Mayday: Air Crash Investigation Episode Guide

Nov 8, 2025 by Admin 46 views

Hey guys! Ever been glued to the TV watching Mayday: Air Crash Investigation and wondered, "Which episode was that again?" or wanted a comprehensive list of episodes? You're in the right spot! This guide is your ultimate resource for navigating the gripping world of air disaster investigations. We'll dive into what makes this show so captivating and provide a detailed episode list to satisfy your curiosity. Buckle up; it’s going to be an informative ride!

What Makes Mayday: Air Crash Investigation So Captivating?

Mayday: Air Crash Investigation isn't just another documentary series; it’s a deep dive into the science, human factors, and sheer drama behind aviation disasters. The show masterfully combines dramatic reenactments, expert interviews, and cutting-edge CGI to piece together the events leading up to each crash. This approach not only educates viewers but also keeps them on the edge of their seats. One of the key elements that makes Mayday so compelling is its commitment to accuracy. The producers work closely with aviation experts, including pilots, engineers, and crash investigators, to ensure that every detail is as precise as possible. This dedication to authenticity lends credibility to the show and sets it apart from other dramatized documentaries. Furthermore, the show doesn't shy away from exploring the complex interplay of factors that often contribute to air accidents. Whether it's mechanical failure, human error, or adverse weather conditions, Mayday meticulously examines each aspect, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of what went wrong. Beyond the technical details, Mayday also delves into the human stories behind these tragedies. The show often features interviews with survivors, family members of victims, and the investigators themselves, providing a poignant reminder of the human cost of aviation accidents. These personal accounts add an emotional depth to the series, making it all the more impactful. Moreover, Mayday serves as an important platform for raising awareness about aviation safety. By highlighting the lessons learned from past accidents, the show contributes to ongoing efforts to improve safety standards and prevent future disasters. It underscores the importance of vigilance, thorough investigation, and continuous improvement in the aviation industry. In essence, Mayday: Air Crash Investigation is more than just a television show; it's a vital tool for understanding the complexities of air travel and the critical role that safety plays in ensuring the well-being of passengers and crew. Its unique blend of factual accuracy, dramatic storytelling, and human emotion makes it a truly captivating and informative viewing experience. The show’s popularity is a testament to its ability to engage viewers while educating them about the often-unseen world of aviation safety.

Comprehensive Episode List

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: the episode list you've been waiting for! I've organized it by season for easy navigation. Each entry includes the episode title and a brief summary to jog your memory. Get ready to relive some intense moments!

Season 1

Episode 1: Racing the Storm Summary: Focuses on the crash of Delta Air Lines Flight 191 in 1985, caused by microburst wind shear during a thunderstorm approach to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Episode 2: Unlocking Disaster Summary: Explores the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in 1989, where a catastrophic engine failure led to a loss of flight controls, resulting in a crash landing in Sioux City, Iowa.
Episode 3: Fire on Board Summary: Investigates Swissair Flight 111 in 1998, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Nova Scotia due to a fire caused by faulty wiring in the aircraft's entertainment system.
Episode 4: Cutting Corners Summary: Examines the crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in 1996, which plunged into the Florida Everglades after a fire erupted in the cargo hold due to improperly stored oxygen generators.
Episode 5: Deadly Go-Around Summary: Delves into the crash of Korean Air Flight 801 in 1997, which crashed on approach to Guam International Airport due to pilot error and inadequate air traffic control.
Episode 6: Flying Blind Summary: Chronicles the story of Aeroperú Flight 603 in 1996, which crashed into the Pacific Ocean after a maintenance worker failed to remove tape covering the static ports, leading to incorrect altitude readings.

Season 2

Episode 1: The Tenerife Mystery Summary: Reconstructs the events of the Tenerife airport disaster in 1977, where two Boeing 747s collided on the runway, resulting in the deadliest accident in aviation history.
Episode 2: Hudson River Runway Summary: Details the remarkable landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009 after the aircraft experienced a dual bird strike, causing both engines to fail.
Episode 3: Target is Destroyed Summary: Investigates the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014 over eastern Ukraine, revealing the complex factors that led to the tragedy.
Episode 4: Blow Out Summary: Focuses on the crash of China Airlines Flight 611 in 2002, which disintegrated in mid-air due to metal fatigue caused by improper repairs after a previous tail strike incident.
Episode 5: Cockpit Killer Summary: Examines the deliberate crash of EgyptAir Flight 990 in 1999, revealing evidence that the first officer intentionally brought the plane down.
Episode 6: Hijacked Summary: Reconstructs the events of Air France Flight 8969 in 1994, which was hijacked by Algerian terrorists, leading to a tense standoff and eventual rescue operation.

