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Narrator: NEW HOPE, GEORGIA,
APRIL 4, 1977.
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00:00:05,105 --> 00:00:07,741
[TELEPHONE RINGS]
3
00:00:07,741 --> 00:00:08,742
Woman: HELLO?
4
00:00:08,742 --> 00:00:10,243
MY HUSBAND CALLED ME,
5
00:00:10,243 --> 00:00:12,912
AND HE SAID, "HONEY, WE'VE GOT
SOME BAD WEATHER COMING IN."
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00:00:15,415 --> 00:00:17,951
BOYS, COME ON IN NOW.
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00:00:17,951 --> 00:00:20,720
NASTY WEATHER'S COMING.
8
00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:22,589
Narrator:
ONE OF THE WORST STORMS IN YEARS
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IS MOVING ACROSS THE SOUTH.
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SADIE HURST RUSHES
HER CHILDREN TO SAFETY.
11
00:00:31,698 --> 00:00:34,000
Sadie Hurst:
WE HEARD THIS TREMENDOUS NOISE.
12
00:00:38,037 --> 00:00:39,539
WHEN I GOT TO THE TOP
OF THE BASEMENT STEPS
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00:00:39,539 --> 00:00:40,907
TO CLOSE THE DOOR,
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00:00:40,907 --> 00:00:44,978
I SAW A RED REFLECTION
LIKE FIRE IN THE DOOR.
15
00:00:44,978 --> 00:00:47,080
THAT'S WHEN I SAW
WHAT WAS HAPPENING.
16
00:00:50,116 --> 00:00:51,951
Narrator: 72 PEOPLE ARE KILLED
17
00:00:51,951 --> 00:00:55,855
WHEN A SOUTHERN AIRWAYS DC-9
FALLS FROM THE SKY.
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Flight attendant:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
WE ARE STARTING OUR APPROACH.
19
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Pilot: WE LOST BOTH ENGINES!
20
00:01:04,364 --> 00:01:05,398
Flight attendant:
PUT THE MASK OVER YOUR NOSE.
21
00:01:05,398 --> 00:01:06,366
EMERGENCY DESCENT.
22
00:01:06,366 --> 00:01:07,734
Pilot: MAYDAY, MAYDAY.
23
00:01:07,734 --> 00:01:09,469
Flight attendant:
BRACE FOR IMPACT!
24
00:01:09,469 --> 00:01:10,403
Controller: I THINK I LOST ONE.
25
00:01:10,403 --> 00:01:12,172
Man: INVESTIGATION STARTING...
26
00:01:13,673 --> 00:01:15,141
Man: HE'S GONNA CRASH!
27
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Flight Attendant: BOARDING PASS.
28
00:01:25,652 --> 00:01:27,554
THANK YOU.
29
00:01:27,554 --> 00:01:29,656
Attendant: GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR.
Man: GOOD AFTERNOON.
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Attendant: MAY I SEE
YOUR BOARDING PASS, PLEASE?
31
00:01:30,657 --> 00:01:31,624
Man: CERTAINLY.
32
00:01:34,594 --> 00:01:36,529
Attendant: JUST DOWN THE AISLE
ON THE RIGHT, SIR.
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00:01:36,529 --> 00:01:37,530
ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT.
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Man: THANK YOU.
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Attendant: BOARDING PASS.
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Narrator: 81 PASSENGERS BOARD
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS FLIGHT 242--
37
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A DC-9 BOUND
FOR ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
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MANY OF THEM ARE MILITARY
PERSONNEL FROM NEARBY BASES.
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CAPTAIN BILL McKENZIE AND
FIRST OFFICER LYMAN KEELE
40
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HAVE BEEN SHUTTLING PASSENGERS
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ACROSS THE AMERICAN SOUTH
ALL DAY.
42
00:02:04,023 --> 00:02:05,592
Lyman Keele:
WHO'S GOT THE LANDING?
43
00:02:05,592 --> 00:02:07,627
Bill McKenzie:
"NOT ME," SAYS THE CAPTAIN.
44
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Keele: IGNITION, SIR.
45
00:02:09,128 --> 00:02:11,030
Narrator:
PILOTS REGULARLY EXCHANGE TASKS
46
00:02:11,030 --> 00:02:13,666
ON LONG DAYS LIKE THIS ONE.
47
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FIRST OFFICER LYMAN KEELE
WILL BE HANDLING
48
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THIS LEG OF THE FLIGHT.
49
00:02:17,537 --> 00:02:19,239
HE'S AN EXPERIENCED NAVY PILOT
50
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WHO'S BEEN WITH SOUTHERN AIRWAYS
FOR FOUR YEARS.
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BEFORE THEIR LAST TAKEOFF, THE
CREW WAS HANDED A WEATHER REPORT
52
00:02:26,145 --> 00:02:29,616
FOR THE AIRPORTS
ALONG THE ROUTE.
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Keele: LOOKS LIKE YOU GUYS
GOT A GOOD ONE COMING.
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Narrator:
THE DC-9 WAS INTRODUCED IN 1965
55
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TO FLY FREQUENT, SHORT FLIGHTS.
56
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BOTH OF ITS ENGINES ARE MOUNTED
TO THE REAR FUSELAGE
57
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RATHER THAN THE WINGS.
58
00:02:46,833 --> 00:02:49,903
IT WAS DESIGNED FOR TAKEOFF
ON SHORTER RUNWAYS.
59
00:02:53,273 --> 00:02:55,208
Cathy Lemoine-Cooper:
WE HAD A 13 LANDING DAY,
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00:02:55,208 --> 00:02:57,510
WHICH WAS A LOT OF SMALL STOPS,
YOU KNOW,
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00:02:57,510 --> 00:03:00,547
ABOUT 20 OR 30 MINUTE LEGS
IN BETWEEN.
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00:03:00,547 --> 00:03:03,182
AND IT WAS SORT OF
THE TOUR OF THE SOUTH.
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00:03:03,182 --> 00:03:05,451
Narrator: SKIES HAVE BEEN SMOOTH
ALL AFTERNOON.
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00:03:05,451 --> 00:03:07,053
BUT THE WEATHER IS WORSENING.
65
00:03:07,053 --> 00:03:09,455
THE FLIGHT CREW IS PREPARED
FOR TURBULENCE.
66
00:03:09,455 --> 00:03:10,857
Lemoine-Cooper: IT WAS RAINING
IN HUNTSVILLE,
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00:03:10,857 --> 00:03:12,959
AND THEY SAID, "OH, IT'S GOING
TO BE SOME BAD WEATHER.
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DON'T SERVE."
69
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SO WE DID NOT SERVE FROM
HUNTSVILLE TO ATLANTA,
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WHICH IS A VERY SHORT ROUTE,
71
00:03:18,097 --> 00:03:20,366
AND WE WERE DELIGHTED
NOT TO BE SERVING.
72
00:03:23,636 --> 00:03:26,306
Don Foster:
I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED
THAT WE TOOK OFF WHEN WE DID,
73
00:03:26,306 --> 00:03:28,875
I REALLY THOUGHT WE'D TAXI
OUT TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY
74
00:03:28,875 --> 00:03:32,245
AND HOLD FOR A WHILE, BECAUSE
THE WEATHER LOOKED SO BAD.
75
00:03:32,245 --> 00:03:35,915
BUT WE TAXIED OUT AND
IMMEDIATELY TOOK OFF.
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Narrator: AT 3:54 PM, THE DC-9
TAKES OFF INTO A HARD RAIN.
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00:03:40,753 --> 00:03:44,557
THE SHORT HOP TO ATLANTA
SHOULD TAKE JUST 25 MINUTES.
78
00:03:44,557 --> 00:03:47,994
AS SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242
FLIES AWAY FROM HUNTSVILLE,
79
00:03:47,994 --> 00:03:49,963
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
TRACKS WEATHER
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00:03:49,963 --> 00:03:52,966
THAT IS FAR WORSE
THAN THE PILOTS EXPECT.
81
00:03:52,966 --> 00:03:56,803
TORNADOES ARE TOUCHING DOWN
ALL ACROSS THE SOUTH.
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00:03:56,803 --> 00:03:58,771
Greg Feith:
THE WEATHER IN THE SOUTHEAST
IN THE UNITED STATES
83
00:03:58,771 --> 00:04:00,406
CAN BE VERY TREACHEROUS.
84
00:04:00,406 --> 00:04:02,208
HIGH HUMIDITIES,
HIGH TEMPERATURES
85
00:04:02,208 --> 00:04:04,510
ARE A PRESCRIPTION
FOR THUNDERSTORMS.
86
00:04:04,510 --> 00:04:07,947
AND SO WITH ALL OF THAT KIND
OF MOISTURE IN THE AIR,
87
00:04:07,947 --> 00:04:10,383
AND THE HIGH CONVECTIVE HEATING,
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE
88
00:04:10,383 --> 00:04:14,020
VERY LARGE THUNDERSTORMS THAT
ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HEAVY RAINS,
89
00:04:14,020 --> 00:04:16,990
HAIL, ICING CONDITIONS,
AND EXTREME WINDS.
90
00:04:16,990 --> 00:04:19,392
AND, OF COURSE,
TORNADOES THAT WILL BE SPAWNED
91
00:04:19,392 --> 00:04:21,728
FROM THAT KIND OF ACTION.
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00:04:21,728 --> 00:04:22,996
Narrator:
HUNTSVILLE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
93
00:04:22,996 --> 00:04:26,165
HAS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT
THE GATHERING STORM.
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00:04:26,165 --> 00:04:27,967
Controller:
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242,
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00:04:27,967 --> 00:04:30,970
I'M PAINTING A LINE OF WEATHER
WHICH APPEARS TO BE MODERATE
96
00:04:30,970 --> 00:04:36,743
TO POSSIBLY HEAVY PRECIPITATION
STARTING ABOUT FIVE MILES AHEAD.
97
00:04:36,743 --> 00:04:39,245
McKenzie: OKAY, UH,
WE'RE IN THE RAIN RIGHT NOW.
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00:04:39,245 --> 00:04:41,481
IT DOESN'T LOOK MUCH HEAVIER
THAN WHAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW,
99
00:04:41,481 --> 00:04:42,949
DOES IT?
100
00:04:42,949 --> 00:04:45,985
Controller: IT'S NOT A SOLID
MASS, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE
101
00:04:45,985 --> 00:04:49,055
A LITTLE BIT HEAVIER THAN
WHAT YOU'RE IN RIGHT NOW.
102
00:04:49,055 --> 00:04:51,791
Narrator: IN 1977,
MOST AIRLINERS ARE EQUIPPED
103
00:04:51,791 --> 00:04:53,826
WITH THE BENDIX WEATHER RADAR.
104
00:04:53,826 --> 00:04:57,030
PILOTS ARE TRAINED TO AVOID
REGIONS THAT APPEAR BRIGHT.
105
00:04:57,030 --> 00:04:59,165
WHERE THERE IS LIGHT,
THERE'S BAD WEATHER.
106
00:04:59,165 --> 00:05:00,767
Keele: I CAN'T READ THAT.
107
00:05:00,767 --> 00:05:02,368
IT JUST LOOKS LIKE RAIN,
BILL, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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00:05:02,368 --> 00:05:03,736
THERE'S A HOLE.
109
00:05:03,736 --> 00:05:04,704
McKenzie:
THERE'S A HOLE RIGHT THERE.
110
00:05:04,704 --> 00:05:06,839
THAT'S ALL I SEE.
111
00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:09,275
Narrator: THE PILOTS SPOT
A DARK AREA ON THEIR RADAR--
112
00:05:09,275 --> 00:05:11,911
A PASSAGEWAY THROUGH THE STORM.
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00:05:11,911 --> 00:05:14,614
THEY PLAN TO NAVIGATE BETWEEN
TOWERING THUNDERHEADS
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00:05:14,614 --> 00:05:16,983
OVER 45,000 FEET.
115
00:05:19,152 --> 00:05:21,020
McKenzie: COMING OVER
WE HAD PRETTY GOOD RADAR.
116
00:05:21,020 --> 00:05:22,622
I BELIEVE RIGHT
STRAIGHT AHEAD...
117
00:05:22,622 --> 00:05:23,956
THERE.
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00:05:23,956 --> 00:05:26,826
THE NEXT FEW MILES IS PROBABLY
THE BEST WAY WE CAN GO.
119
00:05:26,826 --> 00:05:29,328
Narrator: BUT AS THEY HEAD
TOWARDS THE STORM SYSTEM,
120
00:05:29,328 --> 00:05:33,833
THEY GET AN OMINOUS REPORT FROM
MEMPHIS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL.
121
00:05:33,833 --> 00:05:36,836
Controller:
ATTENTION ALL AIRCRAFT, SIGMET.
