Mayday!

The last thing you'd expect on a snowy Chicago day is for a Boeing 737 to crash into your house. Additionally, the last thing you'd expect as a passenger is a captain with 18,000 flight hours to make a series of mistakes that would ultimately kill you. But for Richard Nixon, in the aftermath of Watergate, the crash of United 553 was surprisingly convenient. How are a United Airlines flight and the Watergate scandal related? And was this an accident? Or is there more than meets the eye? Tune into today's episode as Caroline and Trevor find out.

View a complete list of the names of the passengers here, with children and infants noted specially:
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15250427/passenger-list-of-flight-553/

Nothing bad can happen in Hawaii, right? Wrong. Over the ocean between the Hawaiian islands in 1988, a terrifying mid-air failure caused a tragic event never seen before (or since) in aviation history. What do you do as a pilot when the plane begins to disintegrate in midair... but is still somehow in one piece? And how do you survive as a passenger when the only physical barrier between you and certain death is a twenty-year-old seatbelt? Tune into today's episode as Caroline and Megan explore this movie-worthy flight.

On the second part of our two-part series on TWA 800, we explore the baffling final conclusions of the official investigation, and many, MANY very spicy conspiracy theories. Which theories are ridiculous and which ones are plausible? Do any of these theories hold any merit at all? We will leave that choice up to you.

To remember the passengers, here is the flight manifest:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm

To visit the TWA memorial, check out their website:
https://twa-flight-800.edan.io/

On a summer day in 1996, a fiery blast rocked the streets of New York.  In the clear blue sky, a horrific sight emerged: a Boeing 747 carrying over 200 people had been destroyed in a massive mid-air explosion. Everyone on board was killed. However, the sadness and grief soon turned to rage as a highly controversial investigation ensued. Was this an accident? Was this terrorism? Or was this a horrible mistake that turned into a government coverup? Tune in as Caroline and returning guest Gabe take on this notorious and tragic case.

On September 2, 1998, over 200 people met their demise when Swissair 111 slammed into the ocean. The cause, judging by the CVR and ATC communications, was a fire. But where did this fire come from? Terrorism? An accident? Manufacturer error? Find out the cause of this tragic crash, and discover how families of the dead passengers took action, in this final episode of our two-part series.

On September 2, 1998, Swissair 111 (aka, "The UN Shuttle") took off from JFK in what was supposed to be a routine flight to Switzerland. However, unbeknownst to the crew, a fatal item laying dormant in the aircraft was about to come alive, with disastrous consequences. What follows is one of the most tragic losses of life in the late 20th century. Tune into the first episode of this two-part series as Caroline and Alex explore how this flight unfolds.

FIRST EPISODE OF NEW TUESDAY RELEASE SCHEDULE! 

Ever wondered what would happen to you if your flight ran out of fuel at cruising altitude? Ever wondered what would happen if a plane crashed into an active car race track? Ever wondered how it would feel to have a parade to celebrate the worst mistake of your life? Well, you're about to find out. Tune in to part two of our series on the Gimli Glider, Canada's aviation claim to fame, as Caroline and Alex cover the dramatic landing of the crippled Boeing 767.

On a beautiful 1983 summer day in Canada, a Boeing 767 was set at cruising altitude, bound for Edmonton. No one on board knew that their flight was about to become one of the most infamous flights in aviation history. Beneath the skin of the plane, something sinister was brewing: empty fuel tanks. Due to a tragic series of mistakes, less than half the necessary fuel was put into the aircraft, which carried 69 people on board. As the plane neared fuel exhaustion, the pilots realize too late that they've made a grave miscalculation. What happens when you run out of fuel at 40,000 feet? What can you do as a pilot, if anything? We're about to find out. Tune in to this episode as Caroline and Alex explore this notorious flight.

There is something about flight that brings out the dangerous, impulsive side of human beings. Aviation is riddled with stories of hijackings, murder, miracles, and disasters. This week, Caroline dives into a highlight reel of aviation short stories. Buckle your seat belts because today, our subject matter spans all the way from a presidential assassination attempt, to a fake priest with a gun, to high-stakes order of ham and cheese sandwiches.

