Part 8/9:
In an unprecedented feat, Captain Pearson successfully managed to land the aircraft on the strip, albeit with severe limitations: no engine power, flaps, or fully functional landing gear. As the aircraft touched down, the main tires burst, and a fire broke out due to the nose scraping against the ground. Nevertheless, through remarkable piloting skills and a bit of luck, both crew and passengers emerged from the airplane without injury.
The incident, later dubbed the "Gimli Glider" because of its safe landing at the decommissioned military base, marked a turning point for fuel management practices in aviation. Investigations revealed the flaws in communication and established procedures exacerbating the chances of miscalculations in fuel efficiency.