Exclusive for Podcrashers:
This Patreon-exclusive episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast shares an unforgettable story that starts at 39,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Stephanie tells the story of Captain Robert Piché and First Officer Dirk de Jager as they realize something seems off when looking at their A330's fuel readings. What happens next is terrifying and inspiring at the same time, and it left aviation a safer place and provided some incredible insights into the neuroscience of traumatic events that benefit people to this day.Sources consulted for this story:
- Government of Portugal: Official Accident Report
- Aero News Network: Robert Piché Given Award
- CBC: PTSD clues gleaned from passengers on terrifying flight
- New York Times: Jet Pilot Who Saved 304 Finds Heroism Tainted
- Toronto Star: Twenty years after his historic emergency landing, Commander Piché asks himself: 'Why me?'
- Robert Piché: Official Website
- Chicago Tribune: `I'm not a hero,' says pilot whose skill saved 300 on plane
- Los Angeles Times: Pilot Recalls Safe Conclusion of a 'Miracle' Flight
- Globe and Mail: Transat pilot flying high in popular opinion
- CTV News: Canadian pilot recounts losing both engines over the Atlantic Ocean
- CBC: Air Transat Flight 236: investigation continues, crew tells story
- FAA Handbook: Ground Reference Maneuvers
- CBC: Grateful passengers praise Air Transat pilot
- Independent: Passengers sue airline after jet runs out of fuel
- CBC: Air Transat settles with emergency landing passengers
- Globe and Mail: The panic on Transat Flight 236
- Flight Global: A330 lands safely after gliding for 20 minutes
- Air Transat: Captain Piché: An Ordinary Man with an Extraordinary Life
- Air Transat: Emergency landing of Air Transat Flight TS 236 on August 24, 2001
- CBS News: Running On Empty
- Global News: Brain scans of passengers on near-disastrous Air Transat flight studied
- Association for Psychological Science: Passengers on 2001 Air Transat Flight Provide Insights About Post-Traumatic Stress Vulnerability
- Medicine Net: Plane Passengers' Near-Death Experience Gives Clues to Trauma's Effect on Brain
- CBC: PTSD clues gleaned from passengers on terrifying flight
Credits:
Written and produced by: Shelly Price and Stephanie HubkaDirected and engineered at: Snow Monster Studios
Sound editor: Podcast Engineers
Producer: Adam Hubka
Music by: Mike Dunn
Captain Robert Piché. Source: Air Transat
The A330 after landing in the Azores. Source: We Are the Mighty
The hydraulic line and fuel line associated with the right engine as seen in the accident report. Source: Aviation Chief
Air Transat Flight 236 landing gear that dug into the runway. Source: FAA
