The Ramstein Air Show Disaster

There are two pieces of interesting trivia that I want to share about this disaster, neither of which really fit into the video.

The connection with the band Rammstein

The first is that the heavy metal band Rammstein chose their name because of this disaster. When they first met they didn't really have a name - they'd just get together to play music. One of the songs they would play was this one, which features some (very metal) lyrics inspired by the Ramstein Disaster:

"Rammstein

A sea of flames

Rammstein

Blood is coagulating on the asphalt

Rammstein

Mothers are screaming

Rammstein

The sun is shining"

As they grew in popularity, people started referring to them as "the band with the Ramstein song" and then as "the Ramstein band". It wasn't long before they adopted the name for themselves... although they added an extra M when they did so. 

In later years, they've started distancing themselves from any connection to the disaster, saying instead that they picked their name because it means "Ramming Stone". Looking at these early lyrics though it's hard to believe that there was no connection at all.

The Emergency: Fighters for Life video game

This disaster actually made it into a video game. Emergency: Fighters for Life was a game released in 1998. It puts you in charge of the emergency services as they try to tackle various disasters.

Level 22 sees you dealing with a "plane crash at an air show" which bears many similarities to the Ramstein Air Show Crash. 

To be successful you have to complete several tasks, including despatching a police officer to disperse "rubberneckers", sending a helicopter to pick up casualties, using fire trucks to extinguish ground fires, and evacuating an injured pilot.

Apparently the game features a number of scenarios based on real disasters. I'm going to look into getting hold of a copy and playing through. I'm not sure I'd be much good at it, but I think it'd be an educational experience just to try!