Season 3

Episode 1: Ghost Plane Summary: Investigates Helios Airways Flight 522 in 2005, which crashed after the pilots failed to pressurize the cabin, leading to hypoxia and incapacitation of the crew.
Episode 2: Fire Fight Summary: Details the crash of South African Airways Flight 295 in 1987, which crashed into the Indian Ocean due to a fire in the cargo hold, with conflicting theories about the cause.
Episode 3: Crash on the Mountain Summary: Focuses on the crash of American Airlines Flight 965 in 1995, which crashed into a mountain in Colombia due to pilot error and navigational mistakes.
Episode 4: Ocean Landing Summary: Examines the ditching of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 in 1996, which ran out of fuel after being hijacked, leading to a dramatic landing in the Comoros Islands.
Episode 5: Deadly Delay Summary: Investigates Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport due to pilot error and failure to configure the aircraft properly.
Episode 6: Fatal Flaw Summary: Chronicles the crash of Birgenair Flight 301 in 1996, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after takeoff from the Dominican Republic due to faulty airspeed indicators.

Season 4

Episode 1: Hanging by a Thread Summary: Explores the near-disaster of Aloha Airlines Flight 243 in 1988, where a section of the aircraft's roof ripped off in mid-air, leading to a miraculous landing.
Episode 2: Split Second Summary: Details the crash of Trans World Airlines Flight 800 in 1996, which exploded in mid-air shortly after takeoff from New York, with the investigation focusing on potential causes such as a bomb or mechanical failure.
Episode 3: Cracks in the System Summary: Focuses on the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 in 1985, which suffered a catastrophic tail failure due to improper repairs after a previous tail strike incident.
Episode 4: Impossible Landing Summary: Examines the crash of British Airways Flight 38 in 2008, which experienced a loss of power on approach to London Heathrow Airport due to ice crystals in the fuel.
Episode 5: Missed Approach Summary: Investigates the crash of Scandinavian Airlines Flight 751 in 1991, which crash-landed in a field after ice ingestion caused both engines to fail shortly after takeoff.
Episode 6: Fog of War Summary: Chronicles the downing of Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988 by the U.S. Navy missile cruiser USS Vincennes, resulting in the loss of all 290 passengers and crew.

Season 5

Episode 1: Heathrow's Lost Chance Summary: Focuses on the crash of British Midland Airways Flight 92 in 1989, which crashed near East Midlands Airport due to pilot error in misinterpreting engine vibrations.
Episode 2: Blinded by Design Summary: Details the crash of Air Inter Flight 148 in 1992, which crashed into a mountain near Strasbourg, France, due to pilot error and a confusing cockpit design.
Episode 3: Kid in the Cockpit Summary: Examines the crash of Aeroflot Flight 593 in 1994, which crashed after the pilot allowed his children to sit at the controls, leading to a loss of control.
Episode 4: Fatal Transmission Summary: Investigates the crash of Thai Airways International Flight 311 in 1992, which crashed into a mountain in Nepal due to pilot error and air traffic control miscommunication.
Episode 5: Racing Against Time Summary: Chronicles the crash of Emery Worldwide Flight 17 in 2000, which crashed shortly after takeoff due to a detached horizontal stabilizer.
Episode 6: Meltdown at Three Mile Island Summary: While not an air crash, this episode covers the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island in 1979, exploring the causes and consequences of the disaster.

Season 6

Episode 1: Dead Weight Summary: Investigates the crash of Fine Air Flight 101 in 1997, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Miami International Airport due to improper cargo loading.
Episode 2: Phantom Strike Summary: Details the crash of Swissair Flight 111 in 1998, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Nova Scotia due to a fire caused by faulty wiring in the aircraft's entertainment system.
Episode 3: Deadly Reputation Summary: Focuses on the crash of Air Moorea Flight 1121 in 2007, which crashed shortly after takeoff due to a maintenance error involving the elevator control cables.
Episode 4: Shattered in Seconds Summary: Examines the crash of Spanair Flight 5022 in 2008, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Madrid-Barajas Airport due to pilot error and a faulty alarm system.
Episode 5: The Final Blow Summary: Investigates the crash of Kegworth air disaster also known as British Midland Airways Flight 92 in 1989, which crashed near East Midlands Airport due to pilot error in misinterpreting engine vibrations.
Episode 6: Desperate Dive Summary: Chronicles the crash of Atlasjet Flight 4203 in 2007, which crashed into a hillside due to pilot error and spatial disorientation.