122
00:05:36,836 --> 00:05:39,839
TENNESSEE, SOUTHERN LOUISIANA,
MISSISSIPPI...
123
00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:43,643
Narrator:
SIGMET IS SHORT FOR SIGNIFICANT
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION--
124
00:05:43,643 --> 00:05:45,044
A WARNING TO PILOTS
125
00:05:45,044 --> 00:05:47,213
THAT DANGEROUS WEATHER
IS IN THE REGION.
126
00:05:47,213 --> 00:05:48,481
McKenzie: HERE WE GO.
127
00:05:48,481 --> 00:05:50,049
HOLD 'EM, COWBOY.
128
00:05:50,049 --> 00:05:52,518
Feith: PILOTS DON'T WANT
TO BE WITHIN 50 MILES
129
00:05:52,518 --> 00:05:54,520
OF A LOT OF THOSE TYPES
OF THUNDERSTORMS,
130
00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,956
FOR THE VERY REASON
THAT THE AIRPLANE
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00:05:56,956 --> 00:05:58,558
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT,
132
00:05:58,558 --> 00:06:01,961
AND/OR THE PILOTS MAY NOT BE
ABLE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE
133
00:06:01,961 --> 00:06:05,565
FLYING INTO THAT
KIND OF ACTIVITY.
134
00:06:05,565 --> 00:06:07,366
Narrator: McKENZIE AND KEELE
TAKE A HARDER LOOK
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00:06:07,366 --> 00:06:08,935
AT THEIR WEATHER RADAR.
136
00:06:08,935 --> 00:06:12,105
McKenzie: LOOKS HEAVY,
NOTHING'S GOING THROUGH THAT.
137
00:06:12,105 --> 00:06:15,408
Narrator: MYSTERIOUSLY, THE GAP
THE PILOTS THOUGHT THEY SPOTTED
138
00:06:15,408 --> 00:06:17,110
NO LONGER SEEMS TO EXIST.
139
00:06:17,110 --> 00:06:18,544
Keele: THAT'S THE HOLE,
ISN'T IT?
140
00:06:18,544 --> 00:06:20,346
McKenzie:
IT'S NOT SHOWING A HOLE, IS IT?
141
00:06:33,059 --> 00:06:35,495
Narrator: THE STORM SUDDENLY
GETS MUCH WORSE.
142
00:06:35,495 --> 00:06:37,063
[HAIL HITTING AIRPLANE]
143
00:06:37,063 --> 00:06:39,165
Lemoine-Cooper: NEVER HEARD
SUCH LOUD HAIL IN MY LIFE.
144
00:06:39,165 --> 00:06:42,068
AND IT BEATING ON THE, YOU KNOW,
THE SIDES OF THE AIRPLANE
145
00:06:42,068 --> 00:06:45,037
WAS EXTREMELY DEAFENING.
146
00:06:45,037 --> 00:06:47,173
Foster: THE HAIL WAS PROBABLY
THE LOUDEST NOISE
147
00:06:47,173 --> 00:06:48,508
I'VE EVER HEARD.
148
00:06:48,508 --> 00:06:50,276
IT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS
IN A METAL BARREL
149
00:06:50,276 --> 00:06:53,546
WITH SOMEONE
THROWING ROCKS AT ME.
150
00:06:53,546 --> 00:06:55,715
Attendant: PLEASE KEEP
YOUR SEATBELTS FASTENED!
151
00:06:55,715 --> 00:06:57,917
WE SHOULD BE
OUT OF THIS SHORTLY.
152
00:07:01,053 --> 00:07:04,590
Narrator: HAIL THE SIZE OF
BASEBALLS HAMMERS THE DC-9,
153
00:07:04,590 --> 00:07:06,459
BREAKING THE PLANE'S WINDSHIELD.
154
00:07:09,796 --> 00:07:11,230
Jerome Chandler:
THE PILOTS OF SOUTHERN 242
155
00:07:11,230 --> 00:07:14,700
HAD TO RAISE THEIR VOICES
AUDIBLY TO BE HEARD
156
00:07:14,700 --> 00:07:17,503
ABOVE THE UNHOLY TATTOO
OF THIS HAIL,
157
00:07:17,503 --> 00:07:20,139
WHICH WAS BUCKSHOTTING
THE AIRPLANE.
158
00:07:20,139 --> 00:07:21,908
THESE PILOTS HAD NEVER BEEN
THROUGH ANYTHING LIKE THIS
159
00:07:21,908 --> 00:07:24,911
BEFORE IN THEIR LIVES.
160
00:07:24,911 --> 00:07:27,079
Keele: WHICH WAY,
DO WE CROSS HERE, OR GO OUT?
161
00:07:27,079 --> 00:07:28,781
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE
GET THROUGH HERE, BILL.
162
00:07:28,781 --> 00:07:30,683
McKenzie: I KNOW. YOU'RE JUST
GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT.
163
00:07:30,683 --> 00:07:32,385
Keele:
YEAH, RIGHT ACROSS THAT BAND.
164
00:07:32,385 --> 00:07:34,220
McKenzie: ALL CLEAR LEFT,
APPROXIMATELY RIGHT NOW.
165
00:07:34,220 --> 00:07:37,223
I THINK WE CAN CUT ACROSS THERE.
166
00:07:37,223 --> 00:07:38,791
Narrator: McKENZIE AND KEELE
DESPERATELY SEEK
167
00:07:38,791 --> 00:07:41,127
AN ESCAPE ROUTE FROM THE STORM.
168
00:07:41,127 --> 00:07:44,330
BUT AS THEY DO,
THE EMERGENCY ESCALATES.
169
00:07:47,733 --> 00:07:50,870
THE PLANE LOSES
ALL ELECTRICAL POWER.
170
00:07:55,041 --> 00:07:59,245
[ALARM SOUNDS]
171
00:07:59,245 --> 00:08:02,281
WITHOUT POWER, KEELE MUST
KEEP THE AIRCRAFT LEVEL
172
00:08:02,281 --> 00:08:04,951
WITHOUT AN ARTIFICIAL HORIZON.
173
00:08:04,951 --> 00:08:07,353
Feith: NOW THE PILOTS ARE LEFT
TO LOOK BACK OUT THE WINDOW
174
00:08:07,353 --> 00:08:10,489
AND TRY AND ORIENT THE AIRPLANE
WITH THE HORIZON.
175
00:08:10,489 --> 00:08:12,425
Narrator: BUT SURROUNDED
BY THICK CLOUDS,
176
00:08:12,425 --> 00:08:14,794
A HORIZON IS DIFFICULT TO FIND.
177
00:08:14,794 --> 00:08:18,497
IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR
LYMAN KEELE TO GET HIS BEARINGS.
178
00:08:22,034 --> 00:08:24,537
Controller: SOUTHERN 242,
WHAT'S YOUR SPEED?
179
00:08:24,537 --> 00:08:26,072
Narrator:
ATLANTA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
180
00:08:26,072 --> 00:08:29,542
TRIES TO MAKE CONTACT
WITH SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242.
181
00:08:29,542 --> 00:08:31,644
THEY RECEIVE NO RESPONSE.
182
00:08:31,644 --> 00:08:35,181
Controller: SOUTHERN 242,
ATLANTA, WHAT'S YOUR SPEED?
183
00:08:35,181 --> 00:08:37,250
Lemoine-Cooper:
AFTER I REALIZED THAT WE HAD
184
00:08:37,250 --> 00:08:40,419
A DISASTER IN PROGRESS,
OR SOMETHING WAS WRONG,
185
00:08:40,419 --> 00:08:42,922
I GOT UP AND STARTED
BRIEFING MY PASSENGERS.
186
00:08:42,922 --> 00:08:44,824
Attendant: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY,
KEEP YOUR SEATBELTS FASTENED.
187
00:08:44,824 --> 00:08:47,293
Frederick Clemens: THE FLIGHT
ATTENDANTS WERE VERY QUICK
188
00:08:47,293 --> 00:08:51,797
IN GIVING US EMERGENCY LANDING
INSTRUCTIONS.
189
00:08:51,797 --> 00:08:56,269
THERE WAS NOT VERY MUCH TIME
FOR ANYONE TO START PANICKING.
190
00:08:58,871 --> 00:09:00,840
[ALARM BEEPS]
191
00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:04,944
Keele: GOT IT, GOT IT BACK,
BILL, GOT IT BACK, GOT IT BACK.
192
00:09:04,944 --> 00:09:09,248
Narrator: AFTER 36 SECONDS
IN THE DARK, POWER RETURNS.
193
00:09:09,248 --> 00:09:13,653
THE INSTRUMENTS COME ALIVE, AND
THE RADIO BEGINS WORKING AGAIN.
194
00:09:13,653 --> 00:09:17,957
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FINALLY GETS
THROUGH TO McKENZIE AND KEELE.
195
00:09:17,957 --> 00:09:21,761
Controller: MAINTAIN 15,000
IF YOU UNDERSTAND ME.
196
00:09:21,761 --> 00:09:25,765
MAINTAIN 15,000, SOUTHERN 242.
197
00:09:25,765 --> 00:09:27,967
Narrator:
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS FLIGHT 242
198
00:09:27,967 --> 00:09:31,404
HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED TO FLY
AT 15,000 FEET.
199
00:09:31,404 --> 00:09:35,274
BUT THE PLANE HAS FALLEN
TO LESS THAN 14,000 FEET.
200
00:09:39,979 --> 00:09:41,881
McKenzie: WE'RE TRYING
TO GET IT UP THERE!
201
00:09:44,283 --> 00:09:47,753
Foster: WHILE I WAS LOOKING OUT
AT THE FRONT OF THE LEFT ENGINE,
202
00:09:47,753 --> 00:09:51,190
I COULD SEE THE HAIL CONTINUING
TO PUT MORE AND MORE DENTS
203
00:09:51,190 --> 00:09:52,959
INTO THE COWLING
AROUND THE ENGINE,
204
00:09:52,959 --> 00:09:55,628
AND INTO THE CONE
IN THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE.
205
00:09:55,628 --> 00:09:58,130
AND THE ENGINE WAS
STARTING TO MAKE SOUNDS
206
00:09:58,130 --> 00:09:59,832
LIKE IT WAS QUITTING.
207
00:10:01,634 --> 00:10:04,870
[ENGINE WHIR DECREASING]
208
00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:10,676
McKenzie: OKAY, 242, WE JUST
GOT OUR WINDSHIELD BUSTED,
209
00:10:10,676 --> 00:10:14,447
AND WE'LL TRY TO GET IT
BACK UP TO 15, WE'RE AT 14.
210
00:10:14,447 --> 00:10:17,817
Controller: SOUTHERN 242,
YOU SAY YOU'RE AT 14 NOW?
211
00:10:19,986 --> 00:10:22,989
Keele: LEFT ENGINE WON'T SPOOL!
212
00:10:22,989 --> 00:10:26,325
McKenzie:
OUR LEFT ENGINE JUST CUT OUT.
213
00:10:26,325 --> 00:10:30,096
Controller: YOU SAY YOU LOST AN
ENGINE AND BUSTED A WINDSHIELD?
214
00:10:30,096 --> 00:10:32,298
McKenzie: YES, SIR!
215
00:10:32,298 --> 00:10:33,466
Keele: MY GOD.
216
00:10:33,466 --> 00:10:35,601
THE OTHER ENGINE IS GOING, TOO.
217
00:10:35,601 --> 00:10:37,870
McKenzie:
GOT THE OTHER ENGINE GOING, TOO.
218
00:10:37,870 --> 00:10:40,673
Controller:
SOUTHERN 242, SAY AGAIN.
219
00:10:40,673 --> 00:10:42,408
McKenzie: STAND BY!
220
00:10:51,650 --> 00:10:54,653
WE LOST BOTH ENGINES!
221
00:10:54,653 --> 00:10:56,622
Chandler:
BOTH ENGINES ARE NOW OUT.
222
00:10:56,622 --> 00:11:02,895
THIS DC-9 IS A GLIDER, AND IT'S
FALLING AT 56 FEET PER SECOND.
223
00:11:02,895 --> 00:11:04,797
THEY'RE AT 14,000 FEET.
224
00:11:04,797 --> 00:11:09,235
THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.
225
00:11:09,235 --> 00:11:11,804
McKenzie: GET US A VECTOR
TO A CLEAR AREA, ATLANTA.
226
00:11:11,804 --> 00:11:13,372
Narrator:
LYMAN KEELE ADJUSTS HIS COURSE
227
00:11:13,372 --> 00:11:16,742
TO NAVIGATE HIS PLANE
OUT OF THE STORM.
228
00:11:16,742 --> 00:11:19,545
CAPTAIN McKENZIE MUST
RESTART THE ENGINES,
229
00:11:19,545 --> 00:11:22,848
OR THEY'LL BE FORCED TO MAKE
AN EMERGENCY LANDING.
