The Odyssey of Flight 33 - S2-E18
Continuity mistake: When the plane first descends, the headphones that the radio controller is wearing keep moving from his neck to head.
The Odyssey of Flight 33 - S2-E18
Continuity mistake: When the jet is preparing to land in 1939 New York City, the view of the crew from the back of the cabin forward shows the airliner captain wearing his headphones, but the next instant close up of him shows him not wearing the headphones.
The Odyssey of Flight 33 - S2-E18
Continuity mistake: The radio operator's hand is gripping a bar behind the airliner captain, then in the next shot it's not.
The Odyssey of Flight 33 - S2-E18
Continuity mistake: There are three scenes of the jet flying above a thin layer of clouds. The same piece of footage is used each time.
Answer: It's explained in the episode. The aliens are experimenting to see how humans react to various scenarios. This just happens to involve them using super strength.
Thanks. It's been a long time since I saw the episode so I forgot.