458
(Narrator): The report also
reveals the banding occurred
409
00:23:13,525 --> 00:23:16,528
because of sideways
bending on the rod.
410
00:23:18,263 --> 00:23:19,998
(Jim): This was highly unusual.
411
00:23:20,065 --> 00:23:24,002
There's never any
side loads on that rod.
412
00:23:24,069 --> 00:23:26,405
It just moves up and down.
413
00:23:26,471 --> 00:23:29,508
So, it didn't make
a great deal of sense.
414
00:23:30,542 --> 00:23:33,078
(Narrator):
Investigators examine schematics
415
00:23:33,145 --> 00:23:35,547
of the tail section
of the Twin Otter
416
00:23:35,614 --> 00:23:37,349
to determine what would bend
417
00:23:37,416 --> 00:23:40,852
the elevator connecting rod
sideways, causing it to break.
418
00:23:40,919 --> 00:23:44,790
- So what if this elevator
broke in flight?
419
00:23:46,992 --> 00:23:50,562
- It would swing freely,
and uncontrollably.
420
00:23:50,629 --> 00:23:53,532
- It would definitely
cause the rod to bend.
421
00:23:58,904 --> 00:24:00,639
(Narrator):
If the right elevator
422
00:24:00,705 --> 00:24:02,774
separated from
its mounts in flight,
423
00:24:02,841 --> 00:24:05,343
it would swing
in every direction,
424
00:24:05,410 --> 00:24:07,779
putting sideways
pressure on the rod,
425
00:24:07,846 --> 00:24:10,248
and ultimately
causing it to break.
426
00:24:11,716 --> 00:24:16,021
- First the elevator.
Then the rod.
427
00:24:17,556 --> 00:24:19,991
- It's the only thing
that makes sense.
428
00:24:20,926 --> 00:24:23,929
- It's kind of like
the cart before the horse.
429
00:24:23,995 --> 00:24:27,299
The control rod would
not have seen any loads
430
00:24:27,365 --> 00:24:29,768
had the elevator not broken.
431
00:24:30,769 --> 00:24:34,873
(Narrator): What would cause
the elevator to break in flight?
432
00:24:34,940 --> 00:24:36,775
- Maybe the cockpit
voice recorder
433
00:24:36,842 --> 00:24:38,810
can shed some light on that.
434
00:24:45,584 --> 00:24:48,320
- Okay let's start
with the takeoff roll.
435
00:24:49,287 --> 00:24:51,022
(Narrator):
Norwegian investigators
436
00:24:51,089 --> 00:24:53,124
listen to the cockpit
voice recorder
437
00:24:53,191 --> 00:24:55,627
for clues as to how
the right elevator
438
00:24:55,694 --> 00:24:58,830
on Wideroe Flight
8-3-9 might have come loose,
439
00:24:58,897 --> 00:25:01,199
bending the connecting rod.
440
00:25:01,266 --> 00:25:04,936
(recorder): 70 knots. 80 knots.
441
00:25:05,003 --> 00:25:07,239
Rotate.
442
00:25:07,305 --> 00:25:10,942
(Tor): It was amazing that
the cockpit voice recorder
443
00:25:11,009 --> 00:25:13,645
was in the aircraft
in the first place
444
00:25:13,712 --> 00:25:16,114
because it was not
mandatory at the time.
445
00:25:19,551 --> 00:25:20,585
- Flaps up.
446
00:25:20,652 --> 00:25:22,721
(rattling)
447
00:25:28,293 --> 00:25:30,662
- Did you hear that
clattering noise?
448
00:25:31,029 --> 00:25:33,598
- Strange.
449
00:25:38,336 --> 00:25:40,171
(recorder): Steady.
450
00:25:45,810 --> 00:25:47,679
Something's wrong.
451
00:25:48,046 --> 00:25:49,281
(rattling)
452
00:25:49,347 --> 00:25:52,817
Stop. There it is again.
453
00:25:53,685 --> 00:25:56,121
- Was that the elevator?
454
00:25:56,988 --> 00:25:59,457
- Play it back again.
455
00:26:00,458 --> 00:26:03,128
(Jim): When I listened
to the CVR,
456
00:26:03,194 --> 00:26:06,231
there was nothing
that I could pinpoint
457
00:26:06,298 --> 00:26:10,302
as being the source
of the clattering sound.