230
00:11:30,656 --> 00:11:34,027
Narrator: WITHOUT ENGINES,
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS FLIGHT 242
231
00:11:34,027 --> 00:11:36,262
IS PLUMMETING FROM THE SKY.
232
00:11:36,262 --> 00:11:38,031
THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER
DIRE CONSEQUENCE
233
00:11:38,031 --> 00:11:40,266
OF THE ENGINE FAILURE--
234
00:11:40,266 --> 00:11:43,403
NORMALLY, THE ENGINES GENERATE
ELECTRICITY FOR THE INSTRUMENTS,
235
00:11:43,403 --> 00:11:45,371
RADIOS AND HYDRAULICS.
236
00:11:45,371 --> 00:11:49,442
WHEN THE ENGINES QUIT,
ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS FAIL.
237
00:11:49,442 --> 00:11:50,743
McKenzie: APU DEPLOYED.
238
00:11:52,845 --> 00:11:55,481
Narrator: THE APU,
THE AUXILIARY POWER UNIT,
239
00:11:55,481 --> 00:11:57,350
IS A BACK-UP POWER GENERATOR.
240
00:11:57,350 --> 00:12:00,086
IT WILL PROVIDE ELECTRICITY
TO THE PLANE.
241
00:12:00,086 --> 00:12:04,957
BUT IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN
TWO MINUTES FOR IT TO POWER UP.
242
00:12:04,957 --> 00:12:06,859
Clemens: ONCE THEY'D FINISHED
THEIR INSTRUCTIONS
243
00:12:06,859 --> 00:12:10,797
AND THERE WAS SIMPLY A WAITING
PERIOD BEFORE WE LANDED,
244
00:12:10,797 --> 00:12:14,267
WE TURNED TO EACH OTHER
AND SAID THAT WE WOULD ALL
245
00:12:14,267 --> 00:12:19,739
GET THROUGH THIS TOGETHER,
AND WE HELD HANDS FOR A MOMENT.
246
00:12:19,739 --> 00:12:22,108
Foster:
WHEN THE SECOND ENGINE QUIT,
247
00:12:22,108 --> 00:12:24,177
I WASN'T AWARE OF WHAT
WAS GOING ON AROUND ME,
248
00:12:24,177 --> 00:12:28,247
I WAS SO FOCUSED ON TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT A WAY TO SAVE MYSELF.
249
00:12:28,247 --> 00:12:31,584
I KNEW THAT SOMETIMES THE TAIL
BREAKS OFF IN AN ACCIDENT,
250
00:12:31,584 --> 00:12:35,054
AND I FELT THE FURTHER BACK
I COULD GET, THE BETTER.
251
00:12:37,123 --> 00:12:38,157
[ALARM BEEPS]
252
00:12:38,157 --> 00:12:39,692
McKenzie: THERE WE GO!
253
00:12:42,762 --> 00:12:44,564
Narrator: AFTER TWO MINUTES
WITHOUT SYSTEMS,
254
00:12:44,564 --> 00:12:47,533
THE AUXILIARY POWER UNIT
FINALLY KICKS IN.
255
00:12:47,533 --> 00:12:49,268
THE PILOTS MAY NOT HAVE ENGINES,
256
00:12:49,268 --> 00:12:52,338
BUT AT LEAST
THEY NOW HAVE POWER.
257
00:12:52,338 --> 00:12:53,673
McKenzie:
WE'VE LOST BOTH ENGINES,
258
00:12:53,673 --> 00:12:57,210
HOW ABOUT GETTING US A VECTOR
TO THE NEAREST PLACE?
259
00:12:57,210 --> 00:13:00,246
Narrator: CAPTAIN McKENZIE NEEDS
DIRECTIONS TO AN AIRPORT.
260
00:13:00,246 --> 00:13:01,848
THE FLIGHT CAN
ONLY STAY AIRBORNE
261
00:13:01,848 --> 00:13:04,550
FOR ANOTHER SIX MINUTES.
262
00:13:04,550 --> 00:13:07,753
DOBBINS AIR FORCE BASE
IS 20 MILES AWAY.
263
00:13:07,753 --> 00:13:10,857
IT HAS A RUNWAY
THAT'S LONG ENOUGH FOR A DC-9.
264
00:13:10,857 --> 00:13:13,259
IT ALSO HAS
FULL EMERGENCY SERVICES.
265
00:13:13,259 --> 00:13:17,463
Controller: SOUTHERN 242, ROGER,
TURN RIGHT HEADING 100,
266
00:13:17,463 --> 00:13:20,833
WILL BE VECTORS FOR A
STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH TO DOBBINS,
267
00:13:20,833 --> 00:13:23,202
RUNWAY 11.
268
00:13:23,202 --> 00:13:24,837
Keele: WHAT'S DOBBINS'
WEATHER, BILL?
269
00:13:24,837 --> 00:13:27,640
HOW FAR IS IT?
270
00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:30,343
HOW FAR IS IT?
271
00:13:30,343 --> 00:13:33,446
Narrator:
LYMAN KEELE KNOWS DOBBINS
AIR FORCE BASE INTIMATELY.
272
00:13:33,446 --> 00:13:35,014
HE'S TRAINED THERE,
273
00:13:35,014 --> 00:13:38,184
AND IT'S NOW HIS HOME BASE
AS A NAVY RESERVE PILOT.
274
00:13:38,184 --> 00:13:40,219
HE'S LANDED THERE FREQUENTLY.
275
00:13:40,219 --> 00:13:43,322
Keele:
DECLARE AN EMERGENCY, BILL.
276
00:13:43,322 --> 00:13:46,025
Narrator: RIGHT NOW,
KEELE'S FAMILIARITY WITH DOBBINS
277
00:13:46,025 --> 00:13:48,761
IS THE ONLY ADVANTAGE
THIS CREW HAS.
278
00:13:51,864 --> 00:13:53,432
LESS THAN 10 MILES AWAY
279
00:13:53,432 --> 00:13:55,902
LIES THE TOWN OF
NEW HOPE, GEORGIA.
280
00:13:55,902 --> 00:14:00,606
SADIE HURST SEES NO SIGNS
OF AN ADVANCING STORM.
281
00:14:00,606 --> 00:14:02,341
Hurst: IT WAS AN ABSOLUTELY
BEAUTIFUL DAY.
282
00:14:02,341 --> 00:14:03,843
THE CHILDREN WERE
PLAYING OUTSIDE,
283
00:14:03,843 --> 00:14:07,280
THEY WERE RIDING THEIR BICYCLES
UP AND DOWN THE DRIVEWAY.
284
00:14:09,749 --> 00:14:13,486
[TELEPHONE RINGS]
285
00:14:13,486 --> 00:14:14,921
HELLO?
286
00:14:14,921 --> 00:14:15,955
HEY, YOU...
287
00:14:15,955 --> 00:14:17,456
MY HUSBAND WORKED IN ATLANTA,
288
00:14:17,456 --> 00:14:20,126
AND HE KEPT HIS RADIO ON
THE HUNTSVILLE RADIO STATION.
289
00:14:20,126 --> 00:14:21,360
AND HE CALLED ME, AND HE SAID,
290
00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:23,596
"HONEY, WE'VE GOT SOME
BAD WEATHER COMING IN."
291
00:14:23,596 --> 00:14:26,265
HE SAID, "YOU NEED
TO GET THE KIDS IN."
292
00:14:26,265 --> 00:14:28,534
[KNOCKS]
293
00:14:28,534 --> 00:14:30,803
ORDINARILY TORNADOES
COME WITH BAD WEATHER,
294
00:14:30,803 --> 00:14:33,139
YOU KNOW, DARK CLOUDS
AND RAIN AND HAIL.
295
00:14:33,139 --> 00:14:35,408
BUT WE DIDN'T SEE ANY OF THAT.
296
00:14:35,408 --> 00:14:38,010
Narrator: SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242
FINALLY BREAKS THROUGH
297
00:14:38,010 --> 00:14:40,913
THE STORM CLOUDS
INTO CLEAR SKIES.
298
00:14:40,913 --> 00:14:43,983
THE PLANE DESCENDS STEADILY
THROUGH 6,900 FEET.
299
00:14:43,983 --> 00:14:45,751
Keele:
GET THOSE ENGINES STARTED!
300
00:14:49,722 --> 00:14:51,958
LISTEN, WE LOST BOTH ENGINES,
301
00:14:51,958 --> 00:14:56,596
AND I CAN'T TELL YOU
THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS.
302
00:14:56,596 --> 00:15:00,800
WE ONLY GOT TWO ENGINES,
AND HOW FAR IS DOBBINS NOW?
303
00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:05,104
Controller:
SOUTHERN 242, 19 MILES.
304
00:15:05,104 --> 00:15:08,307
DO YOU HAVE ONE ENGINE
RUNNING NOW?
305
00:15:08,307 --> 00:15:10,042
McKenzie: NEGATIVE.
306
00:15:10,042 --> 00:15:11,811
NO ENGINES.
307
00:15:11,811 --> 00:15:13,312
Lemoine-Cooper: I DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT WAS WRONG,
308
00:15:13,312 --> 00:15:15,348
BUT I COULD TELL
SOMETHING WAS WRONG.
309
00:15:15,348 --> 00:15:16,882
I WENT AND OPENED
THE COCKPIT DOOR
310
00:15:16,882 --> 00:15:19,785
SIMPLY TO TELL THEM
WE'RE READY FOR WHATEVER.
311
00:15:19,785 --> 00:15:21,287
McKenzie: JUST DON'T
STALL THIS THING OUT.
312
00:15:21,287 --> 00:15:22,588
Keele: NO, I WON'T.
313
00:15:22,588 --> 00:15:24,724
Lemoine-Cooper:
BILL, WHAT'S GOING ON?
314
00:15:24,724 --> 00:15:25,825
McKenzie: NOT NOW, CATHY.
315
00:15:25,825 --> 00:15:27,526
SIT DOWN!
316
00:15:27,526 --> 00:15:29,729
Lemoine-Cooper: YOU COULD TELL
THEY WERE AFRAID.
317
00:15:29,729 --> 00:15:31,264
I UNDERSTOOD
THAT THEY WERE AFRAID
318
00:15:31,264 --> 00:15:34,066
JUST BY THE SOUND
OF THEIR VOICE.
319
00:15:34,066 --> 00:15:36,168
SO I UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE WAS
SOMETHING VERY DANGEROUS
320
00:15:36,168 --> 00:15:40,473
GOING ON,
BUT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT.
321
00:15:40,473 --> 00:15:43,643
Narrator: DOWN TO ONLY
4,600 FEET, THE PLANE IS STILL
322
00:15:43,643 --> 00:15:46,946
NEARLY 17 MILES FROM
DOBBINS AIR FORCE BASE.
323
00:15:46,946 --> 00:15:48,347
Keele:
ASK HIM IF THERE'S ANYTHING
BETWEEN HERE AND DOBBINS.
324
00:15:48,347 --> 00:15:50,249
McKenzie: WHAT?
325
00:15:50,249 --> 00:15:54,587
Keele:
ASK HIM IF THERE'S ANYTHING
BETWEEN HERE AND DOBBINS!
326
00:15:54,587 --> 00:15:56,889
McKenzie:
IS THERE AN AIRPORT BETWEEN
OUR POSITION AND DOBBINS?
327
00:15:56,889 --> 00:16:01,827
Controller: SOUTHERN 242, NO,
SIR, CLOSEST AIRPORT IS DOBBINS.
328
00:16:01,827 --> 00:16:03,729
Narrator: FIRST OFFICER
LYMAN KEELE DOESN'T THINK
329
00:16:03,729 --> 00:16:07,500
HE CAN GET THE DC-9 AS FAR
AS DOBBINS AIR FORCE BASE.
330
00:16:07,500 --> 00:16:10,102
HE HAS LOST TOO MUCH ALTITUDE.
331
00:16:10,102 --> 00:16:11,737
McKenzie: I DOUBT
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT,
332
00:16:11,737 --> 00:16:13,973
BUT WE'RE TRYING EVERYTHING
TO GET SOMETHING STARTED.
333
00:16:16,575 --> 00:16:19,645
Controller: ROGER, WELL,
THERE IS CARTERSVILLE.
334
00:16:19,645 --> 00:16:23,249
YOU'RE ABOUT 10 MILES
SOUTH OF CARTERSVILLE,
335
00:16:23,249 --> 00:16:26,085
15 MILES WEST OF DOBBINS.
336
00:16:26,085 --> 00:16:28,054
Narrator:
KEELE NEEDS A CLOSER AIRPORT.
337
00:16:28,054 --> 00:16:30,556
CARTERSVILLE SEEMS
LIKE A GOOD CHOICE.
