Runaway AIRCRAFT! This Aircraft Flew TWO HOURS Without CONTROLS!

Imagine being stuck on an aircraft which is clearly out of control. Now imagine that for almost TWO WHOLE HOURS. This is effectively what happened to the pilots and passengers of Air Astana flight 1388.
In this video I will tell you all that you need to know from the final report, explaining this accident.
As Always I would love to hear your comments about the video. File them in under the comments below!

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Below you will find the links to videos and sources used in this episode. Enjoy checking them out!

Aircraft 3D Model:

00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Chapter 1: Routine Maintenance
01:43 - Chapter 2: Cable Issues
02:48 - Chapter 3: Roll Axis
03:40 - Chapter 4: A Hybrid Aircraft
04:41 - Chapter 5: The Crew
05:16 - Chapter 6: The Flight Crew
05:52 - Chapter 7: Pre-Flight
06:53 - Chapter 8: Taxi
07:47 - Chapter 9: Takeoff
08:46 - Chapter 10: Rollercoaster From Hell
10:25 - Chapter 11: The Ride Continues
14:38 - Chapter 12: Two's Company
15:59 - Chapter 13: Landing Attempt 1
16:54 - Chapter 14: Landing Attempt 2
17:22 - Chapter 15: Third Time Lucky?
18:07 - Chapter 16: Sickbags At The Ready
19:01 - Final Chapter: What Went Wrong?
20:24 - Outro

Sources:

[MasterVertex]

So these pilots were forced to learn how to fly with a new kind of control system, while essentially strapped into a G centrifuge, without receiving prior instruction and without knowing that thy were in fact, test pilots that day. That has to be one of the most impressive feats of flying in history.

[pey]

The fact that they were able to land that thing successfully is INSANE

[BrettonFerguson]

"We need a vector to the ocean for ditching. Away from the trees and people."
Yes they actually said this to ATC at one point. When ATC asked to clarify if they wanted to land, they said no we have to ditch the plane is uncontrollable. You know it was bad when their best plan is to crash into the ocean. Then when ATC told them they were 40 miles from the ocean, they asked for a vector to the river. They didn't think they could make it 40 miles. That had to be terrifying.

[markemanuele]

Checklist item 1. Flight controls free and CORRECT. My flight instructor gave me a Cessna 172 that had just came in from maintenance. (He knew that the ailerons were strung backwards, but wanted to see if I would pick up on what was wrong) I just saw that the controls were free, but I didn't check for "correct". He let me get as far as starting to taxi, but then had me double check, and I must have turned as white as a ghost when I saw what was wrong. I learned an important lesson that day.

[codygerard]

The first officer, after the landing attempt, acknowledging that he had hit his limits, and being willing to take a back seat, and trusting his fellow pilot to take over and do the job, is as amazing as anything in here. That is not an easy thing to do, especially under this much stress, to know when you've gone beyond what you are capable of, and be willing to leave it in some one else's hands.

[tranquilitytranquility]

I read captain’s account and he said that they were a substitute crew drafted at the last minute and didn’t know anything about how long the plane was in maintenance for or what works were done. At some point during the flight, exhausted from the physical effort of trying to control the plane they asked the people at the back if they could bring some water into cockpit. When one of the maintenance guys came in (that’s where the ankle injury is from) they asked him about the nature of the maintenance works and from that quickly deduced what the problem might be. They sent him back to observe what the ailerons were doing and that confirmed it.

[andrewclark]

I actually got quite emotional at the conclusion of this. When I started watching, I automatically assumed it was a fatal crash. What an amazing story, brilliantly explained.

[MrMRW]

Insane levels of skill by these pilots. I’m not Kazakh but I’ve spent a lot of time in Kazakhstan and on Air Astana. It doesn’t surprise me for a second that these guys pulled off a miracle, and that they did it trying to save lives.

Kazakhstan rocks

[EdgyShooter]

The fact this plane didn't break apart is simply incredible. Shows how important high tolerances are!

[PartanBree]

This one is insane. I can't even understand how it didn't crash the first time it rolled over, and the extent of the damage suggests that, if they hadn't managed to stabilise it, it would sooner or later have broken up or lost a wing. Absolutely unbelievable that they managed to land it!

[clairewilliams]

When he said the pilots never gave up trouble shooting to the end, I was convinced this was this was going to end with everyone dying. Never been so happy to be wrong, what an excellent crew for getting the plane down safely with no more than a twisted ankle.

[gatekeeper]

Kudos to the first officer for stepping aside when he knew he was in over his head mentally. It takes a strong person to make the proper decision for the greater good of everyone involved, than to worry about personal pride.

[gogovideo]

I was not expecting this story to end with a safe landing and just 1 minor injury, and I'm sure nobody on the plane expected that either. These pilots are the guys I want to be flying me wherever I've got to go!