458
00:26:13,605 --> 00:26:15,540
(rattling)
459
00:26:15,607 --> 00:26:17,842
- Could it have been the
elevator breaking?
460
00:26:17,909 --> 00:26:21,279
It was possible but we
really just don't know.
461
00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:23,748
- Do you hear the propellers?
462
00:26:23,815 --> 00:26:26,217
(Narrator): Fifty-five seconds
into the flight,
463
00:26:26,284 --> 00:26:28,887
investigators hear
the sound of propellers
464
00:26:28,954 --> 00:26:30,622
rotating out of sync.
465
00:26:31,656 --> 00:26:34,859
This occurs when there's a
change in the aircraft's pitch.
466
00:26:34,926 --> 00:26:36,928
- Turbulence?
467
00:26:37,862 --> 00:26:39,397
- It has to be.
468
00:26:39,798 --> 00:26:44,402
- A sudden gust of wind
or change in wind direction
469
00:26:44,469 --> 00:26:47,472
would cause
the propellers to adjust
470
00:26:47,539 --> 00:26:51,409
to compensate for the changing
attitude of the aircraft.
471
00:26:52,844 --> 00:26:55,914
(Narrator): Investigators
discover that Wideroe 8-3-9
472
00:26:55,981 --> 00:27:00,285
was struck by severe turbulence
shortly after takeoff.
473
00:27:00,352 --> 00:27:03,521
- The crash happens
just 10 seconds later.
474
00:27:06,091 --> 00:27:08,827
(passengers screaming)
475
00:27:08,893 --> 00:27:11,730
- No. No, no, no.
476
00:27:11,796 --> 00:27:13,431
- Oh God!
477
00:27:24,542 --> 00:27:26,544
- So where were they exactly
478
00:27:26,611 --> 00:27:28,613
when they were struck
by severe turbulence?
479
00:27:28,680 --> 00:27:31,182
- Well, Standard Operating
Procedure calls for a rate
480
00:27:31,249 --> 00:27:33,685
of ascent of 1000 to
12-hundred feet per minute.
481
00:27:33,752 --> 00:27:36,888
- So they would
have hit turbulence
482
00:27:36,955 --> 00:27:41,292
right after they entered
clouds at about 1000 feet.
483
00:27:42,527 --> 00:27:46,264
And, that mountain ridge there
is just over a thousand feet.
484
00:27:47,766 --> 00:27:50,502
- It looks like
terrain-induced turbulence.
485
00:27:54,039 --> 00:27:59,144
(Harald): The quicker you could
get away from the mountains,
486
00:27:59,210 --> 00:28:01,179
the better it was.
487
00:28:01,246 --> 00:28:04,382
- How bad could those
winds have been?
488
00:28:05,984 --> 00:28:08,787
(Narrator): Investigators learn
of the near crash
489
00:28:08,853 --> 00:28:12,357
of the other Wideroe plane,
Flight 8-3-6,
490
00:28:12,424 --> 00:28:15,560
on approach to Vaeroy,
15 months earlier.
491
00:28:16,428 --> 00:28:18,396
- It looks like they lost
control of the plane
492
00:28:18,463 --> 00:28:21,599
for two minutes,
even went inverted.
493
00:28:25,870 --> 00:28:29,441
- At what altitude
did they lose control?
494
00:28:29,507 --> 00:28:31,776
- About 1800 feet,
495
00:28:31,843 --> 00:28:35,647
just after he aborted the
landing on runway 25
496
00:28:35,714 --> 00:28:37,882
due to winds.
497
00:28:40,085 --> 00:28:43,221
(Narrator): Both flights
encountered dangerous winds
498
00:28:43,288 --> 00:28:46,391
at or above the mountain ridges.
499
00:28:46,458 --> 00:28:48,426
- Were any measures
put into place
500
00:28:48,493 --> 00:28:50,261
to prevent this from
happening again?
501
00:28:50,328 --> 00:28:53,298
- After Flight 8-3-6's missed
approach,
502
00:28:53,364 --> 00:28:56,935
Flight Order 17 was
put into place.
503
00:28:57,001 --> 00:28:58,603
So they made this change,
504
00:28:58,670 --> 00:29:02,340
"Landings and departures must
not be planned or executed
505
00:29:02,407 --> 00:29:04,676
with variable winds
above 15 knots."