338
00:16:30,556 --> 00:16:32,224
Keele: WE'LL TAKE A VECTOR
TO THAT, YES.
339
00:16:32,224 --> 00:16:33,859
WE'LL HAVE TO GO THERE.
340
00:16:33,859 --> 00:16:35,961
McKenzie: CAN YOU GIVE US
A VECTOR TO CARTERSVILLE?
341
00:16:35,961 --> 00:16:39,532
Controller: ALL RIGHT,
TURN LEFT, HEADING 360,
342
00:16:39,532 --> 00:16:44,570
WILL BE DIRECTLY,
DIRECT VECTOR TO CARTERSVILLE.
343
00:16:44,570 --> 00:16:46,706
Narrator: AS THE PILOTS
SEEK OUT AN AIRPORT,
344
00:16:46,706 --> 00:16:48,541
THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
STILL DON'T KNOW
345
00:16:48,541 --> 00:16:52,111
WHAT TYPE OF LANDING
TO PREPARE FOR.
346
00:16:52,111 --> 00:16:53,546
Lemoine-Cooper:
SO WHAT DO WE DO?
347
00:16:53,546 --> 00:16:56,649
Attendant: I THINK WE'VE LOST
BOTH THE ENGINES.
348
00:16:56,649 --> 00:16:58,584
Lemoine-Cooper: I THOUGHT SO.
349
00:17:08,060 --> 00:17:10,196
Foster: I REALIZED I WAS
IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION,
350
00:17:10,196 --> 00:17:12,698
AND I FELT LIKE
I WAS GOING TO DIE.
351
00:17:12,698 --> 00:17:14,934
BUT I DECIDED I WOULD
DO EVERYTHING I COULD
352
00:17:14,934 --> 00:17:16,902
TO TRY TO HELP MY CHANCES.
353
00:17:16,902 --> 00:17:20,539
I HAD PREVIOUSLY COLLECTED
SOME BLANKETS AND PILLOWS,
354
00:17:20,539 --> 00:17:26,045
AND HAD GOTTEN MY LEATHER JACKET
OFF THE OVERHEAD RACK,
355
00:17:26,045 --> 00:17:29,515
AND I ARRANGED THOSE IN THE,
356
00:17:29,515 --> 00:17:34,120
MAKE A NEST AS MUCH
AS I COULD FOR MYSELF.
357
00:17:34,120 --> 00:17:36,188
Narrator: ON THE GROUND,
THE COMMUNITY OF NEW HOPE
358
00:17:36,188 --> 00:17:38,491
BRACES FOR SEVERE WEATHER.
359
00:17:41,694 --> 00:17:43,062
Steven Burkhalter:
WE CAME INTO THE HOUSE,
360
00:17:43,062 --> 00:17:45,731
AND MOTHER HAD TOLD US
ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON,
361
00:17:45,731 --> 00:17:48,401
AND SHE SAID THAT WE NEEDED
TO GET DOWNSTAIRS
362
00:17:48,401 --> 00:17:51,704
TO PREPARE FOR THE BAD WEATHER
THAT WAS COMING.
363
00:17:51,704 --> 00:17:53,706
Narrator:
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS FLIGHT 242
364
00:17:53,706 --> 00:17:55,474
HAS LOST TOO MUCH ALTITUDE.
365
00:17:55,474 --> 00:17:57,576
THE PILOTS COME TO
THE FRIGHTENING CONCLUSION
366
00:17:57,576 --> 00:17:58,978
THAT AT THE RATE
THEY'RE FALLING,
367
00:17:58,978 --> 00:18:01,080
THEY CAN'T MAKE IT
TO CARTERSVILLE.
368
00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,115
THEY MUST PREPARE TO LAND NOW.
369
00:18:03,115 --> 00:18:04,517
McKenzie:
I'M PICKING OUT A CLEAR FIELD.
370
00:18:04,517 --> 00:18:05,918
Keele: BILL, YOU HAVE
TO FIND ME A HIGHWAY.
371
00:18:05,918 --> 00:18:07,453
McKenzie: LET'S GET
THE NEXT CLEAR, OPEN FIELD.
372
00:18:07,453 --> 00:18:08,954
Keele: NO, BILL!
373
00:18:08,954 --> 00:18:11,791
McKenzie: SEE A HIGHWAY
OVER THERE--NO CARS.
374
00:18:11,791 --> 00:18:13,993
Keele: RIGHT THERE,
IS THAT STRAIGHT?
375
00:18:13,993 --> 00:18:16,028
McKenzie: NO.
376
00:18:16,028 --> 00:18:17,730
Keele: WE'LL HAVE TO TAKE IT.
377
00:18:25,771 --> 00:18:27,606
Narrator: LYMAN KEELE
DECIDES TO BRING THE PLANE
378
00:18:27,606 --> 00:18:32,378
DOWN ONTO A RURAL HIGHWAY--
GEORGIA STATE HIGHWAY 92.
379
00:18:32,378 --> 00:18:35,448
CAPTAIN BILL McKENZIE RADIOS
ATLANTA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
380
00:18:35,448 --> 00:18:37,316
WITH THE BAD NEWS.
381
00:18:37,316 --> 00:18:39,018
McKenzie: WE'RE PUTTING IT
ON THE HIGHWAY.
382
00:18:39,018 --> 00:18:41,554
WE'RE DOWN TO NOTHING.
383
00:18:41,554 --> 00:18:45,624
Narrator: THE CLOCK RUNS OUT
ON SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242.
384
00:18:45,624 --> 00:18:47,393
Controller: SWEET JESUS.
385
00:18:49,495 --> 00:18:51,997
Narrator: WITH NO ENGINES,
FIRST OFFICER LYMAN KEELE
386
00:18:51,997 --> 00:18:55,034
LINES UP THE AIRCRAFT
FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING
387
00:18:55,034 --> 00:18:58,204
ON THE HIGHWAY THAT RUNS THROUGH
NEW HOPE, GEORGIA.
388
00:18:58,204 --> 00:19:01,974
Clemens: IN THE LAST MINUTE,
WE DID A STEEP LEFT BANK,
389
00:19:01,974 --> 00:19:05,077
IN WHICH WE WERE ABLE
TO SEE THE PINE TREES
390
00:19:05,077 --> 00:19:07,947
THAT WERE VERY CLOSE
TO THE AIRCRAFT.
391
00:19:11,050 --> 00:19:12,651
Keele: FLAPS.
392
00:19:14,753 --> 00:19:16,422
McKenzie: THEY'RE DOWN TO 50.
393
00:19:16,422 --> 00:19:18,891
Keele: OH, GOD, BILL,
I HOPE WE CAN DO IT.
394
00:19:18,891 --> 00:19:22,428
Narrator:
WITHOUT TRAINING ON HOW TO LAND
A DC-9 WITH NO ENGINES,
395
00:19:22,428 --> 00:19:26,298
FIRST OFFICER LYMAN KEELE'S
ATTEMPT IS ENTIRELY IMPROVISED.
396
00:19:26,298 --> 00:19:27,867
Chandler:
LYMAN KEELE IS A YOUNG MAN
397
00:19:27,867 --> 00:19:31,070
WHO HAS JUST COME BACK FROM THE
PROVING GROUND OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
398
00:19:31,070 --> 00:19:33,205
WHERE HE WAS A NAVAL AVIATOR.
399
00:19:33,205 --> 00:19:35,274
WHAT HE WAS CONFRONTED WITH
RIGHT NOW
400
00:19:35,274 --> 00:19:37,610
WAS EVEN A GREATER TEST,
THE GREATEST TEST
401
00:19:37,610 --> 00:19:43,382
HE HAD EVER CONFRONTED
IN HIS LIFE AS AN AIRMAN.
402
00:19:43,382 --> 00:19:45,417
Keele: I'M GOING TO LAND
RIGHT OVER THAT GUY.
403
00:19:45,417 --> 00:19:46,986
McKenzie: THERE'S A CAR AHEAD!
404
00:19:46,986 --> 00:19:50,990
Keele: I GOT IT,
I'VE GOT IT NOW, I GOT IT.
405
00:19:55,394 --> 00:19:57,663
Attendant: BRACE FOR IMPACT!
406
00:20:00,866 --> 00:20:02,701
Narrator: THE SOUTHERN AIRWAYS
FLIGHT TOUCHES DOWN
407
00:20:02,701 --> 00:20:05,738
ON STATE HIGHWAY 92.
408
00:20:05,738 --> 00:20:07,072
Lemoine-Cooper: WHEN THE
AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN,
409
00:20:07,072 --> 00:20:09,975
THE FIRST TOUCHDOWN
WAS VERY, VERY NICE.
410
00:20:09,975 --> 00:20:11,944
IT WAS SMOOTH, IT SEEMED LIKE
IT WAS GOING TO WORK
411
00:20:11,944 --> 00:20:13,779
AND EVERYTHING WAS
GOING TO TURN OUT OKAY,
412
00:20:13,779 --> 00:20:15,481
AND THEN IT IMMEDIATELY
BOUNCED BACK UP IN THE AIR
413
00:20:15,481 --> 00:20:16,782
AND SLAMMED DOWN.
414
00:20:16,782 --> 00:20:20,152
[SCREAMING]
415
00:20:20,152 --> 00:20:22,721
Narrator:
THE PLANE SMASHES INTO NEW HOPE.
416
00:20:24,823 --> 00:20:27,326
Foster: BEFORE THE PLANE
COMPLETELY STOPPED MOVING,
417
00:20:27,326 --> 00:20:31,430
THERE WAS FIRE BLOWING
THROUGH THE CABIN.
418
00:20:31,430 --> 00:20:32,798
I FELT MY FACE BURNING,
419
00:20:32,798 --> 00:20:37,202
EVEN THOUGH I TRIED TO COVER IT
WITH MY LEATHER JACKET.
420
00:20:37,202 --> 00:20:40,072
[EXPLOSION]
421
00:20:40,072 --> 00:20:43,609
Hurst: WE HEARD
THIS TREMENDOUS NOISE.
422
00:20:43,609 --> 00:20:46,145
Narrator: LARGE SECTIONS
OF SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242
423
00:20:46,145 --> 00:20:49,348
LITTER THE ENTIRE LENGTH
OF NEW HOPE.
424
00:20:58,958 --> 00:21:00,392
Foster: COME ON, DAMN IT.
425
00:21:03,862 --> 00:21:08,567
I GOT MY SEATBELT LOOSE
AFTER A FEW TRIES,
426
00:21:08,567 --> 00:21:10,302
AND TURNED TOWARD
THE REAR OF THE AIRPLANE,
427
00:21:10,302 --> 00:21:13,906
AND I SAW A SPOT OF LIGHT.
428
00:21:13,906 --> 00:21:16,408
I GOT UP AND RAN FOR THAT LIGHT.
429
00:21:33,225 --> 00:21:35,928
I COULD NOT BELIEVE I WAS ALIVE.
430
00:21:35,928 --> 00:21:38,530
I JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.
431
00:21:41,834 --> 00:21:44,203
Lemoine-Cooper: WHERE I FOUND
MYSELF AFTER WE WOKE UP...
432
00:21:44,203 --> 00:21:46,438
SORT OF INDESCRIBABLE.
433
00:21:50,109 --> 00:21:51,844
AND I COULD SEE
A CRACK OF LIGHT,
434
00:21:51,844 --> 00:21:53,512
AND I THOUGHT, "I'M GOING
THROUGH THAT CRACK OF LIGHT,
435
00:21:53,512 --> 00:21:56,281
COME HELL OR HIGH WATER."
436
00:21:59,418 --> 00:22:01,387
Clemens:
IN THE VERY NEXT INSTANT,
437
00:22:01,387 --> 00:22:03,656
AS IF I HAD JUST
BLINKED MY EYES,
438
00:22:03,656 --> 00:22:07,126
INSTEAD OF SEEING THE CARPET
BETWEEN MY FEET,
439
00:22:07,126 --> 00:22:10,896
I SUDDENLY WAS LOOKING
AT BLUE SKY ABOVE ME.
440
00:22:10,896 --> 00:22:14,566
I REALIZED I WAS LYING FLAT
ON MY BACK IN THE DIRT.
441
00:22:14,566 --> 00:22:19,405
EVERYTHING TO THE LEFT OF ME
WAS FLAMING WRECKAGE.
442
00:22:19,405 --> 00:22:22,775
Narrator: FLIGHT ATTENDANT
SANDY PURL ALSO ESCAPES SAFELY.
443
00:22:22,775 --> 00:22:25,110
SHE'S ABLE TO HELP OTHERS.
444
00:22:31,750 --> 00:22:34,486
SURVIVORS FLEE
THE FLAMING WRECKAGE.
