Science Channel investigates one of the most perplexing airplane disasters in recent history with the US Premiere of AIRASIA 8501: ANATOMY OF A CRASH. This fateful event culminated on December 28th, 2014 when AirAsia flight 8501 and its 155 passengers and seven crew members were lost in a storm, 40 minutes into its journey from Indonesia to Singapore.
Comparing and contrasting the story of this flight with aviation tragedies of the recent past such as Air France flight 447 and Malaysia Airlines flight 370, this in-depth documentary will examine the impact of the Earth's increasingly severe weather conditions on the aviation industry. It will also question whether so-called 'super storms' are becoming more frequent and severe, while looking at the cutting-edge technology currently being developed to prevent future tragedies. AIRASIA 8501: ANATOMY OF A CRASH airs tonight, April 28 at 10pm ET/PT on Science Channel.
Watch a promo for the special below:
For the first time, computer-generated animation will breakdown radar data from the final moments of flight 370, while world-leading meteorologists will use weather data from the day of the accident to look at the effects of the storm on one of the world's safest planes, the Airbus. The special will also demonstrate the consequences of a mid-air stall, performed in a light aircraft by an experienced test pilot, explaining how such an occurrence could have been a factor in flight 8501's final moments.
In a world that depends more and more on airplanes to get us from point A to point B, it is crucial to develop safer technologies to ensure safe passage. AIRASIA 8501 interviews scientists and aviation experts who are optimistic that with more advanced technology and understanding of the Earth's weather patterns, we can continue to build safer planes.