506
00:29:05,710 --> 00:29:07,812
So they reduced the maximum
allowable wind speeds
507
00:29:07,879 --> 00:29:10,548
for takeoff and landing.
508
00:29:11,649 --> 00:29:16,054
- Wideroe established some very
significant wind restrictions
509
00:29:16,121 --> 00:29:21,092
using some very experienced
crew to develop them.
510
00:29:21,159 --> 00:29:25,230
But there was still
unpredictability.
511
00:29:25,296 --> 00:29:28,366
- Anemometers were also
installed
512
00:29:28,433 --> 00:29:30,368
at both ends of the runway
513
00:29:30,435 --> 00:29:34,038
and on the mountain ridge.
514
00:29:36,541 --> 00:29:38,476
(Doug): It's good
to have an anemometer
515
00:29:38,543 --> 00:29:39,978
on top of the mountain.
516
00:29:40,044 --> 00:29:43,414
It just gives the pilot more
information for the landing.
517
00:29:43,481 --> 00:29:46,384
- So what were
the mountain winds
518
00:29:46,451 --> 00:29:48,686
at the time of flight 8-3-9?
519
00:29:51,623 --> 00:29:56,728
- Huh. There is no anemometer
data for the mountain.
520
00:30:00,665 --> 00:30:05,503
- If it doesn't provide data,
it's absolutely no use.
521
00:30:06,371 --> 00:30:08,573
(Narrator):
Investigators contact
522
00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:10,175
the Civil Aviation Authority
523
00:30:10,241 --> 00:30:12,977
to determine why there weren't
any mountain anemometer
524
00:30:13,044 --> 00:30:15,113
wind readings
at the time of the crash
525
00:30:15,180 --> 00:30:17,515
of Wideroe Fight 8-3-9.
526
00:30:17,582 --> 00:30:19,417
- Thank you.
527
00:30:21,953 --> 00:30:24,589
The anemometer was taken down.
528
00:30:26,858 --> 00:30:29,494
(Narrator): They learn that the
anemometer on the mountain
529
00:30:29,561 --> 00:30:33,131
wasn't reliable because
of the icy conditions.
530
00:30:33,198 --> 00:30:35,033
A year after being installed,
531
00:30:35,099 --> 00:30:38,136
it was removed from
the mountain for repair.
532
00:30:39,037 --> 00:30:41,105
- It gets worse.
533
00:30:41,172 --> 00:30:43,274
It was never reinstalled.
534
00:30:43,341 --> 00:30:46,277
It was officially
taken out of service
535
00:30:46,344 --> 00:30:48,413
three days before the accident.
536
00:30:53,251 --> 00:30:55,553
(Doug): The removal
of the anemometer
537
00:30:55,620 --> 00:30:57,488
is a degradation of safety.
538
00:30:57,555 --> 00:31:00,925
It's information that a pilot
would certainly require
539
00:31:00,992 --> 00:31:02,293
for an airport like that.
540
00:31:02,360 --> 00:31:04,162
- Okay.
541
00:31:04,229 --> 00:31:07,198
So, what wind information
542
00:31:07,265 --> 00:31:10,335
were the pilots
actually getting, and when?
543
00:31:12,470 --> 00:31:15,673
(Narrator): Investigators
listen to the CVR recording
544
00:31:15,740 --> 00:31:20,178
of Wideroe Flight 8-3-9,
before it landed at Vaeroy.
545
00:31:20,245 --> 00:31:21,946
(recording): I'm going to
bank west of the island
546
00:31:22,013 --> 00:31:23,715
to avoid more turbulence.
547
00:31:23,781 --> 00:31:25,817
I'm getting updrafts already.
548
00:31:25,884 --> 00:31:27,185
- Copy that.
549
00:31:27,252 --> 00:31:30,555
- Wideroe 8-3-9. Runway free...
550
00:31:30,622 --> 00:31:35,059
Wind east side 270
degrees at max 23.
551
00:31:35,126 --> 00:31:36,394
- Understood.
552
00:31:36,461 --> 00:31:38,429
Wideroe 8-3-9.
553
00:31:40,565 --> 00:31:42,367
- Twenty three knots.
554
00:31:42,433 --> 00:31:44,669
That's eight knots
above the limit.
555
00:31:44,736 --> 00:31:47,038
- They shouldn't even have
landed the inbound flight
556
00:31:47,105 --> 00:31:48,339
in the first place.
