Episodes

Summary: Seven minutes after takeoff, United Airlines Flight 629 explodes in the sky. In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly walks us through the investigation that followed, which soon takes a chilling turn. And … Read More

Summary: Korean Air Flight 801 had all of the makings of a safe flight: crew experienced with both commercial flights and successful emergency landings, a safe aircraft, and a clear route. Just 20 minutes before landing, what should have been … Read More

Summary: On June 1, 1999, American Airlines Flight 1420, with 145 people onboard, tried to land in a dangerous thunderstorm. But when the aircraft overshot the runway, it led to a deadly disaster that revealed industry-wide pressure placed on pilots … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: Just a few minutes before landing, the BSAA Avro Lancastrian Star Dust was preparing for its final descent into Santiago, Chile. When the plane sent a very strange transmission three times in a row, air traffic control … Read More

Summary: On April 4, 1975, the first of 30 flights that operated as part of Operation Babylift left Saigon with a single mission: to carry some of the youngest and most vulnerable of those impacted by the Vietnam War to … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: Can you believe another year is wrapping up? In this Patreon-exclusive Layover Episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly and Stephanie recap a very full year of telling air disaster stories and learning … Read More

Summary: In part one of this special two-part episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, we explore the bombing of Pan Am 103, which claimed the lives of 270 people, as well as the complex and complicated … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: On August 20, 2011, First Air 6560 crashed into a hill while approaching the airport in Resolute Bay, Canada, killing 12 of the 15 people onboard. In this Patreon-exclusive episode of Take to the Sky: the Air … Read More

Summary: As Flash Airlines Flight 604 climbed into the air on its way to a quick layover stop in Cairo, the plane began to bank sharply to the right. In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: the Air … Read More

Summary: In September 1989, a group of scientists and pilots known as the Hurricane Hunters took off in NOAA 42, a government research plane, to gather important information on the rapidly growing hurricane Hugo. In this episode, Shelly shares the … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: Air disasters come in many different forms, and one type of air disaster that rarely happens is a skydiving accident. But on July 4, 2003, experienced skydiver Stephen Hilder was left falling to his death when his … Read More

Summary: On October 14, 2004, a standard repositioning flight from Little Rock to Minneapolis went wildly out of control– but why? In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie shares some of the stunning … Read More

Summary: On February 19, 1985, China Airlines Flight 006, with 274 people onboard, experienced a malfunction of its number four engine while cruising at almost forty thousand feet. Suddenly, the plane entered a dive, spiraling down out of the sky. … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: This Patreon-exclusive episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast shares an unforgettable story that starts at 39,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Stephanie tells the story of Captain Robert Piché and First Officer Dirk … Read More

Summary: On December 11, 1994, Philippine Airlines Flight 434 was more than halfway to its destination when a shocking explosion led to chaos onboard. In this week’s episode, Stephanie tells the story of the desperate bid to save the plane … Read More

Summary: On June 26, 1988, Air France 296Q crashed into a forest while conducting a demonstration flight during the Habsheim Air Show. In episode 81 of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, join Shelly as we explore the … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: On September 11, 2001, millions of US citizens found themselves grappling with the aftermath of terrorist attacks from within the country’s borders. Around the world, though, thousands of people found themselves stranded far from home when US … Read More

Summary: Taking off during bad weather is rarely enjoyable, but it can certainly be a dangerous decision. In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie takes us through the events that led to the … Read More

Summary: On December 19, 1997, Silk Air Flight 185 suddenly dove from the sky and crashed into the Musi River, killing all 104 people onboard. Join Shelly in this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast as … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: On December 1, 1974, TWA Flight 514 crashed into the side of Mount Weather, Virginia, while on approach to Dulles Airport near Washington, DC. Join Shelly for this exclusive Patreon-only episode of Take to the Sky: The … Read More

Summary: Very early in the morning on January 21, 1985, 65 passengers boarded a charter flight from Reno to Minneapolis for the trip home after a quick weekend away. As the plane became airborne, the entire frame began to shake … Read More

Summary: On June 9, 2005, Ansett New Zealand Flight 703 crashed when it collided with terrain just 10 miles from the airport in Palmerston, New Zealand. Join Shelly as she shares the story of how a distracted flight crew and … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: A little more than three months after the devastating attacks of September 11th, people were trying to find a new sense of normal. And for many people, that “new normal” included getting on an airplane again. But … Read More