445
00:22:48,867 --> 00:22:50,369
Hurst: WHEN I GOT TO THE TOP
OF THE BASEMENT STEPS
446
00:22:50,369 --> 00:22:54,306
TO CLOSE THE DOOR,
I SAW A RED REFLECTION,
447
00:22:54,306 --> 00:22:56,642
LIKE FIRE IN THE DOOR.
448
00:23:07,252 --> 00:23:10,689
I SAW SMOKE AND FIRE.
449
00:23:15,360 --> 00:23:17,563
AND THE PEOPLE THAT
WERE COMING TOWARD ME,
450
00:23:17,563 --> 00:23:18,997
THEY WEREN'T SCREAMING,
THEY WEREN'T YELLING,
451
00:23:18,997 --> 00:23:20,733
THEY WERE QUIET.
452
00:23:20,733 --> 00:23:21,934
Lemoine-Cooper:
EVERYTHING WAS ON FIRE,
453
00:23:21,934 --> 00:23:25,137
AND I COULD SEE PEOPLE
RUNNING TOWARD A HOUSE.
454
00:23:37,416 --> 00:23:41,320
Hurst: IT JUST BECAME A BLUR.
THEY JUST KEPT COMING.
455
00:23:52,231 --> 00:23:56,034
I GOT BACK TO THE KITCHEN, AND
I WAS JUST CIRCLED BY PEOPLE.
456
00:23:56,034 --> 00:23:59,338
THEY KNEW THEY WERE IN A HOUSE,
AND I GUESS THEY FELT SAFE,
457
00:23:59,338 --> 00:24:01,774
AND THEY NEEDED
SOMEBODY TO HELP THEM.
458
00:24:09,782 --> 00:24:13,652
Lemoine-Cooper: I'LL REMEMBER TO
THE DAY I DIE JUST STARING THERE
459
00:24:13,652 --> 00:24:18,690
AT THE TREES BURNING--PINE TREES
BURNING AND PIECES OF AIRCRAFT,
460
00:24:18,690 --> 00:24:21,393
IT WAS SO UNREAL.
461
00:24:21,393 --> 00:24:22,728
NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT,
462
00:24:22,728 --> 00:24:25,631
AND NEVER WANT TO SEE
ANYTHING LIKE THAT AGAIN.
463
00:24:29,768 --> 00:24:34,139
Narrator:
72 PEOPLE, INCLUDING PILOTS
LYMAN KEELE AND BILL McKENZIE,
464
00:24:34,139 --> 00:24:38,410
DIE IN THE CRASH OF
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS FLIGHT 242.
465
00:24:38,410 --> 00:24:41,980
INVESTIGATORS WOULD SOON UNCOVER
A TRAGIC SERIES OF MISCUES
466
00:24:41,980 --> 00:24:46,118
AND COINCIDENCES THAT
CAUSED THE PLANE TO CRASH.
467
00:24:48,721 --> 00:24:52,124
Newscaster: SOUTHERN FLIGHT 242
CRASHED AFTER THE DC-9 JET
468
00:24:52,124 --> 00:24:54,527
LOST POWER IN BOTH ENGINES.
469
00:24:54,527 --> 00:24:56,929
THE PLANE HAD JUST FLOWN
THROUGH A VIOLENT HAIL STORM
470
00:24:56,929 --> 00:24:59,966
ON A FLIGHT FROM
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, TO ATLANTA.
471
00:24:59,966 --> 00:25:01,968
Firefighter: I SAW THE PLANE
AS IT CAME VEERING DOWN,
472
00:25:01,968 --> 00:25:03,402
HIT THE TREE TOPS.
473
00:25:03,402 --> 00:25:05,104
WE THOUGHT IT WAS
A TORNADO AT FIRST.
474
00:25:05,104 --> 00:25:07,039
VEHICLES, PEOPLE WHO
WAS IN THE STORE,
475
00:25:07,039 --> 00:25:08,507
ACROSS THE STORE YARD
AND VEHICLES--
476
00:25:08,507 --> 00:25:10,977
IT ACTUALLY HIT THEM.
477
00:25:10,977 --> 00:25:13,312
Narrator: A FAMILY OF SEVEN
IS KILLED INSTANTLY
478
00:25:13,312 --> 00:25:15,281
WHEN THE PLANE HITS THEIR CAR.
479
00:25:15,281 --> 00:25:17,083
Allen Griffin:
THEY WERE JUST LEAVING THE STORE
480
00:25:17,083 --> 00:25:20,586
ABOUT THE TIME THAT THE FLIGHT
TRIED TO LAND ON THE HIGHWAY,
481
00:25:20,586 --> 00:25:25,258
AND THEN, 'COURSE,
I THINK THEY HIT THE GAS PUMPS,
482
00:25:25,258 --> 00:25:29,262
AND THEY EXPLODED, AND
EVERYTHING AROUND WAS ON FIRE.
483
00:25:29,262 --> 00:25:30,696
ACTUALLY, THEY WERE IN THE CAR
484
00:25:30,696 --> 00:25:35,134
AND PERISHED DURING, DURING
THE EXPLOSION AND FIRE.
485
00:25:37,103 --> 00:25:40,106
Narrator:
INVESTIGATORS FROM THE NATIONAL
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
486
00:25:40,106 --> 00:25:42,575
ARRIVE WITHIN HOURS
OF THE ACCIDENT.
487
00:25:47,213 --> 00:25:51,784
THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR BLOW TO
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS' SAFETY RECORD.
488
00:25:51,784 --> 00:25:54,353
IN 1970, FLIGHT 932,
489
00:25:54,353 --> 00:25:56,722
CARRYING THE MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
FOOTBALL TEAM,
490
00:25:56,722 --> 00:25:59,692
CRASHED IN WEST VIRGINIA.
491
00:25:59,692 --> 00:26:03,162
EVERYONE ON BOARD WAS KILLED.
492
00:26:03,162 --> 00:26:04,697
Feith: THERE ARE ALWAYS
MANY QUESTIONS
493
00:26:04,697 --> 00:26:06,966
THAT INVESTIGATORS
HAVE TO FIND ANSWERS TO.
494
00:26:06,966 --> 00:26:09,568
THE TWO PRIMARY QUESTIONS
THAT NEEDED TO BE ANSWERED
495
00:26:09,568 --> 00:26:12,538
BY THE BOARD WERE WHAT WERE
THE WEATHER CONDITIONS
496
00:26:12,538 --> 00:26:15,374
AND WHAT CAUSED BOTH ENGINES
ON A TWO-ENGINE AIRPLANE
497
00:26:15,374 --> 00:26:18,110
TO FLAME OUT THAT RESULTED
IN THE PILOTS HAVING TO MAKE
498
00:26:18,110 --> 00:26:22,048
AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON
A HIGHWAY IN A SMALL TOWN?
499
00:26:27,787 --> 00:26:31,924
Narrator: THE STORM THAT FLIGHT
242 FLEW INTO WAS A MONSTER.
500
00:26:31,924 --> 00:26:34,927
WHY HAD A CREW SO FAMILIAR
WITH WEATHER IN THE SOUTH
501
00:26:34,927 --> 00:26:37,563
FLOWN HEADFIRST INTO IT?
502
00:26:37,563 --> 00:26:38,965
Keele: THAT'S A HOLE, ISN'T IT?
503
00:26:38,965 --> 00:26:41,000
McKenzie:
IT'S NOT SHOWING A HOLE, IS IT?
504
00:26:43,936 --> 00:26:46,472
Narrator: INVESTIGATORS LISTEN
TO THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER
505
00:26:46,472 --> 00:26:49,575
FOR ANY CLUES ABOUT
THE DECISIONS MADE BY THE CREW
506
00:26:49,575 --> 00:26:51,677
AS TO WHY THEY ENTERED
THE THUNDERSTORM.
507
00:26:51,677 --> 00:26:53,079
Keele: THAT'S A HOLE, ISN'T IT?
508
00:26:53,079 --> 00:26:55,181
McKenzie:
IT'S NOT SHOWING A HOLE, IS IT?
509
00:26:55,181 --> 00:26:57,083
Narrator: THEY LEARN THAT
THE PILOTS RELIED HEAVILY
510
00:26:57,083 --> 00:27:00,619
ON THEIR WEATHER RADAR
AS THEY APPROACHED THE STORM.
511
00:27:00,619 --> 00:27:03,522
BUT IT APPEARS TO HAVE
DECEIVED THEM.
512
00:27:03,522 --> 00:27:05,291
McKenzie: ALL CLEAR LEFT,
APPROXIMATELY RIGHT NOW.
513
00:27:05,291 --> 00:27:07,159
I THINK WE CAN CUT ACROSS THERE.
514
00:27:07,159 --> 00:27:08,894
Feith: ONE OF THE LIMITATIONS
OF THE RADAR
515
00:27:08,894 --> 00:27:13,632
THAT THE CREW OF FLIGHT 242 WAS
USING IS SIGNAL ATTENUATION.
516
00:27:13,632 --> 00:27:17,036
THAT IS THAT THE BEAM THAT IS
PROJECTED FROM THE RADAR UNIT
517
00:27:17,036 --> 00:27:21,607
OUT TO LOOK AT THE WEATHER
AND RETURN IS DIFFUSED,
518
00:27:21,607 --> 00:27:24,910
SO THAT THE PICTURE THAT
IS DEPICTED IN THE COCKPIT
519
00:27:24,910 --> 00:27:29,782
THAT THE CREW IS LOOKING AT
MAY NOT BE ACCURATE.
520
00:27:29,782 --> 00:27:32,351
Narrator: WEATHER RADAR
SENDS OUT RADIO WAVES.
521
00:27:32,351 --> 00:27:34,854
THOSE WAVES BOUNCE OFF
STORM CLOUDS AHEAD
522
00:27:34,854 --> 00:27:37,189
AND RETURN TO THE AIRCRAFT.
523
00:27:37,189 --> 00:27:40,092
BUT IF PRECIPITATION
IS EXTREMELY INTENSE,
524
00:27:40,092 --> 00:27:43,162
THE RADIO WAVES
CAN BE DEFLECTED AWAY.
525
00:27:43,162 --> 00:27:44,830
THE RADAR UNIT
MIGHT THEN INTERPRET
526
00:27:44,830 --> 00:27:48,868
THE LACK OF RETURNING WAVES
AS A CLEAR PATH AHEAD.
527
00:27:48,868 --> 00:27:51,637
Feith: THOSE INACCURACIES
ARE HARD TO DECIPHER,
528
00:27:51,637 --> 00:27:55,408
AND IF THE CREW IS DEPENDING
SOLELY OR VERY INTENTLY
529
00:27:55,408 --> 00:27:58,611
ON THE RADAR TO GUIDE THEM
THROUGH THE PRECIPITATION,
530
00:27:58,611 --> 00:28:00,713
THEY MAY BE MAKING DECISIONS
531
00:28:00,713 --> 00:28:04,750
THAT AREN'T BASED ON
ACCURATE INFORMATION.
532
00:28:04,750 --> 00:28:07,753
Narrator: THE STORM THAT
ENTANGLES SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242
533
00:28:07,753 --> 00:28:11,557
IS ONE OF THE WORST TO HIT THE
UNITED STATES IN THREE YEARS.
534
00:28:11,557 --> 00:28:13,793
THE CREW DIDN'T ENCOUNTER
A TORNADO,
535
00:28:13,793 --> 00:28:17,029
BUT IT WAS BATTERED BY
TORRENTIAL RAIN AND HEAVY HAIL.
536
00:28:17,029 --> 00:28:18,898
Keele: WHICH WAY,
DO WE CROSS HERE, OR GO OUT?
537
00:28:18,898 --> 00:28:21,067
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE
GET THROUGH HERE, BILL.
538
00:28:21,067 --> 00:28:24,637
Narrator:
WHAT KEELE AND McKENZIE READ
AS A CLEAR AREA AHEAD,
539
00:28:24,637 --> 00:28:27,506
WAS IN FACT THE HEAVIEST PART
OF THE STORM.
540
00:28:27,506 --> 00:28:28,974
THEY FLEW STRAIGHT FOR IT.
541
00:28:28,974 --> 00:28:30,876
[HAIL HITTING PLANE]
542
00:28:30,876 --> 00:28:32,978
Keele:
THE OTHER ENGINE'S GOING, TOO.
543
00:28:32,978 --> 00:28:36,248
McKenzie:
GOT THE OTHER ENGINE GOING, TOO.
544
00:28:36,248 --> 00:28:39,085
Controller:
SOUTHERN 242, SAY AGAIN.
545
00:28:39,085 --> 00:28:41,187
McKenzie: STAND BY.
546
00:28:41,187 --> 00:28:44,423
WE LOST BOTH ENGINES!
547
00:28:44,423 --> 00:28:48,727
Narrator: ONCE INSIDE THE STORM,
THE DC-9's ENGINES FAILED.