557
00:31:48,406 --> 00:31:51,509
What about when
they were on the ground?
558
00:32:00,518 --> 00:32:02,820
(recording):
Look at that windsock.
559
00:32:02,887 --> 00:32:05,556
It's flapping like mad.
560
00:32:05,623 --> 00:32:07,125
- Welcome to Vaeroy.
561
00:32:10,061 --> 00:32:12,797
- The pilot was talking
a lot about the wind
562
00:32:12,864 --> 00:32:15,800
and they were discussing
that the wind
563
00:32:15,867 --> 00:32:17,669
was coming from all directions.
564
00:32:17,735 --> 00:32:20,438
(air traffic control):
Wideroe 8-3-9, roger.
565
00:32:20,505 --> 00:32:23,207
No known traffic, runway free,
566
00:32:23,274 --> 00:32:25,810
wind variable
middle direction
567
00:32:25,877 --> 00:32:29,881
at two five zero at 21 max 57.
568
00:32:29,948 --> 00:32:32,016
- Could you say again. Max 57?
569
00:32:32,083 --> 00:32:34,786
- Yeah. Max 57.
570
00:32:37,989 --> 00:32:39,724
- Copy.
571
00:32:42,994 --> 00:32:45,229
- 57 knots.
572
00:32:46,698 --> 00:32:51,369
(Narrator): 57 knots is
more than 65 miles per hour.
573
00:32:52,837 --> 00:32:56,274
- Yeah. The manual says that the
Twin Otter must not be operated
574
00:32:56,341 --> 00:32:59,644
on the ground
in winds above 50 knots.
575
00:33:01,446 --> 00:33:04,882
- He is sticking
his neck out on the line
576
00:33:04,949 --> 00:33:06,684
and I'm not quite sure
why he did that.
577
00:33:06,751 --> 00:33:09,754
- Were the winds that strong
when they took off?
578
00:33:13,524 --> 00:33:15,994
- They go through their
pre-takeoff checklist
579
00:33:16,060 --> 00:33:17,795
and then...
580
00:33:18,997 --> 00:33:20,398
- Just get clearance.
581
00:33:20,465 --> 00:33:22,734
It's calm now.
We should get going.
582
00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:24,102
- Copy that.
583
00:33:24,168 --> 00:33:26,537
- The captain says its calm.
584
00:33:26,604 --> 00:33:28,673
What's he basing that on?
Windsocks?
585
00:33:28,740 --> 00:33:30,041
- The rains had stopped.
586
00:33:30,108 --> 00:33:32,577
Maybe it looked like
the weather was clearing.
587
00:33:35,113 --> 00:33:37,081
(Harald):
If a shower was approaching,
588
00:33:37,148 --> 00:33:39,283
you could expect variable winds.
589
00:33:39,350 --> 00:33:41,986
But when the shower passed,
590
00:33:42,053 --> 00:33:44,756
you could expect
a lull in the wind.
591
00:33:48,826 --> 00:33:51,429
- According to the transcript,
592
00:33:51,496 --> 00:33:54,532
they get their next wind report
as they're about to take off.
593
00:33:55,700 --> 00:33:59,037
(radio):
Wind has varied two one zero
594
00:33:59,103 --> 00:34:02,507
to two nine zero degrees
with gusts of 34.
595
00:34:02,573 --> 00:34:04,909
- Yeah. Roger. We are rolling.
596
00:34:07,712 --> 00:34:10,281
- They took off
in a 34-knot wind.
597
00:34:10,348 --> 00:34:12,383
That's more than
double the limit.
598
00:34:14,318 --> 00:34:17,021
- If the winds were gusting at
57 knots on the ground,
599
00:34:17,088 --> 00:34:18,990
then who knows
how strong the winds were
600
00:34:19,056 --> 00:34:20,892
coming off the mountain.
601
00:34:22,026 --> 00:34:24,295
- Strong enough
to break the elevator.
602
00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:31,369
(Doug): When he hit the lip
of the mountain,
603
00:34:31,436 --> 00:34:35,206
I bet he encountered
60, 70, 80 knot winds.
604
00:34:37,775 --> 00:34:41,446
It obviously caused severe
to extreme turbulence.
605
00:34:42,747 --> 00:34:44,015
- Steady.