Summary: In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie takes us through the shocking events that contributed to the crash of Delta Air Lines Flight 1141 on August 31, 1988. As the NTSB attempted … Read More

Summary: On August 9, 2007, Air Moorea Flight 1121 crashed shortly after takeoff. Join Shelly in this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast as she shares the unexpected events that led to the crash of this … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: A busy evening in New Delhi’s skies turned tragic on November 12, 1996 when Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 met 14,000 feet above this ground. In this Patreon-exclusive episode, Stephanie shares the … Read More

Summary: In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie shares a lesser known story connected to the events that transpired on September 11, 2001. Korean Air Flight 85 was preparing for its arrival in … Read More

Summary: When two best friends, Ruth Clifford McCourt and Paige Farley Hackel, boarded separate flights on September 11, 2001, they never knew they would both suffer the same awful fate. Join Shelly for this special 9/11 highlight episode of Take … Read More

Summary: On June 29, 2009, Yemenia Flight 626 prepared to land in the island nation of Comoros as a cold front swept through the region. Join Stephanie as she shares how a routine landing sequence turned into devastation for the … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: As the Soviet Union entered World War II in 1941, one of their most critical offenses came from the Night Witches. The all-female 588th Night Bomber Regiment was responsible for some of the most daring missions during … Read More

Summary: On New Year’s Day in 2007, Adam Air Flight 574 crashed into the sea off the coast of Indonesia. Join Shelly for this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast as she walks us through the … Read More

Summary: July 31, 1973 was not an ideal day for flying; foggy conditions enveloped New England, leading to delays and cancellations throughout the region. In this episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie takes us through … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: On January 8, 2003, Air Midwest Flight 5481 crashed shortly after takeoff at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, in Charlotte, North Carolina. All 20 people aboard the airplane were killed and one person on the ground received minor injuries. … Read More

Summary: On December 7, 1987, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 crashed into a hill in San Luis Obispo County, CA, killing all 43 people onboard. Soon, the investigation into the cause of the crash became a criminal one led by … Read More

Summary: When the crew of United Airlines Flight 232 boarded their aircraft on July 19, 1989, they had no idea they were just a few hours away from the greatest challenge they would ever face. In the skies above Iowa, … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: In this Layover Episode for our Podcrasher community, Shelly recounts how an Iraqi pilot absconded to Israel with a MiG-21 – and forever ripped open the secrets of Soviet fighter capabilities for the West during the now … Read More

Summary: On July 6, 2013, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashed into a seawall upon landing at San Francisco International Airport, and divided the NTSB over the main cause of the crash – was it due to pilot error or the … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: On February 15, 1961, Sabena Flight 548 was carrying a plane full of travelers across the Atlantic Ocean. Among the passengers was the entire US Figure Skating team as they looked ahead to participating in the World … Read More

Summary: There is so much to be learned from every plane crash, and this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast takes a look at an investigation so detailed and thorough it took the NTSB more … Read More

Summary: As the crew of BOAC Flight 911 tried to get closer to give their passengers a better view of Mount Fuji on March 5, 1966, disaster suddenly struck, and the 707 fell in pieces back to earth. Following the … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: If there is one thing most of us have missed over the last year, it’s travel. When you think of flying, it’s easy to get lost in the magic of it: gliding through the clouds, marveling at … Read More

Summary: Communication is key for most flights; communication between members of the flight crew is essential, and communication with air traffic control is equally important. When a private Learjet stopped communicating with ATC on October 25, 1999, officials on the … Read More

Summary: It only takes just one major mistake to set a disaster in motion. In this episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster podcast, Shelly shares the shocking story of Aeroflot Nord Flight 821, which crashed upon landing … Read More

Summary: As a typhoon crawled toward Taiwan, Singapore Airlines Flight 006 began its taxi toward the runway, and the flight crew was prepared for a slippery but safe departure toward calmer skies en route to Los Angeles. Before the plane … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: On May 5, 2007, Kenya Airways Flight 507 crashed shortly after takeoff near Douala, Cameroon. The investigation unraveled a startling sequence of events that pointed toward a flight doomed only because a preventable human error was exacerbated … Read More