548
00:28:48,727 --> 00:28:50,963
BUT A TURBOFAN ENGINE
IS DESIGNED TO INGEST
549
00:28:50,963 --> 00:28:53,799
HUGE AMOUNTS OF RAIN
AND EVEN HAIL.
550
00:28:53,799 --> 00:28:57,636
PRECIPITATION ALONE SHOULD NOT
HAVE SHUT THEM DOWN.
551
00:28:57,636 --> 00:29:02,208
INVESTIGATORS STUDY WHAT'S LEFT
OF THE DC-9's ENGINES FOR CLUES.
552
00:29:02,208 --> 00:29:04,877
THEY NEED TO KNOW IF
SOME MECHANICAL FAILURE
553
00:29:04,877 --> 00:29:08,047
CAUSED BOTH ENGINES TO FAIL
INSIDE THE STORM.
554
00:29:08,047 --> 00:29:10,816
Al Weaver: WELL, INITIALLY I WAS
PUZZLED AS TO HOW THE ENGINES
555
00:29:10,816 --> 00:29:14,120
COULD BE INVOLVED IN
THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT,
556
00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:17,256
BUT I WAS VERY ANXIOUS TO GET
THERE TO SEE THE ENGINES MYSELF,
557
00:29:17,256 --> 00:29:19,692
TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS
ANY SORT OF VISIBLE FAILURE
558
00:29:19,692 --> 00:29:21,961
IN THE ENGINES.
559
00:29:21,961 --> 00:29:24,730
Narrator: PRATT AND WHITNEY, THE
MANUFACTURER OF THE ENGINES,
560
00:29:24,730 --> 00:29:28,901
ASSIGNS AL WEAVER TO ADVISE
THE NTSB INVESTIGATION.
561
00:29:28,901 --> 00:29:32,872
THE ENGINES ARE MOVED TO ATLANTA
AIRPORT FOR A CLOSER INSPECTION.
562
00:29:32,872 --> 00:29:34,773
Weaver: AND WHEN THEY LIFTED
THE ENGINES UP
563
00:29:34,773 --> 00:29:38,310
IN THE VERTICAL DIRECTION
IN THE HANGAR,
564
00:29:38,310 --> 00:29:40,880
I COULD HEAR THE TINKLING,
AND PIECES FELL OUT
565
00:29:40,880 --> 00:29:43,649
THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE
ONTO THE FLOOR.
566
00:29:46,652 --> 00:29:48,521
I REACHED OVER AND
PICKED UP THOSE PIECES,
567
00:29:48,521 --> 00:29:50,189
AND I RECOGNIZED THEM
IMMEDIATELY
568
00:29:50,189 --> 00:29:52,758
AS PART OF THE HIGH
COMPRESSOR BLADING,
569
00:29:52,758 --> 00:29:54,894
DEEP WITH INSIDE THE ENGINE.
570
00:29:56,862 --> 00:29:58,397
Narrator: AL WEAVER DISCOVERS
571
00:29:58,397 --> 00:30:00,533
THAT THE PIECES THAT FELL
FROM THE ENGINE
572
00:30:00,533 --> 00:30:03,102
WERE BROKEN BLADES
FROM THE COMPRESSOR.
573
00:30:03,102 --> 00:30:06,739
JET ENGINES NEED PRESSURIZED AIR
FOR COMBUSTION.
574
00:30:06,739 --> 00:30:09,008
TWO SEPARATE COMPRESSORS
INSIDE THE ENGINE
575
00:30:09,008 --> 00:30:12,144
ARE MADE UP OF DOZENS
OF STEEL BLADES.
576
00:30:12,144 --> 00:30:13,479
THE RAPIDLY SPINNING BLADES
577
00:30:13,479 --> 00:30:16,048
FORCE AIR TO THE BACK
OF THE ENGINE.
578
00:30:16,048 --> 00:30:17,550
THE PRESSURIZED AIR IS IGNITED
579
00:30:17,550 --> 00:30:22,888
IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER,
CREATING THRUST.
580
00:30:22,888 --> 00:30:24,757
WEAVER NOTICES THAT
THE COMPRESSOR BLADES
581
00:30:24,757 --> 00:30:29,428
FROM FLIGHT 242 ARE
BADLY BENT OR FATIGUED.
582
00:30:29,428 --> 00:30:32,598
THE WAY THEY'RE BENT TELLS HIM
THEY WERE DAMAGED IN THE AIR,
583
00:30:32,598 --> 00:30:35,968
NOT WHEN THE PLANE
HIT THE GROUND.
584
00:30:35,968 --> 00:30:37,603
Weaver: AND WE KNOW THAT
THAT FATIGUING,
585
00:30:37,603 --> 00:30:40,639
AND THE TYPE OF FATIGUE THAT
WE CAN OBSERVE WITH OUR EYE,
586
00:30:40,639 --> 00:30:44,777
IS CAUSED BY THE REPETITIVE
SURGING OF THE ENGINE
587
00:30:44,777 --> 00:30:47,780
OVER AND OVER.
588
00:30:47,780 --> 00:30:50,282
Narrator: A SURGE OCCURS WHEN
THE AIRFLOW THROUGH AN ENGINE
589
00:30:50,282 --> 00:30:52,084
GETS INTERRUPTED.
590
00:30:52,084 --> 00:30:54,119
PRESSURE BUILDS UP
BETWEEN THE COMPRESSORS
591
00:30:54,119 --> 00:30:55,688
INSTEAD OF BEHIND THEM.
592
00:30:55,688 --> 00:30:58,490
WITHOUT THE BACK PRESSURE,
AIR FROM THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER
593
00:30:58,490 --> 00:31:00,626
MOVES TO THE FRONT
OF THE ENGINE.
594
00:31:00,626 --> 00:31:03,529
THE ENGINE BRIEFLY LOSES POWER.
595
00:31:03,529 --> 00:31:07,466
NEXT, INVESTIGATORS NEED TO FIND
OUT IF THE REPETITIVE SURGING
596
00:31:07,466 --> 00:31:08,734
WAS CAUSED BY THE ENGINES
597
00:31:08,734 --> 00:31:12,104
INHALING MASSIVE
AMOUNTS OF RAIN.
598
00:31:12,104 --> 00:31:16,041
WHEN AN ENGINE INGESTS RAIN,
IT HAS TO CONVERT IT INTO A GAS
599
00:31:16,041 --> 00:31:18,744
BEFORE IT CAN PUMP IT OUT
AS EXHAUST.
600
00:31:18,744 --> 00:31:22,715
THAT PROCESS USES ENERGY
AND SLOWS DOWN THE ENGINES.
601
00:31:22,715 --> 00:31:26,619
INVESTIGATORS CONCLUDE THAT
WITH SO MUCH RAIN TO CONVERT,
602
00:31:26,619 --> 00:31:28,754
THE ENGINES COULDN'T
MAINTAIN ENOUGH POWER
603
00:31:28,754 --> 00:31:30,823
TO RUN THE GENERATORS.
604
00:31:30,823 --> 00:31:33,759
THAT'S WHAT CAUSED
THE FIRST POWER OUTAGE.
605
00:31:33,759 --> 00:31:37,830
BUT IT DOESN'T EXPLAIN WHY
THE ENGINES FAILED COMPLETELY.
606
00:31:37,830 --> 00:31:40,799
AL WEAVER WANTS TO KNOW
IF THE SHEER VOLUME OF RAIN
607
00:31:40,799 --> 00:31:43,002
THE ENGINES WERE
FORCED TO INGEST
608
00:31:43,002 --> 00:31:45,504
COULD HAVE CAUSED THEIR FAILURE.
609
00:31:45,504 --> 00:31:49,241
THE SAME ENGINE MODEL THAT
POWERED SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242
610
00:31:49,241 --> 00:31:54,647
IS RUN WITH UP TO
14% WATER TO AIR.
611
00:31:54,647 --> 00:31:57,049
Weaver: ENGINES AT
THREE QUARTERS THROTTLE.
612
00:32:06,692 --> 00:32:07,693
LET'S BEGIN.
613
00:32:07,693 --> 00:32:10,796
[BEEPING]
614
00:32:16,035 --> 00:32:17,636
Narrator: INVESTIGATORS
ULTIMATELY THROW
615
00:32:17,636 --> 00:32:22,107
MONSOON LEVEL RAINS
AGAINST THE ENGINE.
616
00:32:22,107 --> 00:32:25,544
THEY RUN IT FROM IDLE
UP TO FULL THROTTLE.
617
00:32:25,544 --> 00:32:27,279
Weaver: OKAY, THAT'S IT,
SHUT IT DOWN.
618
00:32:27,279 --> 00:32:28,781
Narrator: THE RAIN WAS
NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE
619
00:32:28,781 --> 00:32:33,285
THE KIND OF SURGE THAT TORE THE
ENGINE ON FLIGHT 242 TO PIECES.
620
00:32:33,285 --> 00:32:34,987
Weaver: THANKS VERY MUCH,
GENTLEMEN.
621
00:32:37,723 --> 00:32:39,224
Narrator:
THE WATER INGESTION TEST
622
00:32:39,224 --> 00:32:42,494
POINTS INVESTIGATORS
TO ANOTHER SUSPECT...
623
00:32:46,665 --> 00:32:48,200
Keele: THAT'S A HOLE, ISN'T IT?
624
00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:50,269
McKenzie:
IT'S NOT SHOWING A HOLE, IS IT?
625
00:32:52,204 --> 00:32:53,972
Narrator: HAIL.
626
00:33:01,380 --> 00:33:03,015
PEOPLE WHO SURVIVE THE CRASH
627
00:33:03,015 --> 00:33:06,318
DESCRIBE SEEING HAIL
THE SIZE OF BASEBALLS.
628
00:33:06,318 --> 00:33:07,653
IT WAS POWERFUL ENOUGH
629
00:33:07,653 --> 00:33:10,689
TO BREAK THE PLANE'S
ONE-INCH-THICK WINDSHIELD.
630
00:33:15,027 --> 00:33:16,596
Narrator: AL WEAVER DISCOVERS
SIGNIFICANT HAIL DAMAGE
631
00:33:16,596 --> 00:33:19,632
ON BOTH OF THE PLANE'S
ENGINE COWLINGS.
632
00:33:19,632 --> 00:33:21,601
Weaver: STARTING AT
THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE,
633
00:33:21,601 --> 00:33:25,605
WE NOTED THAT THE INLET COWL
AND THE CENTER BODY
634
00:33:25,605 --> 00:33:28,908
THAT STREAMLINES THE AIRFLOW
GOING INTO THE ENGINE,
635
00:33:28,908 --> 00:33:31,510
WHICH ARE PARTS OF
THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE
636
00:33:31,510 --> 00:33:37,483
AND MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM, WERE
ALL DENTED FROM BOTH ENGINES.
637
00:33:37,483 --> 00:33:41,687
AND THAT LED US TO SUSPECT
THAT THE EXISTENCE OF THE HAIL
638
00:33:41,687 --> 00:33:45,791
MIGHT HAVE BEEN
A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR.
639
00:33:45,791 --> 00:33:47,994
Narrator: WEAVER KNOWS THAT
IT WOULD TAKE A POWERFUL FORCE
640
00:33:47,994 --> 00:33:51,430
TO DAMAGE THE HARD METAL
COMPRESSOR BLADES.
641
00:33:51,430 --> 00:33:53,532
Weaver: WE KNEW FROM
THE EXAMINATION MECHANICALLY
642
00:33:53,532 --> 00:33:55,935
OF THE ENGINES
THAT THE HAIL ITSELF
643
00:33:55,935 --> 00:33:59,105
DID NOT CAUSE ANY DAMAGE
TO THE ENGINE.
644
00:33:59,105 --> 00:34:03,909
IT ONLY DENTED THE OUTSIDE OF
THE COVERING OVER THE ENGINE.
645
00:34:03,909 --> 00:34:06,579
Narrator: HEAVY PRECIPITATION
AND A DAMAGED COWLING
646
00:34:06,579 --> 00:34:08,547
COULD HAVE INTERRUPTED
THE ENGINE'S AIRFLOW
647
00:34:08,547 --> 00:34:10,149
AND CAUSED A SURGE.
648
00:34:10,149 --> 00:34:13,486
BUT ONE SURGE SHOULDN'T
TEAR AN ENGINE APART.
649
00:34:16,055 --> 00:34:19,659
WEAVER SUSPECTS THAT MASSIVE
PIECES OF HAIL MAY HAVE CLOGGED
650
00:34:19,659 --> 00:34:24,897
A VITAL OUTLET IN THE PLANE'S
ENGINES--THE BLEED VALVES.