606
00:34:44,082 --> 00:34:46,818
(Narrator): The team concludes
the winds were strong enough
607
00:34:46,884 --> 00:34:49,520
to break the right elevator
from of its mounts,
608
00:34:49,587 --> 00:34:52,156
causing the connecting rod
to break,
609
00:34:52,223 --> 00:34:54,959
making both elevators unusable.
610
00:34:55,026 --> 00:34:56,994
- Something's wrong.
611
00:34:57,795 --> 00:35:00,932
- They ignored Wideroe's wind
limits on the ground
612
00:35:02,133 --> 00:35:04,435
and they had no wind limits
613
00:35:04,502 --> 00:35:06,938
in the dangerous area
around the mountain.
614
00:35:07,004 --> 00:35:09,640
Why were they so eager to leave?
615
00:35:12,076 --> 00:35:14,712
- This was Easter weekend
616
00:35:14,779 --> 00:35:18,349
and there is an incentive
to get home.
617
00:35:20,251 --> 00:35:24,989
There was clearly some
concern, but they went.
618
00:35:33,531 --> 00:35:37,335
(Narrator): To understand why
the Captain of Flight 8-3-9
619
00:35:37,401 --> 00:35:40,238
took off in winds
that exceeded company limits,
620
00:35:40,304 --> 00:35:43,307
investigators interview
other Wideroe pilots
621
00:35:43,374 --> 00:35:45,576
about wind restrictions
at Vaeroy.
622
00:35:46,711 --> 00:35:48,980
- What has been your
experience at Vaeroy?
623
00:35:50,281 --> 00:35:52,316
I don't like it,
none of the pilots do.
624
00:35:52,383 --> 00:35:54,986
The wind reports
aren't reliable.
625
00:35:58,589 --> 00:36:00,858
- You could actually
sit on the tarmac,
626
00:36:00,925 --> 00:36:02,793
get one wind indication,
627
00:36:02,860 --> 00:36:06,297
move towards the runway,
and get another.
628
00:36:06,364 --> 00:36:09,467
- Even though the maximum
wind speeds were reduced
629
00:36:09,534 --> 00:36:10,968
from 20 knots to 15?
630
00:36:11,035 --> 00:36:14,839
- Well they were, but
they brought it back up to 20.
631
00:36:17,341 --> 00:36:20,011
(Narrator): Nine months
after the incident
632
00:36:20,077 --> 00:36:21,779
with the first Wideroe flight,
633
00:36:21,846 --> 00:36:24,849
the wind restrictions
were reversed.
634
00:36:26,317 --> 00:36:27,685
- Why would they do that?
635
00:36:27,752 --> 00:36:31,789
- My guess?
Too many cancellations.
636
00:36:35,526 --> 00:36:39,063
(Narrator): After Wideroe
lowered the wind limits,
637
00:36:39,130 --> 00:36:40,698
cancellations increased.
638
00:36:40,765 --> 00:36:44,635
That led to negative press
and anger from local residents.
639
00:36:46,003 --> 00:36:48,439
- The decision to cancel flights
640
00:36:48,506 --> 00:36:51,609
became very unpopular.
641
00:36:52,476 --> 00:36:55,913
It was so unpredictable
at Vaeroy.
642
00:36:58,516 --> 00:37:03,020
- Did pilots feel pressure
to complete the flights?
643
00:37:03,854 --> 00:37:06,390
- Yeah, but
not from the airline.
644
00:37:06,457 --> 00:37:08,259
(Harald): I had a situation
645
00:37:08,326 --> 00:37:11,162
where the weather
turned into a hurricane
646
00:37:11,229 --> 00:37:12,797
and I could not take off.
647
00:37:12,863 --> 00:37:16,467
And I got a real workover
from some of the passengers.
648
00:37:17,468 --> 00:37:19,971
(Narrator): Investigators
research the impact
649
00:37:20,037 --> 00:37:23,908
those wind related cancellations
had on Wideroe's operations.
650
00:37:26,110 --> 00:37:29,413
- Hmm. The pressure was
piling on from the public.
651
00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:31,983
- Cancellations tripled
in the last 12 months.
652
00:37:34,986 --> 00:37:37,488
- Compared to other
airports in Europe,
653
00:37:37,555 --> 00:37:38,823
Vaeroy had a lot of
cancellations.
