Storyline

Ride along with the NTSB and its inter-agency partners as they work together towards determining the probable cause of aircraft accidents. These NTSB investigations provide a window into the integral role of air travel in Alaskan life, while raising awareness that might prevent future accidents.

First Aired

2016-03-13
Last Aired

2016-04-17
Creator

James O. Fraioli
Genre

Documentary
Seasons

1
Episodes

6
Status

Returning Series
Language
Network

Smithsonian Channel

Keywords:

investigation aviation disaster

Stream and watch Alaska Aircrash Investigations

Season 1

1. Forest Flight Down

When a recent transplant to Alaska crashes a commuter plane west of Juneau, Chris Shaver launches an i...More

When a recent transplant to Alaska crashes a commuter plane west of Juneau, Chris Shaver launches an investigation to see whether the fatal crash was caused by mechanical issues or pilot error. On-scene investigation and a wreckage layout provide few clues. But recovered in-flight data reveals an unusual flight path, which might uncover the true cause of the tragedy.Less

51mins 2016-03-13

2. Trapper Creek Tragedy

Senior investigator Brice Banning goes to the site of an Alaska tragedy: a bush pilot flying over his ...More

Senior investigator Brice Banning goes to the site of an Alaska tragedy: a bush pilot flying over his daughter’s wedding party, who fatally crashed into nearby trees. Meanwhile, investigator Millicent Hoidal looks into a crash near the remote town of Bethel and uncovers a troubling medical issue that could have contributed to the pilot’s fatal flight.Less

51mins 2016-03-20

3. Engine Out in Midair

When a Cessna 180 crashes on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, two lives are lost … along with nearly all the ...More

When a Cessna 180 crashes on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, two lives are lost … along with nearly all the evidence. After a terrible post-crash fire, investigator Shaun Williams must piece together eyewitness accounts from a grieving community, and compare that with the surviving pieces of wreckage. It takes a trip to an Alabama engine factory and back to Alaska to begin to make sense of the mysterious final sounds of the aircraft.Less

51mins 2016-03-27

4. Plane Down In The Tundra

A tourist flight crashes just after takeoff from a remote fishing lodge, killing several passengers. T...More

A tourist flight crashes just after takeoff from a remote fishing lodge, killing several passengers. The wreckage layout reveals that neither the airframe nor the engine caused the crash. Now the “Go Team” must launch a probe into the bizarre noises described by the survivors in the last minutes of the flight, and painstakingly determine whether the aircraft was overloaded past its weight limit.Less

51mins 2016-04-03

5. Lost Over The Inlet

Newcomer Shaun Williams gets a report at midnight of a downed plane in a local bay, but by dawn, the a...More

Newcomer Shaun Williams gets a report at midnight of a downed plane in a local bay, but by dawn, the aircraft has disappeared under the waters of Knik Arm. With rescuers and helicopters attempting to recover the wreckage, Williams tries to determine what caused the plane to plunge only two miles before its planned landing. When the fatal crash is pulled from the water, the NTSB rules out mechanical problems, leaving the possibly damaged GPS as the only evidence that might solve the mystery.Less

51mins 2016-04-10

6. Stalled Over The Highway

A 23-year-old pilot’s Cessna plunges nose first into a public road near Big Lake, and investigator Mil...More

A 23-year-old pilot’s Cessna plunges nose first into a public road near Big Lake, and investigator Millicent Hoidal must piece together the evidence remaining from the fiery crash. A set of missing logbooks and a propeller with no serial number complicate the investigation, which must rely on a deep dive into the young pilot’s history and training to determine the final cause of the disaster.Less