651
00:34:24,897 --> 00:34:27,600
WHEN PRESSURE BUILDS BETWEEN
THE TWO COMPRESSORS,
652
00:34:27,600 --> 00:34:29,402
BLEED VALVES SHOULD
OPEN AUTOMATICALLY
653
00:34:29,402 --> 00:34:32,605
TO RELEASE THAT PRESSURE
AND CLEAR THE SURGE.
654
00:34:32,605 --> 00:34:35,241
IF THE BLEED VALVES WERE
BLOCKED, THE ENGINES WOULD HAVE
655
00:34:35,241 --> 00:34:38,978
CONTINUED TO SURGE,
OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
656
00:34:38,978 --> 00:34:42,748
Weaver: ONCE THE ENGINE
BEGAN TO SURGE,
657
00:34:42,748 --> 00:34:45,017
THE ACTION THAT THE PILOT
SHOULD HAVE TAKEN
658
00:34:45,017 --> 00:34:49,588
WAS TO PULL THE THROTTLES BACK
TO CLEAR THE SURGE.
659
00:34:49,588 --> 00:34:52,224
Narrator: AL WEAVER TURNS
TO THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER
660
00:34:52,224 --> 00:34:55,494
AND DISCOVERS THAT CIRCUMSTANCES
MAY HAVE CAUSED THE CREW
661
00:34:55,494 --> 00:34:57,630
TO DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE.
662
00:35:00,166 --> 00:35:04,337
Controller: MAINTAIN 15,000,
SOUTHERN 242.
663
00:35:04,337 --> 00:35:06,639
McKenzie: WE'RE TRYING
TO GET IT UP THERE.
664
00:35:06,639 --> 00:35:09,241
Narrator: WEAVER LEARNS THAT
THE CREW WAS ASKED TO CLIMB
665
00:35:09,241 --> 00:35:12,411
WHILE IN THE HEART OF THE STORM.
666
00:35:12,411 --> 00:35:16,315
Controller: MAINTAIN 15,000,
IF YOU UNDERSTAND ME.
667
00:35:16,315 --> 00:35:20,886
MAINTAIN 15,000, SOUTHERN 242.
668
00:35:20,886 --> 00:35:23,823
Narrator: IN ORDER TO CLIMB, THE
CAPTAIN HAD TO INCREASE THRUST
669
00:35:23,823 --> 00:35:27,693
TO HIS ENGINES, WHICH WOULD HAVE
MADE MATTERS WORSE.
670
00:35:27,693 --> 00:35:31,764
Weaver: BUT IF THE SURGE WAS NOT
CLEARED AND ALLOWED TO CONTINUE,
671
00:35:31,764 --> 00:35:34,934
THEN THE ENGINE WOULD SIMPLY
BREAK ITSELF INTERNALLY.
672
00:35:34,934 --> 00:35:36,736
McKenzie: WE'RE TRYING
TO GET IT UP THERE.
673
00:35:36,736 --> 00:35:40,973
Weaver: ADVANCING THE THROTTLES
WOULD ONLY WORSEN THE SITUATION.
674
00:35:40,973 --> 00:35:43,609
Narrator: WITH ITS
BLEED CAVITIES BLOCKED BY HAIL,
675
00:35:43,609 --> 00:35:45,745
PRESSURE BUILT UP
INSIDE THE ENGINES,
676
00:35:45,745 --> 00:35:48,814
BENDING THE COMPRESSOR BLADES
UNTIL THEY SHATTERED.
677
00:35:48,814 --> 00:35:51,717
Keele: LEFT ENGINE WON'T SPOOL!
678
00:35:51,717 --> 00:35:55,421
McKenzie: OUR LEFT ENGINE
JUST CUT OUT.
679
00:35:55,421 --> 00:35:59,191
Weaver: AND ONCE THE BLADES
BROKE IN THE COMPRESSOR,
680
00:35:59,191 --> 00:36:04,230
THEN THE ENGINE HAS NO HOPE
OF EVER WORKING AGAIN.
681
00:36:04,230 --> 00:36:05,898
Narrator:
INVESTIGATORS NOW UNDERSTAND
682
00:36:05,898 --> 00:36:08,567
HOW THE PILOTS
MISREAD THE STORM,
683
00:36:08,567 --> 00:36:12,071
AND HOW THEIR ENGINES FAILED
AS A RESULT OF IT.
684
00:36:12,071 --> 00:36:14,840
BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHY
THE PILOTS WEREN'T WARNED
685
00:36:14,840 --> 00:36:18,444
THAT THERE WAS SUCH A SEVERE
STORM IN THEIR PATH.
686
00:36:22,615 --> 00:36:24,250
Keele: WHO'S GOT THE LANDING?
687
00:36:24,250 --> 00:36:26,318
McKenzie:
"NOT ME," SAYS THE CAPTAIN.
688
00:36:26,318 --> 00:36:27,653
Keele: IGNITION, SIR.
689
00:36:29,922 --> 00:36:32,324
Narrator: AS THE PILOTS PREPARED
TO DEPART HUNTSVILLE,
690
00:36:32,324 --> 00:36:35,027
THEY DID HAVE A WEATHER REPORT
FROM SOUTHERN AIRWAYS.
691
00:36:35,027 --> 00:36:38,197
BUT THE INFORMATION
WAS ALREADY HOURS OLD.
692
00:36:38,197 --> 00:36:39,732
Controller:
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242,
693
00:36:39,732 --> 00:36:42,802
I'M PAINTING A LINE OF WEATHER
WHICH APPEARS TO BE MODERATE
694
00:36:42,802 --> 00:36:48,174
TO POSSIBLY HEAVY PRECIPITATION
STARTING ABOUT FIVE MILES AHEAD.
695
00:36:48,174 --> 00:36:50,776
Feith:
COULD HUNTSVILLE HAVE PROVIDED
BETTER WEATHER INFORMATION?
696
00:36:50,776 --> 00:36:52,211
ABSOLUTELY.
697
00:36:52,211 --> 00:36:54,313
BUT IN THE COURSE
OF DOING THEIR JOB,
698
00:36:54,313 --> 00:36:56,515
THEY PROVIDED LOCALIZED
WEATHER INFORMATION
699
00:36:56,515 --> 00:36:58,984
ABOUT AN INTENSE THUNDERSTORM
OR RAIN SHOWER
700
00:36:58,984 --> 00:37:00,719
THAT WAS MOVING
OVER THE AIRPORT.
701
00:37:00,719 --> 00:37:02,021
THEY WERE ONLY RESPONSIBLE,
702
00:37:02,021 --> 00:37:04,557
REALLY, FOR ABOUT
40 NAUTICAL MILES.
703
00:37:04,557 --> 00:37:06,759
WHAT THE CREW OF FLIGHT 242
WAS LOOKING AT
704
00:37:06,759 --> 00:37:10,496
WAS WELL BEYOND 40 MILES.
705
00:37:10,496 --> 00:37:12,231
Narrator: WITH LITTLE
INFORMATION ON THE STORM
706
00:37:12,231 --> 00:37:14,667
AND HAVING MISREAD
THEIR WEATHER RADAR,
707
00:37:14,667 --> 00:37:17,670
BILL McKENZIE AND LYMAN KEELE
FLEW BLINDLY
708
00:37:17,670 --> 00:37:21,240
INTO MASSIVE THUNDERHEADS.
709
00:37:21,240 --> 00:37:24,143
THE HEAVY RAIN AND HAIL
CRIPPLED THEIR ENGINES.
710
00:37:30,082 --> 00:37:34,019
THE CREW DECIDED THAT THEIR ONLY
OPTION WAS AN EMERGENCY LANDING.
711
00:37:34,019 --> 00:37:35,421
McKenzie:
WE'VE LOST BOTH ENGINES.
712
00:37:35,421 --> 00:37:38,357
HOW ABOUT GETTING US A VECTOR
TO THE NEAREST PLACE?
713
00:37:38,357 --> 00:37:43,062
Controller: SOUTHERN 242, ROGER,
TURN RIGHT HEADING 100,
714
00:37:43,062 --> 00:37:44,597
WILL BE VECTORS FOR
A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH
715
00:37:44,597 --> 00:37:48,067
TO DOBBINS RUNWAY 11.
716
00:37:53,405 --> 00:37:55,474
Narrator: WHEN INVESTIGATORS
ANALYZE THE FLIGHT PATH
717
00:37:55,474 --> 00:37:57,843
OF SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242,
718
00:37:57,843 --> 00:38:00,880
THEY DISCOVER ONE MORE
DEADLY OVERSIGHT.
719
00:38:04,884 --> 00:38:06,452
Feith: FROM THE TIME
THE CREW REALIZED
720
00:38:06,452 --> 00:38:09,588
THAT THEY HAD NO ENGINE POWER
TILL THE TIME OF TOUCHDOWN
721
00:38:09,588 --> 00:38:10,956
WAS ABOUT NINE MINUTES.
722
00:38:10,956 --> 00:38:13,859
SO, IN LOOKING AT THE CRITICAL
DECISION-MAKING,
723
00:38:13,859 --> 00:38:17,596
THEY HAD ABOUT SEVEN MINUTES OF
SOLID, CRITICAL DECISION-MAKING
724
00:38:17,596 --> 00:38:19,164
BEFORE THEY WERE COMMITTED
725
00:38:19,164 --> 00:38:22,167
TO THAT EMERGENCY LANDING
ON THE HIGHWAY.
726
00:38:22,167 --> 00:38:25,404
Keele: GET US A VECTOR
TO A CLEAR AREA, ATLANTA.
727
00:38:25,404 --> 00:38:26,906
Narrator:
AFTER THE ENGINES FAILED,
728
00:38:26,906 --> 00:38:33,078
THE PILOTS MADE A 180-DEGREE
TURN TOWARD THE WEST
729
00:38:33,078 --> 00:38:37,783
THAT TAKES THEM DIRECTLY AWAY
FROM DOBBINS AIR FORCE BASE.
730
00:38:37,783 --> 00:38:40,452
THE TURN TAKES THE PILOTS
OUT OF THE HAILSTORM,
731
00:38:40,452 --> 00:38:43,088
BUT LEAVES THEM FURTHER AWAY
FROM A RUNWAY.
732
00:38:43,088 --> 00:38:47,927
THEY ALSO LOSE MINUTES
OF VALUABLE FLYING TIME.
733
00:38:47,927 --> 00:38:50,696
ONLY ONCE THE PILOTS
ESCAPE THE HAILSTORM
734
00:38:50,696 --> 00:38:53,766
DO THEY TURN AGAIN
TOWARD DOBBINS.
735
00:38:53,766 --> 00:38:56,302
McKenzie:
IS THERE AN AIRPORT BETWEEN
OUR POSITION AND DOBBINS?
736
00:38:56,302 --> 00:39:01,106
Controller: SOUTHERN 242, NO,
SIR, CLOSEST AIRPORT IS DOBBINS.
737
00:39:01,106 --> 00:39:03,842
Feith: HAD THEY MAINTAINED
THAT COURSE TO DOBBINS
738
00:39:03,842 --> 00:39:07,580
RATHER THAN MAKE THE TURNS OR
TRY TO FIND ANOTHER AIRPORT,
739
00:39:07,580 --> 00:39:09,815
THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD
A BETTER SUCCESS RATE,
740
00:39:09,815 --> 00:39:12,785
AND DEFINITELY A BETTER
SURVIVAL RATE.
741
00:39:12,785 --> 00:39:17,156
Controller: SOUTHERN 242, ROGER,
TURN RIGHT HEADING 100,
742
00:39:17,156 --> 00:39:18,824
WILL BE VECTORS FOR
A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH
743
00:39:18,824 --> 00:39:21,794
TO DOBBINS, RUNWAY 11.
744
00:39:21,794 --> 00:39:24,663
Narrator: BY THE TIME McKENZIE
RECEIVED THE INSTRUCTIONS,
745
00:39:24,663 --> 00:39:27,933
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242 HAD BEEN
FLYING AWAY FROM DOBBINS
746
00:39:27,933 --> 00:39:29,368
FOR TOO LONG.
747
00:39:29,368 --> 00:39:33,772
THE PLANE WAS SIMPLY TOO FAR AND
FLYING TOO LOW TO MAKE IT THERE.
748
00:39:33,772 --> 00:39:39,044
BUT THERE WAS ONE LAST MISSED
OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE FLIGHT 242.
749
00:39:43,082 --> 00:39:46,419
Narrator: INVESTIGATORS LEARN
THAT JUST AS McKENZIE AND KEELE
750
00:39:46,419 --> 00:39:49,222
WERE DIRECTED TOWARDS
DOBBINS AIR FORCE BASE,
751
00:39:49,222 --> 00:39:55,928
THEY WERE RIGHT ABOVE ANOTHER
RUNWAY--CORNELIUS MOORE AIRPORT.
