First episode ‘Disaster flight’ about Bijlmer disaster evokes strong memories in viewers

disaster flight is a reality-based thriller and is not only about the Bijlmer disaster itself, but also about the aftermath of this plane crash.

Finding the real cause

When on October 4, 1992, a Boeing 747 of the Israeli airline company El Al crashes into an apartment building in Amsterdam’s Bijlmermeer, the Netherlands is suddenly world news. Investigation shows that a safety pin has come loose from one of the engines. In short: just bad luck.

But the black box is untraceable.

Journalists Vincent Dekker (Thomas Höppener) and Pierre Heijboer (Yorick van Wageningen) are therefore working with veterinarian Asha Willems (Joy Delima) to find out how this plane could have crashed. Some of those involved also became seriously ill, leaving Vincent and Pierre wondering what that plane actually had on board.

Memories of Bijlmer disaster

The reactions to the first episode have been purely positive. Viewers are deeply impressed. The gruesome images and good acting sometimes lead to ‘oppressive recognitions’.

Many viewers share their memories of the Bijlmer disaster on Twitter. ‘First part of disaster flight about the Bijlmer disaster is promising and makes us curious about the sequel. I can still remember that Sunday evening in 1992 like it was yesterday,” one viewer wrote on Twitter.

Another responds with: ‘This will come in for a while, regardless of whether it is fact or fiction. If you live close to Schiphol, these kinds of scenarios are always in the back of your mind. I was then on the train and entered Amsterdam Amstel. I saw the explosion, not knowing what I saw.’

Watching this series will also bring up many sad memories for Marléne Truideman (69). She previously shared her story about the Bijlmer disaster in Libelle. In 1992 she lived in the flat on which the Boeing 747 crashed. Her son Guillermo (16) and daughter Graciella (14) died. “Even though everything was swept away, I still had hope.” Read the entire interview here.

Golden Calf nomination for ‘Disaster Flight’

disaster flight makes in the Drama Series category together with Dirty Lines and The year of Fortuyn chance of a Golden Calf during the Dutch film festival. The winner will be announced on Friday 30 September during the Golden Calf Gala 2022.

disaster flight can be seen every day from Thursday 29 September at 9:30 pm on KRO-NCRV on NPO 1. The final episode will be broadcast on Tuesday 4 October, exactly 30 years after the disaster.