Why Planes Crash

Exploring terrifying airplane disasters, beginning with a look at why pilots risk ditching in water, and a hijacked 767 that was forced into the ocean.

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Accidents: US Airways Flight 1549, ALM Flight 980, Garuda Indonesia Flight 421, Tuninter Flight 1153, Pan Am Flight 6, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961

A gripping look at how engines and structures have failed in flight, including how nine passengers were sucked out of a 747 when a cargo door exploded over the Pacific.

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Accidents: Aloha Airlines Flight 243, American Airlines Flight 191, United Airlines Flight 811, Japan Airlines Flight 123

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Note: The episode also mentions the crash of Northwest Airlines Flight 255 and Continental Airlines Flight 1713.

Instances of human error that resulted in plane crashes are examined. Included: a 737 hits a small turboprop on a runway; an Airbus 300 crashes after its tail breaks off; an L-1011 jumbo jet plunges into the Everglades; a jet slams into a hillside; a commuter-plane mishap over a Buffalo suburb.

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Accidents: 1991 Los Angeles airport runway collision, Colgan Air Flight 3407, American Airlines Flight 587, Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, Avianca Flight 52

Instances of onboard fires are examined. Included: a DC-9 crashes into the Everglades after a fire causes the pilots to lose control; an MD-11 crashes after smoke fills the cockpit; a DC-9 loses its electrical systems two hours into a flight; a flame-engulfed plane crashes into a hotel.

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Accidents: Swissair Flight 111, Air France Flight 4590, ValuJet Flight 592, Air Canada Flight 797

Examining collisions between planes. Included: a corporate jet and a 737 collide while 37,000 feet above the Amazon; a DC-8 tears into the fuselage of a Lockheed Constellation a mile above New York City; a 727 slams into a Cessna above San Diego; and near L.A., a small plane smashes into a DC-9.

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Accidents: 2006 Mato Grosso mid-air collision, 1960 New York mid-air collision, 1978 San Diego mid-air collision, 1986 Cerritos mid-air collision

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Note: The episode also mentions the Grand Canyon mid-air collision, 1967 Hendersonville mid-air collision and 1973 Nantes mid-air collision.

Season 2 begins with a look at cockpit communication and how it improved with the implementation of Crew Resource Management (CRM) in 1979.

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Accidents: United Airlines Flight 173, United Airlines Flight 232, Korean Air Flight 801

Plane-crash survivors recall their frightening experiences.

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Accidents: Air Florida Flight 90, Downeast Flight 46, 2012 Cessna 401 accident

The effects of storms, high winds and microbursts on planes are examined.

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Accidents: Southern Airways Flight 242, Delta Air Lines Flight 191, Air France Flight 358

Hazards posed to small planes, including bad weather, poor visibility and distractions, are examined.

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Accidents: John F. Kennedy Jr. plane crash, 2006 New York City plane crash, 1996 Cessna 177B crash

A look at terrible crashes that can result from planes veering off course or poor visibility.

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Accidents: Air New Zealand Flight 901, American Airlines Flight 965, Air Inter Flight 148

A look at helicopters highlights their uses for rescues and rapid responses, but also examines the unique set of dangers involved in their operation.

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Accidents: 2002 USAF Pavehawk rescue accident, 2009 Hudson River mid-air collision, 2008 Sikorsky S-61N crash

Plane crashes that resulted from automation failures are spotlighted.

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Accidents: Air France Flight 447, China Airlines Flight 006, Turkish Airlines Flight 1951

A look at three accidents and how they led to changes in the aviation industry.

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Accidents: USAir Flight 427, United Airlines Flight 585. TWA Flight 800, 2002 Überlingen mid-air collision