The CRUX: True Survival Stories

• Plane Disintegrated Midair: Juliane Koepcke Falls Two Miles Into the Amazon | E201

  On December 24th, 1971, 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke boarded LANSA Flight 508 with her mother Maria, bound for a Christmas reunion with her father in the Peruvian Amazon. What should have been a routine one-hour flight became one of aviation's most catastrophic disasters—and one of its most miraculous survival stories. When lightning struck the aircraft at 21,000 feet, the plane disintegrated mid-air. Juliane fell nearly two miles through the sky, still strapped to her seat, and somehow survived the impact with the jungle canopy below. She was the sole survivor among 92 people. But survival was just the beginning. Injured, nearly blind without her glasses, and wearing only a mini-dress and one sandal, Juliane spent 11 days navigating the Amazon rainforest alone. With a broken collarbone, deep arm wound, torn knee ligament, and severe concussion, she drew on lessons learned from her zoologist parents to find her way to rescue. This is a story about preparation meeting catastrophe, about knowledge becoming instinct, and about the thin line between miracle and tragedy. 00:00 Introduction to Case Knives 00:31 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 00:55 Celebrating 200 Episodes 01:23 Revisiting Julianne Koepcke's Survival Story 02:21 The Plane Crash 04:15 Julianne's Background and Upbringing 08:43 The Fateful Flight 17:09 Julianne's Miraculous Fall 26:10 Surviving the Jungle 28:43 Julianne's Immediate Reaction and Isolation 29:15 The Terrifying Reality of the Amazon 30:35 Survival Odds and Strategies 31:56 Julianne's Remarkable Composure 34:34 Navigating the Jungle 35:01 Jungle Dangers and Misconceptions 39:06 The Real Killers in the Jungle 42:44 Julianne's Journey to Rescue 53:53 The Aftermath and Julianne's Legacy 57:20 Conclusion and Listener Engagement Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ References: "LANSA Flight 508." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LANSA_Flight_508 "Juliane Koepcke." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliane_Koepcke Koepcke, Juliane. "Juliane Koepcke: How I Survived a Plane Crash." BBC, March 24, 2012. Pleitgen, Frederik. "Survivor still haunted by 1971 air crash." CNN, July 2, 2009. https://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/02/germany.aircrash.survivor/ Herzog, Werner. Wings of Hope (Documentary). 1998. Koepcke, Juliane. When I Fell From the Sky (German: Als ich vom Himmel fiel). Piper Verlag, 2011. "How Juliane Koepcke Survived the Crash of LANSA Flight 508." HowStuffWorks, March 12, 2024. https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/juliane-koepcke.htm "The Incredible Story Of Juliane Koepcke, The Teenager Who Fell 10,000 Feet Out Of A Plane And Somehow Survived." All That's Interesting, April 28, 2025. https://allthatsinteresting.com/juliane-koepcke "The Story Of Juliane Koepcke: Surviving The Amazon Rainforest." Rainforest Cruises, July 28, 2021. https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/the-story-of-juliane-koepcke "The Incredible Survival Story Of Juliane Koepcke And LANSA Flight 508." Simple Flying, November 15, 2022. https://simpleflying.com/lansa-flight-508-survival-story-juliane-koepcke/ "Her Plane Disintegrated in Mid-Air, and That Was the Easy Part: How This Teen Survived An Impossible Ordeal." Explorersweb, January 16, 2025. https://explorersweb.com/juliane-koepckes-impossible-peruvian-survival/ "Was Teenager Juliane Koepcke the Lone Survivor of a 1971 Plane Crash?" Snopes, April 15, 2021. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/juliane-koepcke-plane-crash/ "Maria Koepcke." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Koepcke "Panguana Research Station." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panguana "Lockheed L-188 Electra." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_L-188_Electra "Amazon Rainforest." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_rainforest "Terminal Velocity and Skydiving." Skydive California. https://www.skydivecalifornia.com "Clavicle Fractures (Broken Collarbone)." OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org "Myiasis: Fly Larva Infestation." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov "Survival in Tropical Rainforest Environments." Adventure Alternative, jungle survival guidelines for Borneo expeditions. "Amazon Basin Biodiversity and Population Density." World Wildlife Fund (WWF). https://www.worldwildlife.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• 10 Days Lost: California Hiker Survives Santa Cruz Mountains Against All Odds | E200