Season 7

Episode 1: Unfriendly Skies Summary: This episode examines multiple incidents of mid-air collisions and near misses, highlighting the importance of air traffic control and collision avoidance systems.
Episode 2: Seasick Summary: Investigates the crash of Rockton International Airlines Flight 889 in 1995, which crashed in the Caribbean Sea.
Episode 3: Bad Attitude Summary: Details the crash of Qantas Flight 72 in 2008, which experienced a series of sudden and uncommanded pitch-down maneuvers, injuring several passengers and crew.
Episode 4: Blown Apart Summary: Focuses on the crash of Middle East Airlines Flight 438 in 1976, which was bombed over Saudi Arabia.
Episode 5: Fireball Summary: Examines the crash of Nigeria Airways Flight 2120 in 1991, which crashed after takeoff due to a tire fire.
Episode 6: Heading to Disaster Summary: Investigates the crash of Independent Air Flight 1851 in 1989, which crashed into a mountain on approach to Santa Maria Airport in the Azores due to pilot error and navigational mistakes.

Season 8

Episode 1: Deadly Silence Summary: Chronicles the crash of Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 in 2009, which crashed on approach to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport due to a faulty radio altimeter.
Episode 2: Who's in Control? Summary: Details the crash of Crossair Flight 3597 in 2001, which crashed on approach to Zurich Airport due to pilot error and inadequate air traffic control.
Episode 3: The Human Factor Summary: Focuses on several accidents caused primarily by human error, examining the psychological and situational factors that can lead to mistakes in the cockpit.
Episode 4: Fatal Focus Summary: Examines the crash of Air Transat Flight 236 in 2001, which ran out of fuel over the Atlantic Ocean due to a fuel leak caused by improper maintenance.
Episode 5: Arctic Nightmare Summary: Investigates the crash of First Air Flight 6560 in 2011, which crashed on approach to Resolute Bay Airport in Nunavut, Canada, due to pilot error and a malfunctioning instrument landing system.
Episode 6: Bad Weather Summary: Chronicles several accidents caused by adverse weather conditions, highlighting the challenges of flying in storms, ice, and fog.

Season 9

Episode 1: The Plane That Flew Too High Summary: Focuses on the crash of Comair Flight 5191 in 2006, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Lexington, Kentucky, due to the pilots attempting to take off from the wrong runway.
Episode 2: Death in the Arctic Summary: Details the crash of Lockheed C-130 Hercules (Canadian Forces) Flight 323 in 2010, which crashed on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic during a resupply mission.
Episode 3: Deadly Crossroads Summary: Examines the mid-air collision between Bashkirian Airlines Flight 2937 and DHL Flight 611 in 2002, which occurred over Überlingen, Germany, due to errors by air traffic control.
Episode 4: Under Pressure Summary: Investigates the crash of LAPA Flight 3142 in 1999, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Buenos Aires, Argentina, due to the pilots failing to configure the aircraft for takeoff.
Episode 5: Error Chain Summary: Chronicles the crash of Qantas Flight 32 in 2010, which experienced an uncontained engine failure shortly after takeoff from Singapore Changi Airport, leading to a challenging emergency landing.
Episode 6: Deadly Climb Summary: Details the crash of West Caribbean Airways Flight 708 in 2005, which crashed in Venezuela due to pilot error and icing.

Season 10

Episode 1: Implosion Summary: Examines the crash of Chalk's Ocean Airways Flight 101 in 2005, which crashed off Miami Beach, Florida, due to metal fatigue.
Episode 2: Amsterdam Inferno Summary: Investigates the crash of El Al Flight 1862 in 1992, which crashed into an apartment building in Amsterdam after losing both engines on one wing.
Episode 3: Edge of Disaster Summary: Chronicles the near-crash of Air Canada Flight 759 in 2017, which nearly landed on a taxiway at San Francisco International Airport, narrowly avoiding a major disaster.
Episode 4: Deadly Distraction Summary: Details the crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 in 2009, which crashed near Buffalo, New York, due to pilot error and inadequate training.
Episode 5: Fight for Control Summary: Focuses on the crash of United Airlines Flight 585 in 1991 and USAir Flight 427 in 1994, both of which crashed due to a faulty rudder control system on the Boeing 737.
Episode 6: Deadly Mission Summary: Examines the crash of Polish Air Force Tu-154 in 2010, which crashed near Smolensk, Russia, killing the Polish President and numerous other high-ranking officials.

Season 11

Episode 1: Go-Around Gone Wrong Summary: Investigates the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 in 2013, which crashed on final approach to San Francisco International Airport due to pilot error.
Episode 2: Starburst Summary: Details the crash of TAM Airlines Flight 3054 in 2007, which overran the runway at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, Brazil, due to pilot error and inadequate runway conditions.
Episode 3: The Killing Machine Summary: Focuses on the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 in 2015, which was deliberately crashed by the co-pilot in the French Alps.
Episode 4: Bad Judgment Summary: Examines the crash of TransAsia Airways Flight 235 in 2015, which crashed into the Keelung River shortly after takeoff from Taipei Songshan Airport due to pilot error.
Episode 5: Deadly Solution Summary: Investigates the crash of Delta Air Lines Flight 1141 in 1988, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport due to pilot error and failure to configure the aircraft properly.
Episode 6: Lethal Turn Summary: Chronicles the crash of Prinair Flight 191 in 1972, which crashed on approach to Ponce, Puerto Rico, due to pilot error and spatial disorientation.