[paroxysmattack]

That's a real kick in the face right there...as soon as they land they get that error message. What an amazing crew.

[williamdunklin]

As a frequent passenger on Embraer 190s I want to raise a glass to that resilient little jet that held it together to the very end.

[oskarlimazulu]

Flying in the same company, same fleet and knowing each of you personally makes me really proud of you guys. I have just watched the National Geographic investigation documentary and I can't imagine the level of emotions you had on that day. Vyacheslav Aushev, Sergeı Sokolov, Bauyrjan Qarasholaqov you engraved your names in history forever.

[KleineLette]

As a student pilot I was flying solo in a Cessna 152 Aerobat when all of a sudden my yoke froze at 3000 ft. I looked and looked but found nothing that I could see. I felt I had no choice and pulled hard. I didn't know what else to do. My control returned, but with about 12" of slop. I managed to get back to the uncontrolled ARPT runway and landed. I did report the emergency and my instructor was on the runway waiting. I landed safely due to judicious use of the throttle and a long final approach. It turns out that the last pilot had tossed a Pepsi bottle aft of the seats and it got tangled in the cables. I was concerned, but not scared which I attribute having had an excellent instructor. As in all things of life, you just never know what's around the corner, but good training and practice (even for the ridiculous) can and will save your butt!

[sawmillguy]

Fascinating story. I thought it was going to end in tragedy. Hats off to those pilots for staying calm.

[giscardpluie]

After having found this fantastic channel and today having watched this video with the Embraer Jet aileron failure, I felt comming up an incident stored unerasable in my memories.
As a young mechanical engineering student in the early 1980s, I did an internship at an aircraft repair shop.
Of course, I was only allowed to work under supervision and was not allowed to carry out any safety-related work.
But I was very skilled, knew a lot about airplanes, even as a child I built remote-controlled model airplanes. Therefore, the control functions were absolutely familiar to me.
A major check was carried out on a Fairchild Metroliner...also implemented service bulletins...I was allowed to work under supervision and according to instructions, which I was very proud of.
All main and trim control cables were also replaced, although of course I wasn't allowed to be involved.
Of course the works were late and there were already heated discussions in the offices.
On the day of the workshop flight, I stood at the hangar gate and admiring this beautiful aircraft on the apron... just as I had admired all aircraft... except for me, nobody watched and followed the start-up and runup.
There were two pilots on board, there had been extensive ground runs the day before.
At some point the plane started rolling, away from the apron towards one of the two taxiways.
It had been rolling for a while when I could see the rudders moving...elevator, aileron...multiple times....no one but me was paying attention to the machine at that moment.
I couldn't believe my eyes but actually, the ailerons moved in the same direction...both up...both down.
I was stunned, because the machine continued to taxi undeterred towards the runway holding point at the only runway.
There was no radio nearby, no telephone either... and if, I did, I didn't know how to reach anyone... and at first I thought... the pilots must have noticed that... but they didn't.
The plane reached the holding point, the engines became louder, I could hear the engines roaring while checking the propeller pitch, the typical sound of a turboprop at that time....obviously the takeoff checks were continuing.
I ran completely horrified onto the apron of our small city airport, there was nothing going on at that time. I was fully aware would happen as soon as they would begin the take off run
I tried to draw attention to myself with waving movements and screams...no one took any notice of me.
Luckily, one of the yellow jackets just came out of a door at the terminal...that's what the guys from the ground crew got calle...I knew him by sight.
I ran to him, I'm sure he would have a handheld radio...but I was afraid he wouldn't understand what I wanted or would think I was nuts.
Luckily he was so impressed by my excitement that he radioed the tower or apron control and at the small airfield it was either the same controller or the two were sitting next to each other.
And so the pilots were actually radioed to make sure what was going on with a rudder check.
Well... and then they rolled back.
To me ist was clear at that moment, this I saved the lives of the pilots...and who knows how many others too...the first change of direction in the climb would have been directly above our city, as I know today.
The pilots did not notice before, the aileron flaps went in the same direction ….I received many thanks for my attention, I stayed in touch with these guys quite some years and the aicraft shop gave me jobs all time during my studies which helped me very much.
As far as I know, the incident was never officially recorded anywhere...however, there were some serious consequences internally, at the shop...and at the airline.
I graduated successfully...and saved money from my early salaries to do my PPL.
You can probably guess which item in the checklist I am very serious about...
Thanks for your patience if yot reached this end of my comment. I tought it is worth writing it...
Real great job you do with this channel, I really admire it!
Greetings from Germany, Chris

[caffiend.]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU that they made it through alive. The plane was flown by Captain Vyacheslav Aushev (40); First officer Bauyrzhan Karasholakov (32); and First officer in jumpseat Sergey Sokolov (26).[4][3] Three engineers travelled as passengers.[2]