  In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the harrowing ten-day ordeal of Lukas McClish, an experienced hiker who became lost in the fire-ravaged landscape of Big Basin Redwood State Park. Navigating through treacherous terrain transformed by the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, Lukas used his wilderness skills and mental resilience to survive without food, relying on creek water, wild berries, and an extraordinary will to live. The podcast also highlights the massive search and rescue effort involving nearly 300 individuals and drone technology that eventually led to Lukas' miraculous rescue. This story underscores the importance of preparation, mental fortitude, and the unyielding spirit of community support in wilderness survival scenarios. Time Stamps: 00:32 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 00:56 Lukas McClish's Struggle for Survival 03:16 The Start of Lukas' Journey 05:12 Lukas' Unplanned Ordeal 10:56 The Harsh Reality Sets In 20:22 The Search Begins 24:36 Surviving the Santa Cruz Mountains 25:09 Close Calls and Hypothermia 25:26 Desperation and Yelling for Help 26:46 The Search Intensifies 28:07 Challenges of the Burn Scar 30:14 Day 10: A Glimmer of Hope 31:28 The Rescue Operation 34:22 Reunion and Recovery 39:59 Lessons Learned 44:16 Community Support and Reflection 45:49 Conclusion and Gratitude Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ REFERENCES: ABC7 News (KGO-TV San Francisco) - Multiple reports, June 2024 KSBW Salinas - Video interviews and reports, June 2024 Santa Cruz Sentinel - Detailed local coverage, June-July 2024 San Lorenzo Valley Post - In-depth feature with family quotes, July 2024 The New York Times / Seattle Times - Feature story, June 2024 CNN - National coverage, June 2024 CBS News - National coverage, June 2024 NBC News - National coverage, June 2024 GearJunkie / The Inertia - Investigative analysis by Evan Quarnstrom, July 2024 Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office - Official statements and social media posts Cal Fire CZU - Official statements Boulder Creek Fire Department - Official statements Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Catastrophic Dive: Lessons from the Titan Submersible Tragedy | Disaster Strikes E199

  In this episode of the Crux podcast segment 'Disaster Strikes,' hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the harrowing story of the Titan submersible tragedy that occurred on June 18, 2023. The episode recounts the fateful dive that aimed to explore the Titanic's resting place but ended in the instant death of all five passengers due to a catastrophic implosion. The narrative highlights the lives and motivations of the victims, and details the cascade of ignored safety warnings that led to the disaster. Through a thorough examination of the events, this episode underscores the dangerous allure of extreme tourism and the critical importance of adhering to established safety standards in perilous environments. 00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes 00:43 A Tragic Tale Begins 01:56 Meet the Passengers 05:55 Ocean Gate's Ambitious Vision 08:13 Ignored Warnings and Red Flags 13:22 The Fatal Flaws of Titan 17:21 The Power of Marketing and Blind Faith 18:43 The Tragic Dive Begins 20:48 Inside the Titan: Final Moments 23:19 The Desperate Search Effort 25:52 False Hope and Heartbreak 29:25 The Aftermath and Broader Implications 31:14 Lessons Learned from the Titan Tragedy 33:57 Final Thoughts and Reflections references: Primary Sources - Official Investigations: U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation Final Report (August 2025) 327-page comprehensive investigation into the Titan implosion Chairman: Jason Neubauer Available at: U.S. Coast Guard official website National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Investigation (Ongoing as of 2025) Hull failure analysis Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) Investigation Canadian component of international investigation News Media - Major Coverage: NPR - "Coast Guard says Titan submersible deaths were preventable" (August 2025) Coast Guard final report analysis ABC News - "Titan submersible implosion final report critical of CEO's inadequate oversight" (August 2025) David Lochridge whistleblower testimony details NBC News - "Titan submersible disaster that killed 5 people was 'preventable,' Coast Guard report says" (August 2025) By David K. Li and Melissa Chan CBS News - "Titan submersible owner OceanGate used 'intimidation tactics'" (August 2025) Coast Guard findings on regulatory evasion ABC News - "'All good here': Last messages revealed from Titan submersible before implosion" (September 2024) Final communications timeline CNN - "Titanic submersible: Christine Dawood let son take her place on doomed trip" (June 2023) Family interviews