Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.
On 29 March 2001, a chartered business jet operated by Avjet crashes into a hillside while on final approach to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Colorado, killing all 18 people on board. The cause of the accident was the pilots' premature descent below the minimum descent altitude.
On 12 April 1990, Widerøe Flight 839 crashes into the water shortly after takeoff from Værøy Airport in Norway, killing all five people on board. The investigation determined that the aircraft suffered a structural failure due to strong winds that exceeded its design criteria.
On 8 February 1988, Nürnberger Flugdienst Flight 108 breaks up in mid-air and crashes near Kettwig, Germany, while on approach to Düsseldorf Airport, killing all 21 people on board. The pilots suffered spatial disorientation after a lightning strike caused a total electrical failure.
On 18 June 2007, the landing gear of Eagle Airways Flight 2300 fails to extend while on approach to Wellington. The pilots divert the aircraft and make a belly landing at Blenheim, saving all 17 people on board. The landing gear failed due to a fatigue crack in the hydraulic actuator.
On 28 July 2010, Airblue Flight 202 crashes into the Margalla Hills while attempting to land at Benazir Bhutto International Airport in poor weather conditions, killing all 152 people on board. The crash was caused by the pilots' errors in judgement and lack of professionalism.
On 2 October 1996, shortly after take off, the crew of Aeroperú Flight 603 are confused by false speed and altitude readings and contradictory warnings from the aircraft's air data system. In preparation for an emergency landing, the crew descend the aircraft, but unknowingly descend too far by relying on the false readings. The aircraft crashes into the Pacific Ocean, killing all 70 people on board. The false readings and contradictory warnings were caused by duct tape over the static ports, which was used to protect the ports during maintenance, but was not removed afterwards. Note: This accident was previously featured in the episode "Flying Blind" (S01E04) and as a special in the episode "Who's Flying the Plane?" (S06E03).
On 6 March 2003, the left engine of Air Algérie Flight 6289 fails during takeoff from Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport in Tamanrasset, Algeria. The aircraft enters a stall and crashes into a desert near the Trans-Sahara Highway, killing all but 1 of the 103 occupants on board.
On 15 January 2023, Yeti Airlines Flight 691 stalls and crashes into a gorge near the Seti Gandaki River during final approach to Pokhara International Airport, killing all 72 people on board. It was later determined that the pilots accidentally feathered the aircraft's propellers.
On 7 August 2020, Air India Express Flight 1344 plunges down a gorge after overrunning the runway at Kozhikode International Airport in poor weather, killing 21 of the 190 people on board. The captain continued the unstabilized approach and landed too far down the runway.
On 15 April 1999, Korean Air Cargo Flight 6316 crashes into an industrial zone shortly after takeoff from Shanghai, China, killing all 3 crew members on board and 5 people on the ground. The pilots lost altitude situational awareness and made abrupt flight control inputs.
