This Isn’t How You’re Supposed to Fly a 747: Olympic Airways 411

Video Description

On August 9, 1978, Olympic Airways Flight 411 prepared for a transatlantic journey from Athens to New York. But what began as a routine takeoff turned into one of the most incredible aviation near-disasters ever recorded. With extreme heat, a fully loaded Boeing 747, and a critical engine failure right after V1 speed, Flight 411 faced insurmountable odds. What followed was a dramatic low-altitude flight over the densely populated neighborhoods of Athens, with the aircraft flying as low as 153 feet—so close that office workers could see passengers through the windows. A mistaken shutdown of the water injection system cut engine thrust by 10% at the worst possible moment. Against all odds, Captain Sifis Migadis and his crew made a series of unconventional yet brilliant decisions that saved all 418 lives onboard. Despite no official investigation from Greek authorities, Boeing initiated a detailed analysis and concluded that the crew’s exceptional handling was the only reason the flight didn’t end in catastrophe. The story of Flight 411 remains a powerful lesson in aviation training today, proving that instinct, experience, and quick thinking can rewrite fate. Watch the full story to uncover the gripping sequence of events, the physics-defying flight, and the unsung heroes behind this miraculous escape. #Flight411 #OlympicAirways #Boeing747 #AviationHistory #NearCrash #PilotHero #AviationMiracle #EmergencyLanding #AirDisaster #FlightAnalysis #Mayday Become a member of this channel to enjoy benefits: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSbX6rQTwHtrAV_OGrPn0gw/join Do you like the music on the channel? Here’s the playlist: https://share.epidemicsound.com/htomaz/?playlist=951wwd1mdkw3l0tecx4nik3fccklzbva It’s from Epidemic Sound. If you want to download it or if you have a channel and want access to all their music, sign up through this link and get a free trial for one week - https://share.epidemicsound.com/htomaz If you talk Spanish or understand it better than English, visit my Spanish Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@victorA320 This Isn’t How You’re Supposed to Fly a 747: Olympic Airways 411 - One of the Most Improbable Flights in Aviation History