and survivor testimony TODAY.com - "Mother Of Suleman Dawood Says She Was Originally Supposed To Go On Titan Sub" (June 2023) Christine Dawood exclusive interview NBC News - "Teen who died on Titanic sub brought Rubik's Cube in bid to break world record" (June 2023) Suleman Dawood profile BBC/CBC News - "19-year-old Titan passenger wanted to break Rubik's Cube world record" (June 2023) Christine Dawood interview about son's goals Comprehensive Reference Sources: Wikipedia - "Titan submersible implosion" Comprehensive timeline and technical details Regularly updated with investigation findings Wikipedia - "Titan (submersible)" Technical specifications and history Encyclopedia Britannica - "Titan submersible implosion" Overview and context Boat International - "US Coast Guard releases report into Titan submersible implosion" (August 2025) Industry expert analysis Documentary Sources: Netflix Documentary - "Titan: The OceanGate Disaster" (June 2025) Director: Mark Monroe Interviews with former employees and whistleblowers Passenger Profiles: Wikipedia - "Hamish Harding" Biography and exploration history Wikipedia - "Shahzada Dawood" Family background and business profile Wikipedia - "Stockton Rush" OceanGate founder biography Wikipedia - "Paul-Henri Nargeolet" Titanic exploration career Technical and Expert Analysis: PBS NewsHour - "Experts say the Titan sub's unconventional design may have destined it for disaster" Engineering analysis Engineering.com - "The Titan Tragedy—A Deep Dive Into Carbon Fiber" Material science analysis SYFY - "Titan Tragedy: James Cameron On Why Design Was 'Horrible Idea'" Expert filmmaker perspective Safety and Whistleblower Reports: TechCrunch - "A whistleblower raised safety concerns about OceanGate's submersible in 2018. Then he was fired" (June 2023) David Lochridge case details CBS News - "Years before Titanic sub went missing, OceanGate was warned about 'catastrophic' safety issues" 2018 industry letter warning Timeline and Search Operation: Al Jazeera - "Titan sub timeline: When did it go missing and other key events" (June 2023) Comprehensive timeline CNN - Live coverage: "Missing Titanic sub crew killed after 'catastrophic implosion'" (June 22, 2023) Real-time search operation coverage Extreme Tourism Context: NationalWorld - "The reasons why the super rich go on extreme expeditions, according to psychologists" Psychology of extreme tourism ScienceDirect - "Exploring the psychology of extended-period expeditionary adventurers" Academic research on adventure psychology Additional Coverage: The Mirror - "Titan submarine victim's wife relives horror after husband and son killed in implosion" Christine Dawood extended interview E! News - "Family of Titanic Sub Passenger Hamish Harding Honors 'Remarkable' Legacy After His Death" Harding family statements Yahoo News - "OceanGate told the woman whose husband and son were on the Titan that comms were often patchy" Christine Dawood waiting experience Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Surviving the Killer Mountain: Three Nights in the Death Zone | E198

  In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into one of mountaineering's most dramatic stories: the 2018 winter ascent of Nanga Parbat by Élisabeth. Revol and Tomasz Mackiewicz. Experience the grueling journey and impossible decisions that unfolded on the 'Killer Mountain.' This episode takes you through the extreme challenges of high-altitude climbing, including Tomasz's severe altitude sickness and Élisabeth's fight for their survival. Learn about the heroic rescue mission led by elite climbers from a nearby K2 expedition and the extraordinary efforts that were mobilized to save Élisabeth. This compelling story highlights the indomitable human spirit and the remarkable will to survive in one of the most hostile environments on Earth. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:30 Setting the Scene: Nanga Parbat 02:10 The Climbers: Élisabeth and Tomash 03:53 The Dangers of Nanga Parbat 06:08 The Summit and the Descent 11:35 The Crisis Unfolds 14:30 The Desperate Descent 17:23 The Rescue Attempt 21:43 Unbelievable Human Endurance 22:26 The Call for Help 23:09 The Rescue Mission Begins 24:43 Helicopter Risks and Challenges 26:16 Night Climb to Save Élisabeth 27:21 Finding Élisabeth 28:21 The Agonizing Decision 30:21 Descent and Evacuation 31:49 Aftermath and Scrutiny 32:19 Medical Perspective on High Altitude Sickness 38:39 The Power of Community and Resilience 39:18 Élisabeth's Recovery and Return to Climbing 41:46 Recognition for the Rescuers 42:28 Final Reflections on Human Capability 43:47 Podcast Closing Remarks Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Primary Sources Book by Elisabeth Revol: Revol, Élisabeth. To Live: Fighting for Life on