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Quiz about Mayday Mayday
Quiz about Mayday Mayday

Mayday! Mayday! Trivia Quiz


The word 'mayday' is a code word used internationally in life-threatening situations. This quiz tests players' knowledge of the term and several maritime and aviation disasters. Best of luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by Triviaballer. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Triviaballer
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
314,845
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
1975
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 3 (7/10), Guest 90 (7/10), Guest 8 (3/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. The distress call 'mayday' should not be confused with the public holiday 'May Day'. From which language was the term 'mayday' derived? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. How many times should the word mayday be spoken at the beginning of a distress call? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. In the event that radio communication is unavailable, what mayday distress code should be entered on an aircraft's transponder? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The distress call mayday was invented in 1923 by Frederick Stanley Mockford. What city's Croydon Airport did Mockford work for when he originated the term 'mayday'? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The term mayday should only be used when there is grave and imminent danger to life. What other term should be spoken in situations that aren't life-threatening? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What airline suffered a horrific accident on June 1, 2009 when Flight 447 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean killing 228 people? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. In 1974 Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed in a forested area of France resulting in the death of 346 people. What part of the plane detached in the accident resulting in an explosive decompression? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What passenger ferry's fire and resulting sinking did Philippine President Corazon Aquino call "a national tragedy of harrowing proportions" in 1987? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In what body of water did the RMS Empress of Ireland collide with the SS Storstad on May 29, 1914? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which of the following would carry the most severe penalty in regards to a mayday call? Hint



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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The distress call 'mayday' should not be confused with the public holiday 'May Day'. From which language was the term 'mayday' derived?

Answer: French

When translated from its French derivation, 'mayday' literally means 'help me' ('m'aider', shortened from 'venez m'aider - 'come, help me').
2. How many times should the word mayday be spoken at the beginning of a distress call?

Answer: Three

The correct way to begin the distress call would be to say mayday three times, the name of the vessel or aircraft three times and then mayday and the name of the distressed vessel/aircraft once again. After that the position and situation are given to better assist the rescue team's preparation.
3. In the event that radio communication is unavailable, what mayday distress code should be entered on an aircraft's transponder?

Answer: 7700

Using a transponder for communication by aircraft is often referred to as 'squawking'. Other distress codes include 7500 which is used in the case of a hijacking and 7600 when communications have been lost.
4. The distress call mayday was invented in 1923 by Frederick Stanley Mockford. What city's Croydon Airport did Mockford work for when he originated the term 'mayday'?

Answer: London

Mockford selected a word that was derived from a French term because a large part of the air traffic at the time was between London and Paris. The word 'mayday' was chosen because it's easily understood by pilots and emergency staff.
5. The term mayday should only be used when there is grave and imminent danger to life. What other term should be spoken in situations that aren't life-threatening?

Answer: Pan-pan

The distress call pan-pan gave rise to the backronym 'possible assistance needed'. Instances in which pan-pan may be used are when a vessel is running out of fuel or lost.
6. What airline suffered a horrific accident on June 1, 2009 when Flight 447 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean killing 228 people?

Answer: Air France

Air France Flight 447 left from Rio de Janeiro's Galeão International Airport and was supposed to arrive at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is believed that the plane crashed after experiencing 12 minutes of turbulence and severe thunderstorms.
7. In 1974 Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crashed in a forested area of France resulting in the death of 346 people. What part of the plane detached in the accident resulting in an explosive decompression?

Answer: Cargo door

The explosion resulting from the detachment of the cargo door caused the cargo area's floor to collapse which in turn cut several of the control cables. This caused the pilots to lose control of the aircraft's rudder and its second engine.
8. What passenger ferry's fire and resulting sinking did Philippine President Corazon Aquino call "a national tragedy of harrowing proportions" in 1987?

Answer: MV Doņa Paz

The MV Doņa Paz collided with the oil tanker MT vector on December 20, 1987 in the Tablas Strait of the Philippines. The crash resulted in a fire that is believed to have caused the death of more than 4,000 people.
9. In what body of water did the RMS Empress of Ireland collide with the SS Storstad on May 29, 1914?

Answer: Saint Lawrence River

Due to a heavy fog in the area, the Norwegian collier Storstad crashed into the Empress of Ireland's starboard side causing water to overflow on to the ship and drown many of its passengers. A total of 1,012 people died in the collision making it one of Canada's worst maritime disasters.
10. Which of the following would carry the most severe penalty in regards to a mayday call?

Answer: Making a hoax mayday call.

Mayday calls precipitate a search-and-rescue operation from response personnel which are usually very costly and dangerous. Thus, hoax mayday calls carry very severe penalties. In the United States a hoax mayday call is a federal crime that can result in a six year incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000.
Source: Author Triviaballer

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
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