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Watch S1, EP1: Invisible Killer for $0 Today

TV14HDAir Disasters1hSmithsonian Channel

During a storm, a strong gale slams Delta Airlines Flight 191 to the ground killing most people on board.

Original Air Date: May 15, 2011

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Available on demand
Tue, Apr 8, 6:00 AM

More episodes

S1, EP8 "Mixed Signals"
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S1, EP8 "Mixed Signals"

Conflicting alarms confuse pilots of Birgenair Flight 301 before it crashes into the ocean with no survivors.

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S7, EP9 "Vertigo"
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S7, EP9 "Vertigo"

On January 3, 2004, Flash Airlines Flight 604 banks to the right just after takeoff and crashes into the Red Sea, killing all 148 people on board.

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S21, EP3 "Blown Apart"
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S21, EP3 "Blown Apart"

Partnair Flight 394 loses control, breaks up in mid-air and crashes into the North Sea; the aircraft's vertical stabilizer vibrates loose during flight due to excessive wear on substandard bolts, sleeves and pins that have been illegally sold.

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S9, EP8 "Steep Impact"
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S9, EP8 "Steep Impact"

When the crash of a commuter plane in Georgia killed a NASA astronaut, a four-term U.S. senator and 21 others, the disaster grabbed headlines around the world.

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S21, EP6 "Falling Fast"

S21, EP6 "Falling Fast"

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

S21, EP5 "Operation Babylift"

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.

S21, EP4 "Sight Unseen"

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: Adam Gaudreau, Andrew Gillies, Bill Lake, Brad Austin, Brad Borbridge, Brandon Coffey, Bruce Beaton, Caden Douglas, Carinne Leduc, Carlos Gonzalez-Vio, Christian Lloyd, Christina Song, Clinton Lee Pontes, Conrad Coates, Courtenay Stevens, Craig Eldridge, Damir Andrei, Daniel Falk, Daniel Giverin, Daniel Kash, Darryl Flatman, David Guthrie, David Storch, Denis Akiyama, Dom Fiore, Dorothy Atabong, Edgar George, Edsson Morales, Eric Craig, Frank Nakashima, Godfrey Giocada, Grace Armas, Hannah Cheesman, Harry Judge, Ho "Oyster" Chow, Jack Grinhaus, James Chung, James Madge, Jamie Spilchuk, Jason Faulkner, Jean-Michel Le Gal, Jeanie Calleja, Jeff Sinasac, Jerry Getty, Jim Annan, Jimi Shlag, Joanne Boland, Joel Rinzler, Joey Belfiore, Johnathan Sousa, Jon De Leon, Jonathan Aris, Jonathan Shatzky, Kameron Louangxay, Kevin Bundy, Kordo Doski, Kris Saric, Luke Marty, Manuel Verreydt, Marc Devigne, Martin Sims, Merle Newell, Michael Coady, Michael Goldlist, Michael Reventar, Niamh Carolan, Nicola Corriea-Damude, Noah Davis, Oliver Dawson, Patrick Galligan, Peter Nelson, Peter Pasyk, Richard Harte, Richard Tse, Riel Paley, Robert B. Kennedy, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Rowan Vickers, Ryan Hollyman, Samy Osman, Sarah Slywchuk, Sean Baek, Shauna Bradley, Stephen Sparks, Steven Gallagher, Steven Pigozzo, Stuart Clow, Thom Marriott, Thomas Hauff, Tim Funnel, Toby Proctor, Tre Smith, Tufford Kennedy, Tyler McMaster, Vincent Bellon, Von Flores
Original Air Date: May 15, 2011
Genres: DocuseriesTV Series
Rating: TV14
Playback: HD
20 seasons available on demand
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