tvcal
Air Disasters

Air Disasters

The disaster is only the beginning of the story.

2011Returning SeriesNext: Feb 2224 Seasons274 Episodes8.2TMDB
Smithsonian Channel

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.

Created by: André Barro, Bernard Vaillot

Season 23 Episodes

Browse every episode and jump into details.

Episode 1: Pitch Problems

Jun 8, 2025 · 44m

Alaska Airlines 261 nosedives into the Pacific leaving investigators stumped . A rare storm and a deadly design flaw intersect cause American Eagle 4184 to fall from the sky. And, investigators suspect a fatal flaw in the Boeing 737.

Episode 2: Fight to the Finish

Jun 15, 2025 · 44m

Three flight crews face impossible odds: a Boeing 707 loses engines over the Alps as fire spreads, Air Astana 1388 goes out of control over Portugal, and a bomb on PA 434 severs control cables and blasts a hole in the fuselage.

Episode 3: Bad Data

Jun 22, 2025 · 44m

A billion-dollar Stealth Bomber crashes at a U.S. Air Force base—the costliest aviation disaster ever. Bad data misleads a charter flight into a Portuguese mountain, and conflicting alarms send a cutting-edge jetliner plunging into the Atlantic.

Episode 4: Landing Hazards

Jun 29, 2025 · 44m

Martinair 495 crashes on a rain-soaked runway in Portugal, showing how weather can doom a landing. American 1572 hits a storm and loses both engines amid a tower shutdown. And crosswinds challenge an Air France crew already halfway down the runway.

Episode 5: Training Ignored

Jul 6, 2025 · 44m

Kobe Bryant dies when a high-tech helicopter crashes on a routine L.A. route—training ignored with deadly results. In Missouri, cockpit chatter dooms Corporate 5966, and in Lexington, a twin-engine jet crashes after taking off from the wrong runway.

Episode 6: Reckless Approaches

Jul 13, 2025 · 44m

A twin-engine jet slams into an Ohio apartment building in a tragic perfect storm, raising questions about speed, power, and fatigue. A turboprop crash exposes an industry-wide issue, and at Guantanamo Bay, a cargo plane goes down near the Cuban border.

Season 23 FAQ

Quick answers about this season's release timeline and episode lineup.

When did Air Disasters Season 23 premiere?

Air Disasters Season 23 premiered on June 8, 2025.

How many episodes are in Air Disasters Season 23?

Air Disasters Season 23 has 6 episodes.

What is the first episode of Air Disasters Season 23?

The season opens with Season 23 Episode 1, "Pitch Problems". It aired on June 8, 2025.

Go to Season 23 Episode 1

Where to Watch

Loading...

Streaming data provided by JustWatch