Why did this 737 FALL out of the sky?? | Turkish 1951

The podcast episode delves into the tragic crash of Turkish Airlines Flight 1951, which occurred on February 25, 2009, shortly before landing at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The flight, carrying 128 passengers and seven crew members, ended in disaster due to a combination of mechanical failure and human error. A malfunctioning radio altimeter misled the pilots about their altitude, while an erroneous engagement of the autopilot's flare mode led to a stall, causing the aircraft to crash just 1.5 kilometers from the runway. The incident resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and injuries to over a hundred others.

Investigations revealed that Boeing had been aware of the potential dangers associated with faulty radio altimeters since 2004 but failed to adequately address the issue for older aircraft models. The pilots' decision to continue their approach despite not meeting stabilized approach criteria contributed to the accident. The episode highlights the complexities of human-machine interaction in aviation and raises questions about the adequacy of pilot training and reporting mechanisms within the industry.

In the aftermath, recommendations were made for improved training on low-altitude stalls and better reporting practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future. A subsequent inquiry into the crash has sparked controversy, with allegations that Boeing influenced the investigation to downplay its responsibility.

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