Thunderbirds/Recap/S1 E12 Operation Crash Dive

A Fireflash aircraft crashes, with the loss of all hands - not least because the position given by the flight crew is considerably inaccurate. The entire fleet is grounded, but repeated tests fail to identify the cause of the accident. Determined to track the problem, a test flight is made, and an identical problem occurs. This time, International Rescue are on the scene and cut the massive engines away from the craft, allowing it to rise to the surface.

Continued, thorough tests fail to locate the problem, and International Rescue are called to assist. With the highly-trained Scott Tracy as co-pilot and with Thunderbird 2 flying alongside, a second test flight is made. The same critical failures occur, but this time Gordon Tracy is able to enter Fireflash's wing compartment and attempt repairs. There, he discovers the terrifying truth about the Fireflash crashes...


 * Continuity Nod: The episode constantly references Trapped in the Sky, the first episode. Several characters from that epsode return.
 * Up to Eleven: Thunderbird 2, the biggest Thunderbird, is utterly dwarfed next to the Fireflash.
 * What the Hell, Hero?: Not only does International Rescue not launch to save the first fireflash they don't even bother to radio the search and resuce teams to let them know they're looking in the wrong place.