Why Planes Crash

Why Planes Crash was an aviation documentary TV mini-series based on aircraft accidents and crashes. The series was created and named by producer Caroline Sommers, on behalf of NBC Peacock Productions. The series premiere on July 12, 2009 featured "Miracle on the Hudson," Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger's incredible water ditching of U.S. Air flight 1549 in the Hudson on January 15, 2009. Three other ditchings were also featured: Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961, ALM Flight 980, and Pan Am Flight 6.

Why Planes Crash
Genre	Documentary
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English Dutch French German
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

Originally run on MSNBC, it was narrated by Lester Holt. The series is still in heavy rotation on The Weather Channel. Original production ceased in 2015.

Plot

In every episode normally three accidents would be discussed. Over the 43 minute program aviation experts such as veteran pilot and founder of Safety Operating Systems John Cox, as well as former NTSB investigators John Goglia and Greg Feith 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 graphically illustrate what occurred during the accident.[1]

In some episodes a survivor or survivors would explain what they experienced during the accident.

Episodes

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Season 1

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code
1	1	"Brace for Impact"	Caroline Sommers	Caroline Sommers	July 12, 2009 (2009-07-12)	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"	Caroline Sommers	Caroline Sommers	January 17, 2010 (2010-01-17)	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 (2010-11-21)	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 (2010-11-28)	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"	Caroline Sommers	Caroline Sommers	April 27, 2013 (2013-04-27)	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"	Caroline Sommers	Caroline Sommers	December 15, 2014 (2014-12-15)	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"	Caroline Sommers	Caroline Sommers	December 22, 2014 (2014-12-22)	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 (2014-12-29)	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 (2015-01-04)	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 (2015-01-05)	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 (2015-01-12)	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 (2015-01-19)	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 (2015-01-20)	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"	Caroline Sommers	Caroline Sommers	February 2, 2015 (2015-02-02)	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. Accidents: United Airlines Flight 173, United Airlines Flight 232, Korean Air Flight 801

References

1. "Why Planes Crash - TWC - iMDb". iMDb.com. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2017.

External links

• Why Planes Crash on The Weather Channel website.