Season 12

Episode 1: Nightmare Over Niagara Summary: Details the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407, operated by Colgan Air, in 2009 near Buffalo, New York, focusing on pilot fatigue and inadequate training.
Episode 2: Disaster at Dubai Summary: Examines the crash of Emirates Flight 521 in 2016, which crash-landed at Dubai International Airport due to pilot error and wind shear.
Episode 3: Deadly Descent Summary: Investigates the crash of USAir Flight 1016 in 1994, which crashed during a thunderstorm approach to Charlotte, North Carolina, due to wind shear.
Episode 4: Cockpit Chaos Summary: Focuses on the crash of Aeroméxico Flight 498 in 1986, which collided with a private plane over Cerritos, California, due to air traffic control errors and pilot miscommunication.
Episode 5: Cargo Conspiracy Summary: Investigates the crash of National Airlines Flight 102 in 2013, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan due to improperly secured cargo.
Episode 6: Fatal Approach Summary: Chronicles the crash of Yeti Airlines Flight 691 in 2023, which crashed on approach to Pokhara International Airport in Nepal due to pilot error and unclear communication.

Season 13

Episode 1: Ditching in the Atlantic Summary: Explores the crash of Air Canada Flight 624 in 2015, which crash-landed short of the runway at Halifax Stanfield International Airport due to pilot error and poor weather conditions.
Episode 2: Runway Runaway Summary: Examines the crash of Lion Air Flight 904 in 2013, which crashed into the sea while attempting to land at Denpasar International Airport in Bali, Indonesia, due to pilot error.
Episode 3: Dangers Below Summary: Focuses on the crash of Trigana Air Service Flight 267 in 2015, which crashed in a mountainous region of Papua, Indonesia, due to poor weather and navigational errors.
Episode 4: Blind Spot Summary: Investigates the crash of Tatarstan Airlines Flight 363 in 2013, which crashed during a go-around at Kazan International Airport in Russia due to pilot error and inadequate training.
Episode 5: Frozen in Flight Summary: Details the crash of Manx2 Flight 7100 in 2011, which crashed at Cork Airport in Ireland due to pilot error and inadequate de-icing procedures.
Episode 6: Dicing with Death Summary: Chronicles the near loss of Air Transat Flight 961 in 2005, which lost a large portion of its rudder over the Atlantic, highlighting the importance of quick thinking in emergency situations.

Season 14

Episode 1: Draining the Skies Summary: Investigates the crash of LaMia Flight 2933 in 2016, which crashed in Colombia due to fuel exhaustion, resulting in the deaths of most of the Chapecoense football team.
Episode 2: Deadly Airspace Summary: Examines the mid-air collision between two military aircraft over Lithuania in 2011, highlighting the dangers of congested airspace and the importance of proper coordination.
Episode 3: Hidden Danger Summary: Focuses on the crash of Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 in 2018, which experienced an engine failure mid-flight, resulting in one fatality due to shrapnel entering the cabin.
Episode 4: Racing to the Bottom Summary: Details the disappearance and crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in 2014, exploring the various theories and the ongoing search efforts.
Episode 5: Dangers at Dusk Summary: Investigates the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in 2020, which was shot down by Iranian military forces shortly after takeoff from Tehran, due to misidentification.
Episode 6: Dicing with the Devil Summary: Chronicles the accident of Japan Airlines Flight 123 in 1985, which suffered a catastrophic tail failure due to improper repairs after a previous tail strike incident.

Season 15

Episode 1: Steering Failure Summary: This episode investigates causes of steering failures in flight and how the pilots solved the problems.
Episode 2: Collision Course Summary: This episode investigates mid-air collusions, focusing on the pilots and how they averted fatal consequences.

Season 16

Episode 1: Fatal Error Summary: Details the crash of Flydubai Flight 981 in 2016, which crashed on approach to Rostov-on-Don Airport in Russia due to pilot error and spatial disorientation.
Episode 2: Borderline Tactics Summary: Examines the crash of Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 in 2020, which crashed on approach to Karachi Airport due to pilot error and air traffic control lapses.

Wrapping Up

There you have it – a comprehensive guide to Mayday: Air Crash Investigation episodes! Hopefully, this list helps you find the episodes you're looking for or introduces you to some you may have missed. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or just fascinated by the science of disaster investigation, Mayday offers something for everyone. Keep exploring, stay curious, and fly safe (or at least, enjoy watching others navigate the skies!).