04 February 2016

NTSB in Alaska: Not Just Another Reality Show


NTSB aviation accident investigator Millicent Hoidal speaks to the media while conducting an on-scene investigation at the Iliamna crash site of the de Havilland DHC-3T Turbine Otter that crashed during takeoff from East Wind Lake in the background on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015. The floatplane crashed early Tuesday morning with a load of fishing guides and clients killing three people. Bill Roth/ADN
Alaskans will be able to get an investigator’s-eye view of several prominent recent plane crashes when a TV series chronicling the National Transportation Safety Board’s work in the state premieres next month.

“Alaska Aircrash Investigations” will debut on the Smithsonian Channel on March 13. The show, billed as a “docu-series” in a statement Tuesday outlining its scope, covers half a dozen fatal Alaska plane crashes during the summer of 2015.
 
“'Alaska Aircrash Investigations' follows five NTSB members as they risk their lives in extreme environments to access remote crash sites in the unpredictable Alaskan wilderness,” producers wrote. “From dense forests to raging rivers, there is no place impenetrable for the ‘Go Team.’ Every investigation tests these brave men and women, from the seasoned veterans to the rookies who are just beginning their careers in air safety.”
The six-episode series features the NTSB’s Alaska chief, Clint Johnson, as well as investigators Brice Banning and Shaun Williams. Two more investigators seen in the show, Chris Shaver and Millicent Hoidal, are moving to Outside postings with the board, as Johnson reviews candidates to replace them.

Johnson said Tuesday that the Smithsonian Channel’s series is not a reality show. He emphasized the effort producers and crews took to accurately depict investigators’ work.

Trust me, the NTSB folks have their work cut out for them in Alaska, and if it's true that it won't be yet another overly-dramatic "Alaska will kill you!!" show, then we welcome an accurate depiction of what goes on here.

2 comments:

Ed Bonderenka said...

Would like to see that show.
From my warm couch.

Rev. Paul said...

Ed, it remains to be seen how realistic the show really is, and how much is governmental fluff, but I understand.