Summary: In the early morning hours of September 1, 1983, Korean Air Lines Flight 007 crashed into the North Pacific Ocean off Sakhalin Island. The cause of the crash quickly becomes clear to the world: a Soviet fighter jet has … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: In this Layover Episode for our Podcrasher community, Shelly recounts the very little-known story of Aurelia Grigore, the airline stewardess who survived not one but two plane crashes and lived to tell about it. We were seriously … Read More

Summary: Just 30 minutes before Air India Flight 182 was scheduled to arrive in London, it disappeared from radar. That marked the first moment when anyone realized the flight was in distress- including the passengers and crew on board. In … Read More

Summary: In episode 59 of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, we explore Crossair Flight 498, which crashed shortly after takeoff on January 10, 2000 outside Zurich, Switzerland. The investigation finds a combination of variables that led to … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: Bad weather is nothing new for pilots, but when a line of thunderstorms looked more menacing than expected, the flight crew on Braniff Airlines Flight 352 wondered if a diversion might be in order. What happened next … Read More

Summary: By the time Swissair Flight 111 reached its cruising altitude in the evening hours of September 2, 1998, there was no reason to expect anything other than a safe flight. Less than an hour after takeoff, a strange smell … Read More

Summary: In episode 57 of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, we explore the story of TAROM Flight 371, which crashed shortly after takeoff on March 31, 1995 in the small town of Balotești, Romania. The investigation soon … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: We learn something new about safe travel through every episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast, yet there’s often still one question in the back of our minds: what does it take to survive … Read More

Summary: When MacRobertson Miller Airlines Flight 1750 took off from Perth, Australia on December 31, 1968, there had been 64 air disasters worldwide during the year. No one knew that the year would end with 65 plane crashes— or that … Read More

Summary: Shortly after midnight on October 2, 1996, Aeroperú Flight 603 crashed into the ocean. Join Shelly in this episode of Take to the Sky: the Air Disaster Podcast as she tells the story of a cockpit in chaos and … Read More

Exclusive for Podcrashers: On July 9, 1982, Pan Am Flight 759 took off from New Orleans International Airport just like any other flight. Right after the plane took to the sky, disaster struck not only for Pan Am 759, but … Read More

Summary: On May 25, 1979, a routine flight from Chicago to Los Angeles made its way into the history books as the deadliest aviation disaster in US history at the time. In week’s episode of Take to the Sky: the … Read More

Summary: In the early morning hours of August 27, 2006, Comair Flight 5191 crashes at the end of a runway at Lexington’s Bluegrass Airport. The investigation soon reveals the shocking reason why and what this plane crash can teach us … Read More

Summary: Ice on the wings of a plane can be catastrophic, but a little ice on the windshield on a winter New England day isn’t out of the ordinary. In 1982, that challenge set a frightening chain of events into … Read More

Summary: In 1961, Dag Hammarskjöld, the second-ever UN Secretary General, died in a plane crash. Immediate findings point to pilot error, but over the next 50 years, clues begin to surface that point to more sinister intentions. Join Shelly in … Read More

Summary: On July 17, 2007, it took less than 10 seconds for an Airbus A320 landing at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport to switch from a typical landing to Brazil’s deadliest plane crash. In this week’s episode of Take to the … Read More

Summary: On July 26, 1959, Marine Lt. Col. William Henry Rankin finds himself in an impossible situation 47,000 feet in air over the coast of North Carolina. After his single engine F8 Crusader fails, Lt. Col. William Henry Rankin decides … Read More

Summary: It was a sunny morning in Poland when LOT Polish Airlines Flight 5055 started its journey to New York City, but the routine takeoff quickly turned tragic when a sudden emergency necessitated an immediate landing. In this week’s episode … Read More

Summary: Accident investigations are almost synonymous with the National Transportation Safety Board, or the NTSB. Recognized around the world as the gold standard in investigations, the NTSB’s diligence and authority have contributed to findings, probable causes, and recommendations that have … Read More

Summary: Many professionals have behind-the-scenes jobs to do that help keep a plane flying safely, from maintenance personnel all the way to the flight crew. But what happens if someone does not do their job in the right way, setting … Read More

Summary: The last few moments of a flight’s descent are typically smooth as the aircraft lowers to the ground– so what would cause a plane to suddenly pick up speed and shoot back into the sky? In this week’s episode … Read More

Summary: When we think of the air disasters that capture our curiosity and grip our hearts the most, these stories often involve large commercial jets. But sometimes air disasters don’t just involve airplanes. In this episode of Take to the … Read More