654
00:37:38,889 --> 00:37:41,525
And the flights
were often cancelled
655
00:37:41,592 --> 00:37:44,028
quite early
when the wind was strong,
656
00:37:44,095 --> 00:37:47,298
but when the flight
was supposed to arrive,
657
00:37:47,365 --> 00:37:50,368
it could be no wind at all,
658
00:37:50,434 --> 00:37:52,703
which made people question
all the cancellations.
659
00:37:53,271 --> 00:37:56,574
- Almost all the cancellations
were being caused by winds.
660
00:37:56,641 --> 00:37:58,943
- Because of that, bad press,
661
00:37:59,010 --> 00:38:01,779
which gets the attention
of the government.
662
00:38:04,882 --> 00:38:08,452
(Harald): The government
paid the company to fly there.
663
00:38:08,919 --> 00:38:11,756
And the company
wrote the government
664
00:38:11,822 --> 00:38:14,659
and said it was extremely
difficult to operate there.
665
00:38:14,725 --> 00:38:16,694
And the reply from the
government was
666
00:38:16,761 --> 00:38:21,132
if you don't fly there, we will
have to take the money away.
667
00:38:21,666 --> 00:38:23,267
- Out of curiosity,
668
00:38:23,334 --> 00:38:27,038
how many cancellations were
there on departure from Vaeroy?
669
00:38:32,877 --> 00:38:34,779
- None.
670
00:38:35,846 --> 00:38:38,949
(Doug): Basically it's
"get-home-itis."
671
00:38:39,016 --> 00:38:41,786
If they're at the airport,
pilots are gonna tell themselves
672
00:38:41,852 --> 00:38:44,088
they're capable
of taking off as well.
673
00:38:45,122 --> 00:38:47,425
- You know, there's still
one thing I don't get.
674
00:38:50,594 --> 00:38:53,197
If the conditions
were so treacherous,
675
00:38:53,264 --> 00:38:57,601
why was this airport even
built there in the first place?
676
00:39:04,175 --> 00:39:08,112
s location
chosen for the airport?
677
00:39:09,380 --> 00:39:11,949
(Narrator):
Investigators consult officials
678
00:39:12,016 --> 00:39:14,085
about the viability
of Vaeroy airport
679
00:39:14,151 --> 00:39:16,354
to determine
if passengers and crew
680
00:39:16,420 --> 00:39:18,756
were placed at risk
unnecessarily.
681
00:39:21,359 --> 00:39:24,295
(Tor): Wideroe had
two possible locations
682
00:39:24,362 --> 00:39:26,497
for airport at the island.
683
00:39:26,564 --> 00:39:30,568
This one was chosen despite
the difficulties
684
00:39:30,634 --> 00:39:35,206
with wind conditions
near a mountain ridge.
685
00:39:37,208 --> 00:39:40,478
- Okay. And what testing
went into the decision?
686
00:39:42,413 --> 00:39:44,782
(Lise): Wideroe had done
test flights at Vaeroy
687
00:39:44,849 --> 00:39:47,952
prior to the decision
of building the airport there.
688
00:39:48,018 --> 00:39:52,089
And they had experienced
very windy conditions
689
00:39:52,156 --> 00:39:54,592
and did not recommend
building the airport there.
690
00:39:58,796 --> 00:40:02,433
- So if Wideroe was against it,
then why did it go ahead?
691
00:40:03,167 --> 00:40:06,670
- We knew that
the wind conditions at Vaeroy
692
00:40:06,737 --> 00:40:11,041
would be so difficult
it would affect regularity.
693
00:40:11,108 --> 00:40:14,712
But that advice was ignored
694
00:40:14,779 --> 00:40:17,148
by the meteorology specialists
695
00:40:17,214 --> 00:40:20,384
that the authorities
had consulted
696
00:40:20,451 --> 00:40:23,087
when it came to put
the airport on the island.
697
00:40:24,755 --> 00:40:26,991
- Maybe some of the decisions
698
00:40:27,057 --> 00:40:30,594
that were made were more
politically motivated
699
00:40:30,661 --> 00:40:32,830
than were practical.
700
00:40:35,199 --> 00:40:38,035
(Narrator): Investigators
now know the factors
701
00:40:38,102 --> 00:40:40,337
that led to the deaths
of three passengers
702
00:40:40,404 --> 00:40:43,841
and two pilots onboard
Wideroe Flight 8-3-9.
703
00:40:44,875 --> 00:40:48,212
- First up, you have
an airport next to a mountain
704
00:40:48,279 --> 00:40:50,047
resulting in dangerous winds.
