Why Planes Crash
| Why Planes Crash | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) |
|
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 42–47 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | Weather Channel |
| Original release | July 12, 2009 – February 2, 2015 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Why Planes Crash was an aviation documentary TV mini-series based on aircraft accidents and crashes. The show premiered on July 12, 2009.
Originally run on The Weather Channel it was narrated by Lester Holt and was discontinued in early 2015.
Plot
In every episode normally three accidents would be discussed. Over the 43 minute program aviation experts would discuss the events and what caused or led up to the crash. The show also featured state-of-the-art recreations and visuals to show what occurred during the accident.[1]
In most all of the episodes a survivor or survivors would explain what they experienced during the accident.
Episodes
Season 1
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Brace for Impact" | TBA | TBA | July 12, 2009 | N/A |
|
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. Accidents: ALM Flight 980, US Airways Flight 1549, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961, Pan Am Flight 6 | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Breaking Point" | TBA | TBA | January 17, 2010 | N/A |
|
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. Accidents: Aloha Airlines Flight 243, American Airlines Flight 191, United Airlines Flight 811, Japan Airlines Flight 123 | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Human Error" | TBA | TBA | November 21, 2010 | N/A |
|
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. Accidents: Los Angeles runway disaster, Colgan Air Flight 3407, American Airlines Flight 587, Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 Avianca Flight 52 | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Fire in the Sky" | TBA | TBA | November 28, 2010 | N/A |
|
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. Accidents: Swissair Flight 111, Air France Flight 4590, ValuJet Flight 592, Air Canada Flight 797 | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Collision Course" | TBA | TBA | April 27, 2013 | N/A |
|
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. Accidents: Gol Transportes Aéreos Flight 1907, 1960 New York mid-air collision, PSA Flight 182, 1986 Cerritos mid-air collision | ||||||
Season 2
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 1 | "Crisis in the Sky" | TBA | TBA | December 15, 2014 | N/A |
|
Season 2 begins with a look at cockpit communication and how it improved with the implementation of Crew Resource Management (CRM) in 1979. Accidents: United Airlines Flight 173 United Airlines Flight 232, Korean Air Flight 801 | ||||||
| 7 | 2 | "Brush With Death" | TBA | TBA | December 22, 2014 | N/A |
|
Plane-crash survivors recall their frightening experiences. Accidents: Air Florida Flight 90, Downeast Flight 46, 2012 Cessna 401 accident | ||||||
| 8 | 3 | "Severe Weather" | TBA | TBA | December 29, 2014 | N/A |
|
The effects of storms, high winds and microbursts on planes are examined. Accidents: Southern Airways Flight 242, Delta Air Lines Flight 191, Air France Flight 358 | ||||||
| 9 | 4 | "Small Planes, Big Problem" | TBA | TBA | January 4, 2015 | N/A |
|
Hazards posed to small planes, including bad weather, poor visibility and distractions, are examined. Accidents: John F. Kennedy Jr. plane crash, 2006 New York City plane crash, 1996 Cessna 177B crash | ||||||
| 10 | 5 | "Sudden Impact" | TBA | TBA | January 5, 2015 | N/A |
|
A look at terrible crashes that can result from planes veering off course or poor visibility. Accidents: Air New Zealand Flight 901, American Airlines Flight 965, Air Inter Flight 148 | ||||||
| 11 | 6 | "Chopper Down" | TBA | TBA | January 12, 2015 | N/A |
|
A look at helicopters highlights their uses for rescues and rapid responses, but also examines the unique set of dangers involved in their operation. Accidents: 2002 USAF Pavehawk rescue accident, 2009 Hudson River mid-air collision, 2008 Sikorsky S-61N crash | ||||||
| 12 | 7 | "Who’s Flying" | TBA | TBA | January 19, 2015 | N/A |
|
Plane crashes that resulted from automation failures are spotlighted. Accidents: Air France Flight 447, China Airlines Flight 006, Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 | ||||||
| 13 | 8 | "Fatal Flaws" | TBA | TBA | January 20, 2015 | N/A |
|
A look at three accidents and how they led to changes in the aviation industry. Accidents: USAir Flight 427, TWA Flight 800, 2002 Überlingen mid-air collision | ||||||
| 14 | 9 | "Crisis in the Cockpit" | TBA | TBA | February 2, 2015 | N/A |
| The Crew Resource Management protocol is explained. Prior to it being implemented, crew members wouldn't challenge the captain even on occasions when they thought he was wrong. | ||||||
References
- ↑ "Why Planes Crash - TWC - iMDb". iMDb.com. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
External links
- Why Planes Crash on The Weather Channel website.