The Consequences Of Nothing To Lose (Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961) - DISASTER BREAKDOWN

00:00 Intro
01:50 Context
04:31 Ethiopian Airlines
08:17 Hijacking
26:26 Crash Landing on Water
31:09 Aftermath

What you are about to see is one of the most stunning videos ever recorded. It was taken on November 23rd, 1996, on Galawa Beach, a secluded stretch of sand on the Northern Coast of Ngazidja, the largest island of the Comoros Archipelago.
The video itself was taken by an unsuspecting tourist as they lounged on the beach. Suddenly a passenger plane emerged into view from her left. With the camera rolling, she captured this moment...
This was the outcome of a hijacking gone wrong. This video has been shared around a lot in its time, both on television and in the age of the internet, and I do not think we really appreciate just how shocking this recording actually is. It’s not every day that you happen to video a plane crashing onto the water let alone a wide-body passenger plane. This just does not happen.
But we are not here to talk about this video in and of itself, we are here to unpack the subject, the plane itself. How did it end up this way? Who Hijacked the plane and why? This is the story of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961

Sources:
Selamta July-September 2001 and 2002 Editions
Mo & Me - Al-Jazeera Documentary
"Ocean Landing" - Cineflix Productions Documentary

#aviation #planes

[DisasterBreakdown]

Thank you all so much for watching this video.

[terrencewalker]

"You're not just dead... you're f***ing dead." I think flight attendants should say it like that in all their pre-takeoff safety briefings.

[NoelleTakestheSky]

If I were to be stuck in a plane being hijacked, I’d want that captain. The stress he was under was immense, and yet he made it seem like he was complying, yet found ways to keep the plane close enough to help, then went down in a way that spared lives. Admirable. Very admirable.

[anacampanita]

As an ex-flight attendant who is still huge on aviation and anything safety (I’m training to be a fire fighter), thank you so much for that life vest PSA and not sugar coating it whatsoever. There’s very little more frustrating to me than hearing about people dying a death that incredibly avoidable. Love you Chloe, you’re the best!! Keep up the amazing work 🥹🤍

[luminous]

I love how you reiterate that you should not inflate the life vest inside the plane. I'm quite familiar with this incident watching a documentary when I was younger and that thing about not inflating the life vest stuck with me eversince.

[ianmorris]

One irony of this tragic event is that the hijackers chose Australia as their destination, one country that almost certainly would have denied them asylum as they had such tenuous grounds for it. They would have most likely been returned to Ethiopia by Australian authorities after arrest in Perth.

[bmused]

I read in a report that the reason the left wing dipped was because even with no engines running and the water getting closer, the main hijacker wrestled with the captain for control of the plane. Turning a perfectly lined up approach to what you see in the video.

Also, I commend you for not holding back when telling people to follow the fucking safety instructions.
Really, REALLY pisses me off seeing people not give two seconds thought on them, especially when they are in the exit row. Their ignorance could kill people.

[Generness]

The language spoken in the video is Afrikaans, one of the many languages spoken in South Africa. Not much is said, but here is a translation for those interested.

Male voice: "Oh hell".
Female Voice: "What is this?" **pause** "My angel, what is this?" **sharp inhale** "My love, what is this?"
Male voice: "An airplane crash."
Female voice: **sharp inhale** **expletive**

[ZombieSazza]

Honestly what’s impressive for me is that Chloe got a copy of a Selamta magazine to further explain this disaster.

Also appreciated is the subtitles, I’m hard of hearing and always use subtitles, it’s genuinely appreciated seeing proper subtitles ready with a new video!

[OwlRTA]

I watched the Mayday episode on this as a kid, and the horror of passengers being stuck in the plane because they inflated their life vests before the crash has always stuck with me. It showed me why you only inflate AFTER you get out of the plane. So you doing a segment about it was great.

[richardrawson]

Your life vest instructional is exactly what passengers need to hear. My dad was an airline pilot with Northwest and we flew non-rev all the time and even though I’ve been through the aircraft safety spiels all my life I still give them my full attention. Every single time I fly I look at how 95% of the passengers are completely tuned out and ignoring every word. I just imagine that scene in Airplane when everyone instantly panics and they’re screaming and running around and it’s total chaos- that’s what I imagine happening if an actual emergency occurs.

[rilmar]

Captain Abate and first officer Mekuria are true heroes.
Also, the "you're dead" monologue is utterly iconic

[lostvictims]

In remembrance:

