Top 10 Air Disaster Videos of All Time | Smithsonian Channel

Captain Kevin Stables and First Officer George Land are preparing for a routine freight flight on a 30-year-old DC-8 cargo plane. As they load the last containers, they calculate the weight and balance of the plane. During takeoff, the plane unexpectedly pitches upward steeply, leading to an uncommanded left bank. The crew realizes they have a severe balance issue and must return to the airport immediately. They declare an emergency, and the ground proximity warning sounds as they struggle to maintain control. Despite the challenges, they manage to get the plane back to the airport, narrowly avoiding a collision with China Airlines Flight 120, which is also facing its own emergency with an engine fire upon landing.

As China Airlines Flight 120 lands smoothly, the crew and passengers are alerted to an engine fire. The pilots follow an evacuation checklist and prepare to open the doors. Despite the urgency, the evacuation is orderly, with passengers and crew prioritizing safety. George Ishizaki, a witness inside the terminal, captures the unfolding disaster on his camcorder. The plane has been burning for nearly three minutes, increasing the risk of explosion. Miraculously, all 165 people on board escape unharmed, making it a rare instance of a large-scale evacuation without injuries. Meanwhile, a rogue Learjet is tracked by the FAA, escalating the tension as the nation watches the drama unfold.

The nation is captivated by the story of a rogue Learjet flying off course. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are notified, and F-16 fighters are scrambled to track the plane. Experts speculate on the possible causes, such as hijacking or mechanical failure. The F-16 pilots eventually catch up with the plane, discovering it covered in frost with no signs of movement inside. The Learjet, carrying Payne Stewart and five others, is now a ghost plane. Calculations predict it will run out of fuel over South Dakota or North Dakota. Tragically, the plane crashes into a hayfield in South Dakota, with no survivors. The incident highlights the tragic consequences of uncontrolled flights and the urgency of understanding the causes behind such incidents.

Amid confusion in the cockpit, the pilots of flight 2120 are unaware of smoke in the cabin. Mechanic Jean-Paul Phillipe realizes the severity of the situation as an onboard fire threatens to consume the aircraft. The crew struggles to maintain control as the fire spreads, leading to a loss of hydraulics and flight control problems. Despite desperate attempts to land in Jeddah, the plane crashes, resulting in the worst accident for a Canadian airline and the deadliest crash of a DC-8 in history. The Concorde's high fuel consumption is also highlighted, emphasizing the challenges of operating such advanced aircraft.

On a routine day, Air France 4590 is cleared for takeoff. As the Concorde accelerates, the crew reaches the decision speed (V1), beyond which they cannot abort the takeoff. Suddenly, the plane veers left, and the flight engineer urges the captain to abort, but it's too late. The plane lifts off, only to be engulfed in flames. The captain struggles for control as the engineer attempts to shut down the burning engine. The plane's airspeed drops dangerously low, and the crew tries to land at Le Bourget airport. Tragically, the supersonic jet slams into an airport hotel, marking a devastating day in aviation history.

Fine Air Cargo Flight 101 prepares for takeoff from Miami to the Dominican Republic. The crew follows standard procedures, but as they reach decision speed (V1), the plane begins to veer left. The air traffic controller alerts them to the problem, but the crew fights to regain control. Despite their efforts, the plane crashes in the heart of Miami, resulting in the tragic loss of the three crew members and a security guard. The incident underscores the challenges and risks faced by pilots during critical moments in flight.

US Airways Flight 1549 departs from LaGuardia Airport, heading for Charlotte, North Carolina. Shortly after takeoff, the plane loses all engine power due to a bird strike. Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Skiles quickly assess the situation and decide to land the plane on the Hudson River. The passengers brace for impact, and the plane lands smoothly on the water, becoming an unlikely boat. The crew and passengers work together to evacuate onto the wings and slide rafts, and all 150 passengers and the crew are brought to safety, demonstrating the effectiveness of proper emergency procedures.

Asiana Flight 214 is nearing the end of its flight from Seoul to San Francisco. As the plane approaches the runway, passengers and the crew sense something is wrong. The pilots struggle to maintain control, and the plane crashes, tearing off the tail and causing an engine to catch fire. The passengers and crew face a daunting evacuation, with some using makeshift stairs formed by the crumpled fuselage. Fire crews at San Francisco International Airport battle to prevent the fire from spreading, and eventually, all passengers are safely evacuated, highlighting the importance of quick and coordinated emergency responses.