Summary: When it comes to aviation, mechanical issues are part of the equation, and there is plenty of troubleshooting that happens at 35,000 feet. When the crew of United Airlines Flight 173 faced a frustrating issue that put a safe … Read More

Summary: The automation onboard Qantas 72, an Airbus A330, was supposed to help keep everyone safe on October 7, 2008. But when that same automation goes terribly awry, it is up to the decisive thinking of the flight crew to … Read More

Summary: Charter flights can be a quick, convenient way to travel to a destination, and that is why the White family boarded their King Air flight as they prepared for a trip home. In this week’s episode of Take to … Read More

Summary: On October 4, 1992, El Al Flight 1862, a Boeing 747 cargo jet, sets off from Schipol Airport in Amsterdam — but it never lands at its final destination in Tel Aviv. Join Shelly in this episode of Take … Read More

Summary: As two families and their guide prepared to leave a great vacation behind and return home, they boarded Nature Air Flight 9916 to begin their journey. Within moments, their plane was back on the ground. This week on Take … Read More

Summary: 2020 was an unforgettable year for many reasons, but for us it’s because we started Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast! In this Layover Episode, Shelly and Stephanie toast to a year of exploring air disasters and … Read More

Summary: On January 9, 1989, British Midland Flight 92 sets off for Belfast, Northern Ireland. But shortly into the flight, the brand new 737-400 aircraft experiences what everyone thinks is a catastrophic mechanical failure. Join Shelly in this episode of … Read More

Summary: On May 6, 1937, crowds formed near Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey to welcome the first Zeppelin transatlantic flight of the year. History knows what happened next: just moments before landing, the Hindenburg burst into flames as … Read More

Summary: Inflight fire is one of the worst situations for any pilot or passenger. On May 11, 1996, everyone onboard ValuJet Flight 592 tries desperately to survive as things inside the cabin only get worse by the minute. Join Shelly … Read More

Summary: Cockpits are busy places. Fortunately, aviation technology has advanced to support flight crews and make the tasks related to flying streamlined—and certainly easier than ever before. In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie … Read More

Summary: The American Thanksgiving holiday, for those who celebrate it, is a time to appreciate all we have. For some families, though, it can be a devastating reminder of all they have lost. Join Shelly in our holiday episode of … Read More

Summary: Most packages delivered to your door arrive after a journey that includes time on the road- and in the air. This week, Stephanie shares a tragic tale with some surprising consequences as we take a look at UPS Airlines … Read More

Summary: As America began to return to a sense of normalcy after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, no one could imagine that just 60 days later, New York would once again be reeling from another crash involving a commercial jetliner. In … Read More

Summary: There may be nothing scarier than sitting on an airplane with a gaping hole in the side of it- but that is exactly what happened to 336 passengers on United Flight 811 in 1989. This week on Take to … Read More

Summary: American Eagle Flight 4184 was just any other short-haul flight over the Midwest—until it plummeted into a soybean field in Roselawn, Indiana, on Halloween 1994. Listen to the newest episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast … Read More

Summary: September 11th will live in many people’s memories as the day when devastating terrorist attacks on US soil forever changed air travel. 9/11 also changed and reshaped the lives of many Americans, many of whom are still impacted by … Read More

Summary: As 131 passengers settled in for a full flight from Manchester to Corfu, they had no idea they were about to play a role in an unforgettable air disaster before even leaving the ground. In this week’s episode of … Read More

Summary: Two crashes involving the new 737 MAX aircraft, one in October 2018 and one in March 2019, took the lives of 346 people. In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly recounts the … Read More

Summary: When Captain Stefan Rasmussen hears a strange noise as part of Scandinavian Airlines Flight 751’s takeoff rotation, he has no idea that the next four minutes of his life will be spent living out a pilot’s worst nightmare. In … Read More

Summary: What causes an entire plane full of people – including passengers and crew – to become incapacitated? In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly tells the eerie story of Helios Airways Flight 522, … Read More

Summary: It took less than a minute for a normal takeoff to turn into an unimaginable nightmare for passengers on Cubana de Aviación Flight 972. In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie takes … Read More

Summary: In the late 1960s, airplane hijackings were regarded as mere inconviences to both passengers and crew. Usually, those incidents ended with a flight to Cuba and free drinks for passengers. But, on St. Patrick’s Day 1970, as Eastern Airlines … Read More

