Podcast
Podcast
Mayday Files – Behind the Scenes of Aircraft Accident Investigation
“Mayday Files” is the German-language podcast that does not narrate aviation accidents speculatively, but methodically analyzes them. Hosted by Thomas Friesacher (qualified aircraft accident investigator, former airline captain) and Maximilian Kunz (investigative author), each episode delves into the intersection of technology, human factors, and organization – with the aim of understanding what happened and what we can learn from it for the future.
What to expect
- Precise Reconstructions: Process, data basis, decision-making paths – clearly presented.
- Human Factors & Systems Thinking: Why do people make certain decisions in complex systems?
- Technology Explained Clearly: Avionics, procedures, safety mechanisms – without jargon overload.
- Practical Lessons: What changes followed? What prevents recurrences?
- Sources & Responsibility: No speculation, no voyeurism. Our work is fact-based and respectful.
How Each Episode is Structured (Theme-Driven)
We work not case-specific, but theme-specific: Each episode focuses on a clear key safety area (e.g., icing, fatigue, maintenance drift, terrain awareness, decision-making) and develops the topic using a real case in which this factor influenced or contributed to the accident.
- 1. Briefing: – Topic, context, and central question of the episode.
- 2. Reconstruction: – Data, timeline, and key moments of the selected case.
- 3. Analysis – Technology, human factors, and organizational aspects of the topic.
- 4. Learnings: – Consequences, safety changes, and clear take-aways on the topic.
- 5. Debrief: – Listener questions, literature & shownotes with additional resources.
Who is "Mayday Files" for?
For Pilots, Technicians, Safety Professionals – and for everyone who truly wants to understand aviation.
Also for listeners who appreciate investigative formats: akin to true crime in investigative work, not in criminalization. If methodology, data, findings logic, and comprehensible conclusions interest you, you have come to the right place. No sensationalism, but professional clarification – respectful, fact-based, and understandable.
Voices & Sound
A factual voice guides narratively through the chapters; we use original ATC and cockpit ambiences sparingly as SFX – atmosphere yes, sensationalism no.
Voices & Sound
- Neutral & Independent
- Methodical & Comprehensible
- Respectful towards those affected
- Knowledge-based instead of opinionated
