Air Crash Investigation

200315 series
Available on
Nat Geo

Catastrophic incidents in aviation history are meticulously re-enacted, providing insight into what went wrong and if the crashes and near-disasters could have been prevented. Accounts from survivors combine with computer images to weave these gripping tales, and expert testimony reveals the hows and whys behind these events, some of which have resulted in important changes to aviation safety and regulations.

Death Race: Episode Image
Episode 1Death Race

Jimmy Leeward went out to set a speed record at the Reno Air Races yet wound up in one of the deadliest air show disasters ever. What went wrong? (S18, ep 2)

Borderline Tactics: Episode Image
Episode 2Borderline Tactics

Experts uncover something startling that threatens cargo pilots worldwide when they investigate the crash of a US plane at Guantanamo Bay. (S18, ep 4)

Deadly Pitch: Episode Image
Episode 3Deadly Pitch

An anonymous tip-off holds the key to solving the mystery when a cargo flight crashes to the ground moments after taking off from Miami. (S18, ep 5)

Fatal Climb: Episode Image
Episode 4Fatal Climb

An accident or an act of murder? Investigators call in the FBI when Romania suffers the deadliest air disaster in its history. (S18, ep 6)

Fatal Approach: Episode Image
Episode 5Fatal Approach

A minor electrical problem sparked a catastrophic chain of errors that caused KLM Cityhopper Flight 433 to crash en route from Amsterdam to Cardiff. (S18, ep 3)

Runway Runoff: Episode Image
Episode 6Runway Runoff

Clues point to a mechanical problem when a Continental Airlines flight crashes. But then, investigators find the true culprit in the Rocky Mountains. (S18, ep 7)

Lethal Limits: Episode Image
Episode 7Lethal Limits

A series of discoveries spark calls to transform Russia's entire aviation system when an Aeroflot Nord flight crashed onto the Trans-Siberian railway. (S18, ep 8)

Deadly Descent: Episode Image
Episode 8Deadly Descent

The captain of Cathay Pacific Flight 780 averted crashing when both of the engines failed. But then, he realised he couldn't slow down for landing. (S18, ep 1)

Football Tragedy: Episode Image
Episode 9Football Tragedy

Experts investigate the deadly gamble that caused LaMia Flight 2933 to crash. 71 people were killed, including Brazil's Chapecoense football team. (S18, ep 9)

Slam Dunk: Episode Image
Episode 10Slam Dunk

The charred remains of United Express Flight 6291 gave experts very little to go on. That's until the cockpit voice record revealed the smoking gun. (S18, ep 10)

How to watch Air Crash Investigation