705
00:40:50,114 --> 00:40:52,550
Lower wind limits are imposed
706
00:40:52,616 --> 00:40:56,620
but the result is an
increase in cancellations.
707
00:40:56,687 --> 00:40:59,223
- Which forces the limits
to change again.
708
00:40:59,290 --> 00:41:01,459
- The limits go back up,
709
00:41:01,525 --> 00:41:03,828
and then finally
the unreliable wind data,
710
00:41:03,894 --> 00:41:05,963
which results in wind reports
711
00:41:06,030 --> 00:41:10,267
being ignored by pilots.
712
00:41:14,505 --> 00:41:17,875
- Rules are established
for a reason.
713
00:41:17,942 --> 00:41:22,546
If you don't follow the rules,
you're taking a big risk.
714
00:41:22,613 --> 00:41:26,116
(radio): Wind has varied
two one zero
715
00:41:26,183 --> 00:41:30,387
to two nine zero degrees
with gusts of 34.
716
00:41:30,454 --> 00:41:33,457
- Yeah. Roger. We are rolling.
717
00:41:37,795 --> 00:41:41,765
(Narrator): Wideroe Flight
8-3-9 enters turbulent airspace
718
00:41:41,832 --> 00:41:45,269
when the winds coming off
the mountain were extreme.
719
00:41:46,070 --> 00:41:47,838
The force of the winds
720
00:41:47,905 --> 00:41:50,941
causes the right elevator
to break free...
721
00:41:53,811 --> 00:41:56,213
- Something's wrong.
722
00:41:56,280 --> 00:41:58,616
(Narrator): ...bending
the connecting rod
723
00:41:58,682 --> 00:42:00,951
until it fails.
724
00:42:04,755 --> 00:42:07,825
- No. No, no, no.
725
00:42:10,294 --> 00:42:13,964
- It was subject
to aerodynamic loads
726
00:42:14,031 --> 00:42:18,469
that exceeded the structural
strength of the tail.
727
00:42:21,572 --> 00:42:24,408
(Harald): It must have been
absolutely terrifying
728
00:42:24,475 --> 00:42:28,178
because you would pull
the control column
729
00:42:28,245 --> 00:42:30,547
without any reaction at all.
730
00:42:30,614 --> 00:42:32,683
- Oh, God!
731
00:42:42,893 --> 00:42:45,663
(Narrator): The Norwegian
Accident Commission
732
00:42:45,729 --> 00:42:46,830
for Civil Aviation
733
00:42:46,897 --> 00:42:49,600
recommends new regulations
for the distribution
734
00:42:49,667 --> 00:42:51,502
of wind information to crews
735
00:42:51,569 --> 00:42:55,072
and urges Wideroe
to ensure their pilots
736
00:42:55,139 --> 00:42:58,108
follow established restrictions.
737
00:42:58,175 --> 00:43:00,744
- The Captain wanted
to get the job done
738
00:43:00,811 --> 00:43:03,981
and he probably got away
with it other times,
739
00:43:04,048 --> 00:43:07,484
but this time
it didn't work out.
740
00:43:11,455 --> 00:43:13,757
(Narrator): Other
recommendations are made
741
00:43:13,824 --> 00:43:14,925
for Vaeroy airport,
742
00:43:14,992 --> 00:43:17,828
but ultimately
it is deemed too dangerous
743
00:43:17,895 --> 00:43:21,632
and the airport never reopens
to commercial traffic.
744
00:43:23,968 --> 00:43:27,037
- Vaeroy airport was
open only four years,
745
00:43:27,104 --> 00:43:30,240
which makes it one of
the shortest-lived airports
746
00:43:30,307 --> 00:43:31,709
in the world.
747
00:43:35,613 --> 00:43:38,782
(Harald): I wish that we
had put our foot down
748
00:43:38,849 --> 00:43:41,752
and said, "No more."
749
00:43:43,220 --> 00:43:46,390
I wish the company
had done the same.
750
00:43:48,359 --> 00:43:52,296
I wish the government
and the experts
751
00:43:52,363 --> 00:43:55,599
had listened
to our warnings earlier.
752
00:43:57,735 --> 00:44:01,472
Then we might have had
our colleagues still alive.
753
00:44:03,474 --> 00:44:07,411
(theme music)
754
00:44:07,478 --> 00:44:09,713
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