Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.
Mayday (Season 1)
Racing the storm 6.5
Air date: 2003-09-03
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: On June 1, 1999, American Airlines Flight 1420 tries to land at the Little Rock National Airport during a storm, but overruns the runway, killing eleven people.
Unlocking Disaster 7.0
Air date: 2003-09-10
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: On February 24, 1989, United Airlines Flight 811 is flying above the Pacific Ocean, when part of the right-side fuselage is ripped off, ejecting nine people from the aircraft and causing explosive decompression. The flight later lands safely at Honolulu without any more loss of life.
Flying Blind 7.3
Air date: 2003-09-17
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: On October 2, 1996, shortly after take off, the crew of Aeroperú Flight 603 is confused by false speed and altitude readings and contradictory warnings from the aircraft's air data system. In preparation for an emergency landing, the crew descends the aircraft, but unknowingly descend too far by relying on the false readings. The Boeing 757 crashes into the water, killing everyone on board.
Flying on Empty 7.3
Air date: 2003-10-08
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: On August 24, 2001, Air Transat Flight 236 runs out of fuel while flying over the Atlantic Ocean. The pilots of the aircraft glide it to a safe landing on a runway at a naval base on an island in the Azores.
Cutting Corners 8.5
Air date: 2003-10-15
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: On January31, 2000, Alaska Airlines Flight 261's trimmable horizontal stabilizer jams and breaks free from its control system. The aircraft dives inverted into the Pacific Ocean, causing the death of all 88 on board.
Fire on Board 8.0
Air date: 2003-10-22
Runtime: 45 min
Overview: On September 2, 1998, a fire breaks out on Swissair Flight 111 while in-flight, damaging vital systems and causing the aircraft to crash into the sea off Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, with no survivors.
Seasons
Episodes 6
Episodes 6
Episodes 13
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 3
Episodes 8
Episodes 2
Episodes 8
Episodes 6
Episodes 13
Episodes 13
Episodes 10
Episodes 11
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 10
Episodes 53