Flight Attendant Tsegereda Estifanos, Ethiopian
Flight Attendant Yodit Sebsibe, Ethiopian
Flight Attendant Tehut Zemedagegnehu, Ethiopian
Flight Attendant Nazerawit Amanuel, Ethiopian
Flight Attendant Tsehay Zewde, Ethiopian
Flight Attendant Gulima Sime Gulima, Ethiopian
J. Meisgeier, Austrian, 21B
Ngoya Tshite, Belgian, 14D
Ra M. Bello, Beninese, 21G
A.R. Issa, Beninese, 20G
F. Tchoulenou, Cameroonian, 30B
Teresa Ndongko, Cameroonian, 14F
Timothy John Stone, Canadian, 14A
Saeed Ibrahim, Chadian, 17D
B. Yaya, Congolese, 31C
N. Samuel, Congolese, 19D
V. Muntalou, Congolese, 19C
Adam Doumbia, Ivorian, 28C
Ahmed Ibrahim, Egyptian, 21E
Zeray Abraha, Ethiopian, 8C
Ibrahim Ahmed, Ethiopian, 18A
Shiferaw Alemezewd, Ethiopian, 22A
Kitaw Asnake, Ethiopian, 19A
Gutema Beyene, Ethiopian, 12F
Aklilu Ejigayehu, Ethiopian, 13B
Ledetu Genet, Ethiopian, 13G
W. Michael Kalkidan, Ethiopian, 20A
Bineam Sitena, Ethiopian, 20B
Wakbulcho Matiwos, Ethiopian, 14B
Jembere Sileshi, Ethiopian, 14C
Woldu G. Semayat, Ethiopian, 32F
Ayenew Zelalem, Ethiopian, 12G
Claude Matarasso, French, 29A
Sylviana Rakatobe, French, 13A
Ulrich Ehmike, German, 34G
Antal Annus, Hungarian, 1A
G. Rhine, Indian, 17A
C. Dcunha, Indian, 11C
B.S. Fulfagar, Indian, 17G
E. Gomes, Indian, 28E
Tulsiani Kishni, Indian, 7A
Kripalani, Indian, 11F
A. Krishnana, Indian, 11D
K. Lalwani, Indian, 1G
L. Ouseph, Indian, 27A
V.J. Palathingal, Indian, 12E
Y. Ravindra, Indian, 11E
T. Shankerdas, Indian, 7B
M. Singh, Indian, 18B
M. Sunilhira, Indian, 28D
Yehuda Soroka, Israeli, 21C
Elizer Levkovitch, Israeli, 11A
Gadi Levi, Israeli, 18D
Yechezkel Raz, Israeli, 31F
Shraga Bar Nissna, Israeli, 18C
Amram Ben David, Israeli, 12A
Ya’acov Braun, Israeli, 13C
H. Nakauchi, Japanese, 1E
John Muia, Kenyan, 32A
Tosh Muia, Kenyan, 33A
Kevin Muia, Kenyan, 33B
Stephanie Muia, Kenyan, 32B
Roma Oloo, Kenyan, 11B
Kanti Shah, Kenyan, 20D
Abraha Solomon, Kenyan, 34A
Brian Tetley, 61, Kenyan, 10E
Lee Heon-jong, South Korean, 21F
C. Chupleh, Liberian, 18G
Rich Prince, Liberian, 18F
Ousm Lah, Malian, 30D
A. Dembelle, Malian, 23D
Dram Doucoure, Malian, 30E
Gaout Drame, Malian, 28A
F. Sacko, Malian, 25F
Maha Sylla, Malian, 22B
Moun Sylia, Malian, 14G
M. Tounkara, Malian, 23B
Lass Traore, Malian, 30C
M. Adelola, Nigerian, 10C
A. Adetoye, Nigerian, 19B
Chuk Anozie, Nigerian, 22G
Odes Bolade, Nigerian, 26B
Uche Dozie, Nigerian, 21D
Ce M. Grace, Nigerian, 21E
Ogie Kingsley, Nigerian, 27D
R. Makanjwola, Nigerian 23G
S. Massirou, Nigerian, 29B
Samb Mohammed, Nigerian, 12D
Nkul Nnecoma, Nigerian, 22F
O. Odikwa, Nigerian, 30A
B.C. Ojiako, Nigerian, 19E
I. Okifufe, Nigerian, 19F
K.O. Sakariawa, Nigerian, 23F
T. Savage, Nigerian, 13F
A.L. Sherifat, Nigerian, 20C
W.L. Titilayo, Nigerian, 20F
Anik Yusufu, Nigerian, 23A
Jawe Mohammed, Pakistani, 29F
Juliana Pauline, Sierra Leonean, 32G
Mohammed Omar, Somalian, 21A
T. Kanagaratnam, Sri Lankan, 31G
Tchur Kandiah, Sri Lankan, 25A
C. Sellatamby, Sri Lankan, 22E
A. Senivasar, Sri Lankan, 24A
P. Senivasar, Sri Lankan, 19G
A. Thangavelu, Sri Lankan, 31A
S. Paramalingam, Sri Lankan, 30G
S. Balakrishnan, Sri Lankan, 30F
I. Nallanathan, Sri Lankan, 17E
Eva Fritz, Swedish, 26A
Aana Olsson, Swedish, 34B
Claude Morgenegg, Swiss, 2C
Udarbur Teriaev, Ukrainian, 24B
Kathleen E. Wilding, 87, British, 11G
Anthony Charters, 46, British, 17F
Andrew Meakins, 43, British, 20E
Mohamed Amin, 53, British, 2A
Alistair McAdam Russell, British, 17C
Ronnie Stewart Farris, 46, American, 12C
Leslianne Shedd, 28, American, 24G
A. Alzarek Nasser, Yemeni, 24D
Kulo Malu, Zairian, 18E


And to the survivors:

Captain Leul Abate, 42, Ethiopian
First Officer Yonas Mekuria, 34, Ethiopian
Mechanic Shibeshi Melka, Ethiopian
Flight Attendant Yeshimebet Gebremeskel, 36, Ethiopian
Flight Attendant Hiwot Tadesse, Ethiopian
Flight Attendant Girmay Lemlem, Ethiopian
Drame Aboubakar, Congolese, 28F
Mohammed Awad, Congolese, 24C
Ainan Moussa, Djiboutian, 26G
Ahmed Souleiman, Djiboutian, 27G
Bisrat Alemu Mengesha, Ethiopian, 25C
Negasi Lucia, Ethiopian, 14E
Tessema Yishak, Ethiopian, 33C
Maurice Bernard, French, 34E
Jacques Bret, French, 34D
Bharti Mirchandani, 4, Indian, 8F
Rekha Mirchandani, 29, Indian, 9A
Nankani, Indian, 8A
Raval, Indian, 28B
Nagin B. Surti, 55, Indian, 25E
Shibanand Mohan, Indian, 25G
Lior Fuchs, 23, Israeli, 13D
Lucia Di Folco, Italian, 29G
Fabio Bedini, 37, Italian, 34F
Massimo La Barbera, Italian, 27F
Caterina Urzi, Italian, 24F
Takahito Sugiyama, 56, Japanese, 10G
Kanaidza Abwao, Kenyan, 34C
Sebhatu Asmelash, Kenyan 33G
Mohamed Mirali, Kenyan 33F
Rasikal Shah, Kenyan, 26D
Michael Odenyo, Kenyan, 24E
E. Wanderi, Kenyan, 32D
Joalane Makone, Mosotho, 25D
Djawara Bouye, Malian, 23C
Samo Diawara, , Malian, 31D
A. Issaka, Malian, 23E
P. Adumonyema, Nigerian, 9F
Alphonso Dala, Nigerian, 26F
Ambrose Mbakwu, Nigerian, 27E
F. Ogbanna, Nigerian, 7C
Monica Tibwitta, Ugandan, 9G
Vita Ioukhatchov, Ukrainian, 28G
Demitrovitzm Lisivictor, Ukrainian, 26E
Victor Strelnikov, Ukrainian, 31E
Elizabeth Anders, 32, British, 33E
Katherine Hayes, 31, British, 33D
Chanya Huddle, American, 22D
Franklin Pierce Huddle Jr., 53, American, 22C
R. McFarland, American, 8B

This is formatted to be the following: Name, Age if possible, nationality and seat number. The hijackers are not on this list.

(Side note: This is from the official Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, with corrections I have attempted to make. Not all of the names in the report are 100% accurate, so I tried my best to make this as accurate as possible. If you have any corrections or additional information that you have, please, let me know.)

[jasminejohnston]

Only fifty people survived this crash and most of those who perished had inflated their life vests inside the plane, which sealed their fate

[timeandnourishment]

Airlines really need to show your segment on the life vest as part of their safety presentations; cabin crew could nod grimly in synch with all the key words in your last sentence. This would probably get the message across, even to the densest passengers.
A superb video, Chloe - the best account of this nightmarish event that I've seen, for sure. Thanks very much!

[Harpeia]

I strongly believe that integrating a "what would happen if you don't" segment would save lives.
Best teacher I've had was an architecture construction professor who spent at least 20 classes playing the most brutal videos of buildings collapsing and telling us why it happened. After that, not a single one of us made a construction mistake on the exam drawing.

[joecrammond]

always a sad crash to think about, the captain did his best given the circumstances, the fact this was his third hijacking is so unbelievable, at least he knew the best way to handle it, even if he couldn't do much to prevent the inevitable crash, R.I.P. to all the innocent victims who died, even today i would be cautious about trying to prevent a hijack

[kiki]

I remember watching a video about this incident in class. The teacher showed us a series of videos called "Why You Should NEVER Panic." After each incident, the teacher asked us true or false questions. "Is this accident survival?" Automatically all but 7 students- including myself answered FALSE." He yelled TRUE. The survival rate of this incident was greater than 50%. He then asked us "Why we answered true or false?" Some students said they were too far out in open waters for a timely rescue. That was false. Some assumed that the speed of impact would break the plane and everyone inside into peices. Some even said passengers could die from shark attacks. My assumption was that there was a high chance that people would drown because they couldn't swim or was too injured to safety swim to shore. He also said that with good teamwork, an orderly plan, and high morale, the 3 hijackers- could be overpowered by 175. The MANPOWER was definitely at the passengers advantage. The 12 crew alone could have distracted and jumped them so that the pilots can take control of the plane again. Especially in the days *before* September 11, 2001.

[Izanagi]

"The captain, being an absolute Chad" 😂

[sitara]

Your delivery of the life vest portion just killed me. The strategic F-bomb combined with the deadpan yet earnest delivery was perfect. Thanks for covering this incredibly tragic story. I hope that pilot never got hijacked again and is having a fabulous day wherever he and his mammoth balls are. I bet the whole time he was thinking, "Man I'm getting tired of this, " whenever he had a giga-second.