Summary: On September 11, 2001, four commercial flights were commandeered by terrorists and flown into buildings in New York City and Washington, D.C., and into a field outside Shanksville, PA. That day foever changed America and the way that we … Read More

Summary: On September 11, 2001, four commercial jetliners were commandeered by terrorists and flown into buildings in New York City and Washington, D.C., and into a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania. That day forever changed America and the way that we … Read More

Summary: Travel interruptions can wreck havoc on your plans, and when your flight is cancelled there is no greater feeling of relief than confirming a ticket on a plane about to depart. For many passengers on Turkish Airlines Flight 981, … Read More

Summary: It was a routine flight about ready to prepare for landing in San Diego – but the flight never made it safely. In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly walks us through … Read More

Summary: There is nothing more luxurious than a flight on a private plane—unless your flight doesn’t take off at all. In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie takes us through the decisions and … Read More

Summary: It should have been a trip of a lifetime for the passengers onboard Nigeria Airways Flight 2120. But just within minutes of taking off, a disaster strikes that would cause the loss of life of those onboard and forever … Read More

Summary: As 248 flight passengers flew high above Jakarta, Indonesia, the hum of the plane’s mechanical systems was suddenly replaced by eerie silence as all four engines unexpectedly burned out. In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: The … Read More

Summary: What do you get when you combine a successful member of a famous family, a novice pilot, a stressful career, and relationship woes? In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly takes us through … Read More

Summary: When traveling on a plane, you’ll hear plenty of chimes, dings, and other sounds that indicate how the flight is progressing. One sound you don’t want to hear, though, is the smoke detector. In this week’s episode of Take … Read More

Summary: Ice and snow may be an expected part of cold weather travel, but they can also lead to disastrous situations. In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly tells the story of the … Read More

Summary: On August 16, 1987, Northwest Airlines flight 255 was ready for takeoff. With a full flight of passengers ready for departure and an experienced crew in the cockpit, their flight from Detroit to Phoenix was set to be smooth- … Read More

Summary: In this week’s episode, Shelly takes us into the world of regional airlines as we look at the legacy of Continental Connection Flight 3407, also known as Colgan Air Flight 3407. When a flight from Newark to Buffalo stalls … Read More

Summary: We’re so excited to bring you our very first Layover Episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast! If you think of our new episodes released every Thursday as nonstop flights, Layover Episodes are like connections between … Read More

Summary: 20 minutes after takeoff, EgyptAir 990 was enjoying a smooth ride as it climbed above Nantucket’s coastline. Less than four minutes later, its wreckage was floating in the Atlantic Ocean. In this week’s episode of Take to the Sky: … Read More

Summary: In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly shares the incredible story of Southern Airways Flight 242, which was ravaged inflight by a powerful storm. The pilots had to take desperate actions if they … Read More

Summary: What could cause an airplane to turn into a ball of fire just 12 minutes after takeoff? In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie takes a look at TWA 800, one of the … Read More

Summary: In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly tells one of the most amazing stories of pilot heroism in the sky when a routine flight became a fight for life. When what should have … Read More

Summary: When it comes to flying VIPs, there is never room for shortcuts- or is there? In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie takes us on the journey of USAF IFO-21, a 1996 US … Read More

Summary: In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly shares the story of a historic Grand Canyon mid-air plane collision from 1956 that forever changed the way we fly. From the decisions that led to … Read More

Summary: In the days when smoking was allowed on passenger flights, the smell of smoke didn’t always suggest a major issue onboard. In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie takes us on the journey … Read More

Summary: Join Shelly in this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast as she tells the tale of an airplane that suddenly disappears over the French Alps. And the truth of the air disaster reveals the horrors … Read More

Summary: In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie shares the story of Air New Zealand Flight 901, a sightseeing trip over Antarctica that ended in tragedy when it crashed into the continent miles away … Read More

Summary: In this episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Shelly tells the frightening and harrowing story of Air France Flight 447, which disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean in May 2009. It was two years before investigators … Read More

Summary: In our second episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, Stephanie tells the tale of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which earned the nickname the Miracle of the Andes when it crashed into the mountains on … Read More

Summary: Inaugural Episode! Join Shelly and Stephanie for this inaugural episode of Take to the Sky: The Air Disaster Podcast, where Shelly tells the tragic story of Air Florida Flight 90, also known as the 14th Street Bridge crash in … Read More