752
00:39:55,928 --> 00:39:59,866
Foster: I THOUGHT WE WOULD LAND
AT CORNELIUS MOORE AIRPORT,
753
00:39:59,866 --> 00:40:01,834
BECAUSE I WAS FAMILIAR
WITH THAT AIRPORT.
754
00:40:01,834 --> 00:40:04,503
I HAD FLOWN MANY TIMES
IN OUR AIRPLANE
755
00:40:04,503 --> 00:40:08,107
BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN
DECATUR AND ATLANTA.
756
00:40:08,107 --> 00:40:10,309
Narrator: INVESTIGATORS LEARN
THAT CORNELIUS MOORE
757
00:40:10,309 --> 00:40:14,614
WAS JUST OUT OF RANGE OF RADAR
AT ATLANTA APPROACH CONTROL.
758
00:40:14,614 --> 00:40:17,083
THEY DID NOT KNOW IT EXISTED.
759
00:40:17,083 --> 00:40:20,119
THEY COULD NOT DIRECT
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242 THERE
760
00:40:20,119 --> 00:40:22,922
BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE IT
ON THEIR SCREENS.
761
00:40:22,922 --> 00:40:25,491
Foster: WHEN I LEARNED THAT
THE CONTROLLERS IN ATLANTA
762
00:40:25,491 --> 00:40:28,594
DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT
THE CORNELIUS MOORE AIRPORT
763
00:40:28,594 --> 00:40:30,196
IN CARTERSVILLE,
764
00:40:30,196 --> 00:40:33,232
I WAS UPSET, BECAUSE
WE WENT WITHIN, I THINK,
765
00:40:33,232 --> 00:40:35,501
THREE OR FOUR MILES
OF THAT AIRPORT.
766
00:40:35,501 --> 00:40:39,472
IT HAD A 4,000-FOOT RUNWAY,
AND EVEN THOUGH
767
00:40:39,472 --> 00:40:41,607
SOME OF THE CONTROLLERS
THOUGHT IT WAS TOO SHORT,
768
00:40:41,607 --> 00:40:46,178
IT SURE WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
THAN THAT HIGHWAY WE LANDED ON.
769
00:40:46,178 --> 00:40:47,813
Lemoine-Cooper:
I WAS VERY, VERY ANGRY,
770
00:40:47,813 --> 00:40:49,882
IT WAS SUCH A FUTILE REACTION.
771
00:40:49,882 --> 00:40:54,687
YOU KNOW, IT WAS SUCH A WASTE
OF LIFE THAT I WAS SAD.
772
00:40:56,656 --> 00:40:59,058
Narrator:
THE NTSB INVESTIGATION CONCLUDES
773
00:40:59,058 --> 00:41:01,994
THAT THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE
OF THE TURBOFAN ENGINES
774
00:41:01,994 --> 00:41:04,263
AND THE FAILURE TO CONVEY
SUFFICIENT INFORMATION
775
00:41:04,263 --> 00:41:06,232
ON THE STORM TO THE PILOTS
776
00:41:06,232 --> 00:41:10,403
ARE THE CAUSES OF THE CRASH
OF SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242.
777
00:41:10,403 --> 00:41:13,873
THE NTSB ACTS IMMEDIATELY--
IT ISSUES A RECOMMENDATION
778
00:41:13,873 --> 00:41:16,509
THAT WEATHER RADAR SYSTEMS
ABOARD PLANES
779
00:41:16,509 --> 00:41:18,611
AND IN AIR TRAFFIC
CONTROL CENTERS
780
00:41:18,611 --> 00:41:22,148
BE UPGRADED TO BETTER
PORTRAY WEATHER SYSTEMS.
781
00:41:22,148 --> 00:41:23,649
Feith: IN TODAY'S
COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT,
782
00:41:23,649 --> 00:41:26,752
PILOTS HAVE AVAILABLE TO THEM
COLOR WEATHER RADAR.
783
00:41:26,752 --> 00:41:30,089
IT'S RADAR THAT WILL DEPICT
IN VARIOUS COLOR BANDS
784
00:41:30,089 --> 00:41:32,158
THE INTENSITY OF
THE PRECIPITATION.
785
00:41:32,158 --> 00:41:33,893
[HAIL HITTING AIRCRAFT]
786
00:41:33,893 --> 00:41:36,195
Narrator: THE CRASH OF
SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242
787
00:41:36,195 --> 00:41:38,264
ALSO LEADS TO
A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
788
00:41:38,264 --> 00:41:42,201
OF HOW ENGINES SHOULD BE MANAGED
IN HEAVY PRECIPITATION.
789
00:41:42,201 --> 00:41:44,971
Weaver: WE, ONCE AGAIN,
REAFFIRMED TO THE PILOTS
790
00:41:44,971 --> 00:41:49,008
THE IMPORTANCE NOT TO ALLOW
THE ENGINE TO CONTINUE OPERATION
791
00:41:49,008 --> 00:41:51,477
IN CONTINUAL SURGING.
792
00:41:51,477 --> 00:41:54,480
IF THERE IS A SURGE CONDITION
FOR ANY REASON,
793
00:41:54,480 --> 00:41:56,849
YOU SHOULD CLEAR THE SURGE,
794
00:41:56,849 --> 00:41:58,584
BECAUSE IF YOU DIDN'T
CLEAR THE SURGE
795
00:41:58,584 --> 00:42:03,322
AND ALLOWED IT TO OPERATE,
IT WOULD BREAK EVENTUALLY.
796
00:42:03,322 --> 00:42:06,826
Narrator: IN EVERY AIR CRASH,
INVESTIGATORS TRY TO DETERMINE
797
00:42:06,826 --> 00:42:09,695
WHETHER OR NOT THE ACCIDENT
WAS SURVIVABLE.
798
00:42:09,695 --> 00:42:11,197
Feith: WHEN YOU LOOK AT
THE SURVIVABILITY
799
00:42:11,197 --> 00:42:13,265
IN AN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT,
800
00:42:13,265 --> 00:42:16,002
YOU CAN DEFINITIVELY SAY
THAT THE DESIGN OF THE SEAT
801
00:42:16,002 --> 00:42:19,472
CONTRIBUTED TO THE SURVIVAL
FACTORS ASPECTS.
802
00:42:19,472 --> 00:42:22,708
BUT THE STATISTICS THAT BEAR OUT
WHETHER SITTING IN THE FRONT
803
00:42:22,708 --> 00:42:25,211
OF THE AIRPLANE IS SAFER, THE
MIDDLE OF THE AIRPLANE IS SAFER,
804
00:42:25,211 --> 00:42:28,914
OR THE BACK OF THE AIRPLANE
IS SAFER, DON'T EXIST.
805
00:42:28,914 --> 00:42:30,916
IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE,
806
00:42:30,916 --> 00:42:32,651
A SURVIVING PASSENGER,
DON FOSTER,
807
00:42:32,651 --> 00:42:35,654
WAS QUICK-THINKING--HE PUT
A LEATHER JACKET OVER HIS HEAD
808
00:42:35,654 --> 00:42:37,289
AND USED A PILLOW AS A BUFFER
809
00:42:37,289 --> 00:42:39,859
BETWEEN THE SEAT IN FRONT OF HIM
AND HIS FACE.
810
00:42:39,859 --> 00:42:42,762
THAT PROBABLY SAVED HIS LIFE,
FROM THE STANDPOINT
811
00:42:42,762 --> 00:42:46,565
THAT IT MINIMIZED ANY INJURIES
HE WOULD HAVE SUFFERED.
812
00:42:46,565 --> 00:42:48,868
Narrator: IN FACT, THE NTSB
BELIEVES THAT
813
00:42:48,868 --> 00:42:51,470
IF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HAD
DISTRIBUTED BLANKETS AND PILLOWS
814
00:42:51,470 --> 00:42:54,240
TO THE PASSENGERS, THERE WOULD
HAVE BEEN FEWER INJURIES
815
00:42:54,240 --> 00:42:55,674
AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH.
816
00:42:55,674 --> 00:42:57,610
Chandler: WE LEARN FROM
EVERY AIRPLANE CRASH.
817
00:42:57,610 --> 00:42:59,211
WE LEARNED FROM THIS ONE.
818
00:42:59,211 --> 00:43:00,980
WE LEARNED THAT
THE COMMUNICATION BROKE DOWN
819
00:43:00,980 --> 00:43:03,449
WITHIN THE FAA,
WITHIN SOUTHERN AIRWAYS,
820
00:43:03,449 --> 00:43:06,285
EVEN WITHIN THE COCKPIT
OF THAT DC-9.
821
00:43:06,285 --> 00:43:08,254
WHAT WE DIDN'T
ULTIMATELY LEARN, THOUGH,
822
00:43:08,254 --> 00:43:13,159
IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON,
AND THAT IS AWESOME RESPECT
823
00:43:13,159 --> 00:43:16,762
FOR MOTHER NATURE AND
WHAT MOTHER NATURE CAN DO.
824
00:43:18,330 --> 00:43:21,367
Narrator: 30 YEARS HAVE PASSED
SINCE SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 242
825
00:43:21,367 --> 00:43:25,171
CRASHED THROUGH THE SMALL
COMMUNITY OF NEW HOPE, GEORGIA.
826
00:43:25,171 --> 00:43:27,273
EVERY 10 YEARS SINCE THE CRASH,
827
00:43:27,273 --> 00:43:30,876
SURVIVORS OF THE TRAGEDY GATHER
AT A CHURCH IN NEW HOPE.
828
00:43:30,876 --> 00:43:32,845
THEY REMEMBER THOSE
WHO WERE LOST
829
00:43:32,845 --> 00:43:35,347
AND HELP ONE ANOTHER
COPE WITH THE TRAGEDY.
830
00:43:35,347 --> 00:43:38,818
IT'S ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNNING
SURVIVORS' GROUPS OF ITS KIND.
831
00:43:40,753 --> 00:43:43,622
Pastor: EARL D. JOHNSON...
832
00:43:43,622 --> 00:43:46,792
[BELL CHIMES]
833
00:43:46,792 --> 00:43:49,762
LYMAN KEELE, JR....
834
00:43:49,762 --> 00:43:51,997
[BELL CHIMES]
835
00:43:51,997 --> 00:43:54,467
WILLIAM WADE McKENZIE...
836
00:43:54,467 --> 00:43:57,336
[BELL CHIMES]
837
00:43:57,336 --> 00:44:01,273
Foster: AFTER THE CRASH
I HAD A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING
838
00:44:01,273 --> 00:44:04,310
HOW I MANAGED TO SURVIVE.
839
00:44:04,310 --> 00:44:08,347
AND AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS,
I QUIT WORRYING ABOUT IT.
840
00:44:08,347 --> 00:44:12,118
I FELT LIKE I HAD
A SECOND SHOT AT IT.
841
00:44:12,118 --> 00:44:17,857
I FELT LIKE THAT FAMILY
WAS MORE IMPORTANT.
842
00:44:17,857 --> 00:44:22,328
[BELLS CHIME AMAZING GRACE]
843
00:44:30,936 --> 00:44:34,039
Griffin: IT TOOK A PRETTY
DEEP TOLL ON OUR FAMILY,
844
00:44:34,039 --> 00:44:36,609
MY MOTHER,
MY FATHER, ESPECIALLY.
845
00:44:36,609 --> 00:44:40,412
THEY LOST TWO OF THEIR CHILDREN
AND ALL THEIR GRANDCHILDREN
846
00:44:40,412 --> 00:44:42,648
ALL AT ONE TIME.
847
00:44:46,785 --> 00:44:49,989
Hurst:
AND I CAN STILL, TO THIS DAY,
848
00:44:49,989 --> 00:44:54,160
HEAR THE SOUNDS,
AND I CAN SEE THOSE PEOPLE.
849
00:44:54,160 --> 00:44:58,030
SO MANY THINGS WILL BRING BACK
THOSE SMALLEST MEMORIES.
850
00:44:58,030 --> 00:44:59,999
THE EMOTIONS COME BACK.
851
00:44:59,999 --> 00:45:02,868
YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO,
YOU DON'T ASK FOR THEM,
852
00:45:02,868 --> 00:45:04,737
BUT YOU CAN'T STOP THEM.
853
00:45:07,339 --> 00:45:10,709
Lemoine-Cooper:
I MEAN, I'VE HAD A GREAT LIFE
BECAUSE OF THIS, IN A WAY.
854
00:45:10,709 --> 00:45:14,647
THAT MAKES NO SENSE, BUT
IT'S CHANGED ME FOR THE BETTER.
855
00:45:14,647 --> 00:45:16,482
I THINK I'VE DONE BETTER
AND HAD A BETTER LIFE
856
00:45:16,482 --> 00:45:19,385
BECAUSE OF HOW I GREW FROM THAT.
70072
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