the Killer Mountain. Translated by Natalie Berry. Vertebrate Publishing, 2020. AlpinistAdventurebooks (Originally published in French as Vivre in 2019) Major News Coverage & Mountaineering Publications Wikipedia Articles: "Élisabeth Revol" - Wikipedia article documenting her mountaineering career and the 2018 Nanga Parbat rescue Wikipedia "Adam Bielecki" - Wikipedia article covering his role in the rescue operation Wikipedia American Alpine Club: AAC Publications - "Nanga Parbat: Second Winter Ascent, First Complete Ascent of Northwest Face, and Rescue" (2018) American Alpine Club Planetmountain.com (extensive coverage): "Nanga Parbat: ordeal ends for Elisabeth Revol!" (January 28, 2018) Planet Mountain "Nanga Parbat, Elisabeth Revol reached by Adam Bielecki and Denis Urubko" (January 27, 2018) Planet Mountain "Drama on Nanga Parbat, fears for Tomek Mackiewicz and Elisabeth Revol" (January 26, 2018) Planet Mountain Other Major Sources: NPR: "After Harrowing Weekend Rescue, One Climber Saved, One Lost To 'Killer Mountain'" (January 29, 2018) NPR France 24: "Rescued French climber recalls horror descent on frozen feet" (February 2, 2018) France 24 UKClimbing.com: "Elisabeth Revol and Tomek Mackiewicz on Nanga Parbat" (2018) UKC News Alpinist Magazine: "Elisabeth Revol's book 'To Live' is an ode to Tomasz Mackiewicz and Nanga Parbat" Alpinist National Geographic: "Meet Denis Urubko and Adam Bielecki, National Geographic 2019 Adventurers of the Year" National Geographic First Winter Ascent of Nanga Parbat (2016) Referenced for context about the first winter ascent: AAC Publications: "Nanga Parbat: First Winter Ascent" (2016) - documenting Simone Moro, Alex Txikon, and Ali Sadpara's achievement American Alpine Club Planetmountain: "Nanga Parbat: summit and first winter ascent by Simone Moro, Ali Sadpara and Alex Txikon" (February 26, 2016) Planet Mountain Awards and Recognition For the rescue team: David A. Sowles Memorial Award 2019 (American Alpine Club) Wikipedia "The Spirit of Mountaineering Commendation" (British Alpine Club, 2018) Wikipedia Legion of Honour (France's highest civilian distinction) Wikipedia National Geographic 2019 Adventurers of the Year (Bielecki and Urubko) National Geographic Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Floating in 90-Foot Waves Without a Life Raft: The La Conte Fishing Vessel Tragedy in Alaska | E197

  This episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosted by medical professionals Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen dives into the harrowing account of the fishing vessel La Conte, which sank in the Gulf of Alaska on January 30th, 1998. The vessel, carrying five experienced fishermen, met its fate in one of the worst storms in Alaska's history. The lack of a life raft, combined with extreme weather conditions and the vessel's age, led to a catastrophic series of events. The crew's ordeal of surviving in 38-degree water in survival suits under hurricane-force winds is recounted in gripping detail. The podcast highlights the extraordinary efforts of three Coast Guard helicopter crews who braved impossible conditions to rescue three of the five men, making it one of the most challenging maritime rescues ever attempted. This story serves as a stark reminder of the ocean's unforgiving nature and the critical importance of proper safety equipment. Timestamps- 00:31 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 00:55 Setting the Scene: A Nightmarish Survival Situation 02:49 The Sinking of the Fishing Vessel 04:09 The Fairweather Grounds: Dangerous Waters 05:18 The La Conte: An Aging Vessel 06:36 The Crew's Desperate Last Run 08:09 The Storm Intensifies 10:27 Abandoning Ship: Into the Freezing Waters 15:54 The Coast Guard's Harrowing Rescue Attempt 23:14 Desperate Attempts at Rescue 26:38 The Final Hope: Third Helicopter Crew 27:14 A Race Against Time and Hypothermia 29:48 The Heart-Wrenching Choices 32:57 The Aftermath and Investigation 40:31 Lessons Learned from the Tragedy 44:44 Conclusion and Reflections Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ References-  Alaska Shipwrecks Database - La Conte entry with crew information and incident details (alaskashipwreck.com) "Coming Back Alive" by Spike Walker - Detailed account based on survivor interviews "The Last Run" by Todd Lewan - Associated Press investigative report and book U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Information Exchange records Daily Sitka Sentinel, February 3, 1998 - "CG to Investigate Why Boat Didn't Have Raft" NOAA Storm Data, January 1998 - Gulf of Alaska weather conditions Coast Guard Aviation History archives - Rescue mission documentation Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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