EPISODE · May 25, 2026 · 24 MIN
The Fatal Gauge: The Crash of Tunisair Flight 1153
from Air Crash Chronicles · host Air Crash Chronicles
A routine flight over the Mediterranean turned into a life-threatening emergency when both engines suddenly failed due to fuel exhaustion. Unaware of the danger, the crew had been relying on faulty readings caused by the installation of an incorrect fuel indicator, which showed that sufficient fuel remained when, in reality, the tanks were empty.As the aircraft lost power, the pilots attempted to restart the engines, but critical procedures were missed. The propellers were not properly configured, creating excessive drag and reducing the aircraft’s ability to glide toward safety. With limited options, the crew was forced to attempt a controlled ditching at sea.Errors leading up to the crisis, the captain’s handling of the final moments was crucial. The aircraft struck the water in a way that kept part of the fuselage afloat, allowing several passengers to survive.The investigation later revealed a chain of human failures, from improper maintenance to insufficient verification of fuel levels and procedural missteps in the cockpit. The tragedy became a stark reminder of the importance of strict maintenance standards, accurate instrumentation, and specialized pilot training for handling rare but critical in-flight emergencies.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/Air_Crash_ChroniclesProduced by Podcai Studio:https://www.podcaistudio.com/
What this episode covers
A routine flight over the Mediterranean turned into a life-threatening emergency when both engines suddenly failed due to fuel exhaustion. Unaware of the danger, the crew had been relying on faulty readings caused by the installation of an incorrect fuel indicator, which showed that sufficient fuel remained when, in reality, the tanks were empty.As the aircraft lost power, the pilots attempted to restart the engines, but critical procedures were missed. The propellers were not properly configured, creating excessive drag and reducing the aircraft’s ability to glide toward safety. With limited options, the crew was forced to attempt a controlled ditching at sea.Errors leading up to the crisis, the captain’s handling of the final moments was crucial. The aircraft struck the water in a way that kept part of the fuselage afloat, allowing several passengers to survive.The investigation later revealed a chain of human failures, from improper maintenance to insufficient verification of fuel levels and procedural missteps in the cockpit. The tragedy became a stark reminder of the importance of strict maintenance standards, accurate instrumentation, and specialized pilot training for handling rare but critical in-flight emergencies.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/Air_Crash_ChroniclesProduced by Podcai Studio:https://www.podcaistudio.com/
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The Fatal Gauge: The Crash of Tunisair Flight 1153
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