Turning Point (Northwest Airlines Flight 85)
Run Time: 46 mins
Air Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011
Average Rating: ⭐ 9 (1 votes)
5 Discovery Sky History National Geographic Channel National GeographicSeason 11 - Episode 6
Average Rating: ⭐ 9 (1)
On 9 October 2002, Northwest Airlines Flight 85 is cruising above the Bering Sea, when the lower rudder segment suddenly deflects to the left. The pilots divert the aircraft to a successful emergency landing at Anchorage, Alaska, by using engine thrust for control. The incident was attributed to a fatigue failure of the rudder hydraulic control module, resulting in part of the module's metal casing breaking off.