The disaster is only the beginning of the story.
Catastrophic incidents in aviation history are meticulously reenacted, providing insight into what went wrong and if the crashes and near-disasters could have been prevented. Accounts from survivors combine with cockpit recordings and computer images to weave the gripping tales, and expert testimony reveals the hows and whys behind the events, some of which have resulted in important changes to aviation safety and regulations.
CreatorsAndré Barro, Bernard Vaillot
Next episode
August 23, 2026
Invisible Killer
May 15, 2011
A landing goes wrong when Delta Airlines Flight 191 is hit by an invisible force.
Gimli Glider
May 22, 2011
A pilot heads for a decommissioned air force base when the 767 he is flying runs out of fuel.
Behind Closed Doors
May 29, 2011
A flaw on the infamous DC-10 airline causing two midair crashes in the early 70's.
Fanning the Flames
Jun 5, 2011
A recovery operation is launched to find out if a 747 was carrying illegal weapons.
Dead Weight
Jun 12, 2011
Just after take-off, Air Midwest Flight 5481 plummets to the ground, killing all on board.
Southern Storm
Jun 26, 2011
In 1977, Southern Airways Flight 242 finds itself in a violent storm. When both engines fail, the pilots must land their plane on a rural Georgia highway.
Explosive Evidence
Jul 10, 2011
Air India Flight 182 crashes into the sea after an explosion. Was it a tragic accident or an act of terrorism?
Mixed Signals
Jul 17, 2011
Conflicting alarms confuse pilots of Birgenair Flight 301 before it crashes into the ocean.
Fatal Distraction
Jul 24, 2011
Pilots try to determine why both landing-gear lights do not function on an L-1011.
Phantom Strike
Jul 31, 2011
A Legacy business jet collides with a Boeing 737 in mid-air over the Amazon Rain Forest.
