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TV14HDAir Disasters1hSmithsonian Channel

The 2000 crash of an Alaska Airlines plane just off the California coast leads to a disturbing discovery about the company's cost-cutting procedures.

The 2000 crash of an Alaska Airlines plane just off the California coast leads to a disturbing discovery about the company's cost-cutting procedures.

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Air Disasters

S5, EP9 "Getting Out Alive"

Air accident survival stories; keeping passengers and crews alive when disaster strikes.

Air Disasters

S1, EP2 "Gimli Glider"

A pilot heads for a decommissioned air force base when the Boeing 767 jet he is flying unexpectedly runs out of fuel.

Air Disasters

S12, EP7 "Free Fall"

A computer glitch causes a highly automated Qantas Airways flight to nearly fall out of the sky; Australian investigators must find the cause before it happens again.

Air Disasters

"Sabotage"

From delusional hijackers to suicidal pilots, three flights fall victim to astonishing acts of sabotage.

Air Disasters

S21, EP6 "Falling Fast"

Investigators discover a shocking mistake when pilots must ditch their plane in the Mediterranean, killing 14 of the 34 passengers.

Air Disasters

S21, EP5 "Operation Babylift"

A United States Air Force transport aircraft conducting the inaugural flight of Operation Babylift suffers an explosive decompression when the rear cargo door fails and crashes into a paddy field while attempting an emergency landing.

Air Disasters

S21, EP4 "Sight Unseen"

Saudi Airways and Kazakhstan Airlines jets hit each other at 14,000 feet sending both planes spiraling to the ground.

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.
Starring: Carlos Gonzalez-Vio, Curtis Caravaggio, Edsson Morales, Godfrey Giocada, Jim Annan, Jonathan Aris, Jonathan Shatzky, Martin Sims, Roger Doche, Samy Osman, Sarah Slywchuk, Shauna Bradley, Steven Pigozzo, Thom Marriott, Tim Funnel
Original Air Date: May 15, 2011
Genres: DocuseriesTV Series
Rating: TV14
Playback: HD
19 seasons available on demand
Available on

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Air 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.

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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.

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A look at some of the most catastrophic aviation incidents in history that have led to safer systems being developed.

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