Air Disasters
“The disaster is only the beginning of the story.”
Documentary
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.
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Seasons & episodes
S1 · 10 epS2 · 12 epS3 · 11 epS4 · 13 epS5 · 11 epS6 · 10 epS7 · 10 epS8 · 10 epS9 · 10 epS10 · 10 epS11 · 10 epS12 · 10 epS13 · 10 epS14 · 10 epS15 · 10 epS16 · 10 epS17 · 10 epS18 · 24 epS19 · 10 epS20 · 30 epS21 · 8 epS22 · 10 epS23 · 6 epS24 · 10 epS25 · 11 ep
1Invisible Killer15 May 2011 · 45mOn Aug 2, 1985 — Delta Air Lines Flight 191 (L-1011): On approach to Dallas/Fort Worth in stormy weather, the jet suddenly plunges short of the runway. Investigators race to uncover what brought it down.
2Gimli Glider22 May 2011 · 45mOn Jul 23, 1983 — Air Canada Flight 143 (Boeing 767): Halfway from Montreal to Edmonton, a brand-new airliner runs completely out of fuel at 41,000 feet, leaving the crew to attempt the impossible.
3Behind Closed Doors29 May 2011 · 45mOn Jun 12, 1972 & Mar 3, 1974 — American Airlines Flight 96 & Turkish Airlines Flight 981 (DC-10s): Two DC-10s suffer sudden decompressions in flight, two years apart. Investigators probe whether the incidents are connected.
4Fanning the Flames5 Jun 2011 · 45mOn Nov 28, 1987 — South African Airways Flight 295 (Boeing 747 Combi): En route from Taipei to Johannesburg, the cabin fills with smoke over the Indian Ocean, launching one of the deepest wreckage recoveries ever attempted.
5Dead Weight12 Jun 2011 · 45mOn Jan 8, 2003 — Air Midwest Flight 5481 (Beechcraft 1900D): Seconds after takeoff from Charlotte, a commuter flight pitches out of control. Investigators search for answers in the smallest details.
6Southern Storm26 Jun 2011 · 45mOn Apr 4, 1977 — Southern Airways Flight 242 (DC-9): A flight through severe Georgia thunderstorms leaves the crew battling to keep their crippled jet aloft with nowhere to land.
7Explosive Evidence10 Jul 2011 · 45mOn Jun 23, 1985 — Air India Flight 182 (Boeing 747): A jumbo jet vanishes from radar over the Atlantic near Ireland, triggering an investigation that spans continents.
8Mixed Signals17 Jul 2011 · 45mOn Feb 6, 1996 — Birgenair Flight 301 (Boeing 757): Moments after a night takeoff from the Dominican Republic, the crew is confronted by baffling and contradictory instrument readings.
9Fatal Distraction24 Jul 2011 · 45mOn Dec 29, 1972 — Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 (L-1011): On a clear night approach to Miami, a state-of-the-art jet descends unnoticed into the Everglades. Investigators must explain how.
10Phantom Strike31 Jul 2011 · 45mOn Sep 29, 2006 — Gol Flight 1907 (Boeing 737) & Embraer Legacy: Two aircraft cross paths high above the Amazon, and investigators must piece together how modern technology failed to keep them apart.
Details
- Created by
- André Barro, Bernard Vaillot
- First aired
- 15 May 2011
- Last aired
- 13 Sept 2026
- Status
- Returning Series
- Language
- English
- Network
- Smithsonian Channel
- Episodes
- 286
- Votes
- 16 on TMDB
Where to watch (US)
fuboTV
Paramount Plus Premium
Paramount Plus Essential
Philo
Paramount Plus Apple TV channel
Paramount+ Amazon Channel
YouTube TV
Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
The Roku Channel
Cast
Stephen BogaertNarrator
