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A look at three deadly air disasters that are caused by misunderstandings between pilots and air traffic controllers.
A look at three deadly air disasters that are caused by misunderstandings between pilots and air traffic controllers.
More episodes
Air Disasters
S20, EP26 "Frozen Wings"The consequences are disastrous when ice forms on an airplane's wings; three planes are brought down by ice, and it's up to investigators to determine how modern aircraft could possibly end up with frozen wings.
Air Disasters
S19, EP6 "Cockpit Catastrophe"The cockpit window of an Airbus A319 explodes; pilots miraculously land the out-of-control plane; investigators must determine how the freshly serviced aircraft was released with a fatal flaw.
Air Disasters
S15, EP8 "No Warning"Investigators must figure out why the safety systems of a turboprop plane failed to prevent a crash into an Indonesian mountain.
Air Disasters
S14, EP6 "Killer in the Cockpit?"A look at the commercial flights that ended in disaster because of suspected murder-suicide.
Air Disasters
S25, EP1 "Pacific Ditching"Just after takeoff from Honolulu, TransAir Flight 810 loses power and ditches in the Pacific. Both pilots survive, blaming dual engine failure — but when the Boeing 737 is recovered, the wreckage reveals a different cause behind it.
More aviation shows
See allAir Disasters
Statistically, traveling by airplane is safer than driving and other forms of transportation, but when something goes wrong during a flight, it can be catastrophic with potentially hundreds of lives at stake. This series examines some of the world's worst air disasters, using official reports, transcripts and interviews with people involved to tell the stories of midair mishaps and discover what went wrong in each case. Episodes include a discussion of how the weather affects flights -- including stories of aviation disasters and near-misses -- and a New Year's Eve flight that fell from the sky into the Florida Everglades.
Ice Airport Alaska
A chronicle of the daily challenges of the airport staff who manage to keep the facility open, freight flowing and passengers flying all despite weather that regularly dips to -36 degrees and wind speeds that typically exceed 100 mph.
Mighty Planes
Discovery's popular "Mighty" franchise ("Mighty Ships") continues with "Mighty Planes," which takes to the skies and explores the most impressive aircraft in the world. Each episode highlights one incredible plane, from the world's only flying eye hospital to the largest passenger jet ever built, as it takes on a high-stakes mission from beginning to end. "Mighty Planes" brings viewers unprecedented access to the planet's most impressive aircraft with in-depth looks at the science of aviation and the lives of the people responsible for making it all happen.
Air Crash Investigation
Catastrophic incidents in aviation history are meticulously re-enacted, 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.