On a frigid January day in 2009, Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger pulled off a feat never accomplished before: a water landing after dual engine failure due to a bird strike at low altitude. The best part? Everyone survived. Seven years later, they made a movie out of it. But is the movie accurate? Is the movie even enjoyable? And what happened to the geese?! Tune in to this episode as Caroline and guest Trevor explore this extraordinary event, and compare it to the critically-acclaimed film that followed.

Hang onto your tea cups, because this British flight is about to leave you breathless... since there's an explosive decompression at 17,500 feet. In the summer of 1990, one of the most unreal, miraculous flights in aviation history occurred in the English skies. With one pilot flying, and the other half-sucked out of the aircraft after a structural failure, the pressure is on to pull off the impossible and save the lives of nearly 100 people on board. Tune in this week to join Caroline and returning guest Justin as we discuss this miraculous, movie-worthy flight. 

Disclaimer: I have a terrible English accent that just sounds Australian. So I apologize to our British listeners. You guys are awesome.

On November 12, 2001, just eight weeks after 9/11, America experienced its second-deadliest plane crash in the country's history. American Airlines 587 spun out of the sky and crashed into a New York neighborhood, leaving behind a massive crater, and a ton of questions. Was this another act of terrorism? A systemic failure? Or simply human error? Tune into this episode as Caroline and guest Dana discuss this terrible accident, and try to understand aerodynamics via food metaphors.

To remember the victims of this crash, you can find a full list of their names and countries here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/articles/flight587victimslist.htm

Just four months ago, China Eastern Airlines 5735 crashed into the side of a mountain with over a hundred passengers and crew on board, killing everyone instantly. But the cause of this tragedy would elude investigators, and is still unknown today. However, what has been uncovered so far is painting a dark and disturbing picture of the events that took place in the cockpit moments before impact. Join Caroline on today's special episode, the investigation of what we know so far about China Eastern 5735.

On a snowy day in January 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 fell from the sky, crushed a bridge, and smashed through the ice of the Potomac River. But the tragic series of events that led to this crash is only half the story. Heroism, sacrifice, and bravery created a rescue effort like none other to save the survivors of Air Florida 90. But not everyone who survived the initial crash would make it out of the Potomac River alive. Tune into this tear-jerker of an episode as Caroline and Drew dive into this historic accident.

To learn more about Arland D. Williams Jr. and his legacy:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arland_D._Williams_Jr.

This episode is dedicated to my grandfather, Charles Miller, who passed away on July 9, 2022 after a life of piloting, submarine building, and engineering. Rest in peace, Pa.

Hold onto your hats, because this flight is about to literally turn upside-down. In 1994, an unassuming FedEx flight from Memphis became the scene of one of the most dramatic, violent, and ultimately heroic scenes in aviation history. One man with a guitar case full of weapons had a homicidal plan, and he would prove to stop at nothing to carry it out. The only thing standing between the crew and their certain death was bravery, hand-to-hand combat, and the most daring arial maneuvers ever executed on a DC-10. Join Caroline and Patrick as they discuss this harrowing and unbelievable event, and develop an irrational fear of hammers. 

We're number one! In... plane crashes. On three separate occasions, American Airlines Flight 1 crashed in a violent fireball, leaving no survivors each time. But what's the story behind these tragic events? And why doesn't American Airlines retire this ill-fated flight number? Caroline and Michael discuss this fatal trio of disasters, as well as critique the safety shortcuts of American plane manufacturing.

Cracking open black boxes that have been hidden for years at the bottom of the ocean is tough business. What's even tougher business is facing the reality of what brought down Air France 447, what (or who) killed hundreds of people, and hearing the final words of long-dead pilots.
Join Caroline and Monika as we finish our two part series on one of the deadliest and most mysterious crashes of the 21st century.

To pay respects to those who lost their lives in this tragic accident, the complete passenger list with names, ages, home countries, and occupations is available here:
https://www.news18.com/news/india/list-of-passengers-onboard-af-flight-447-317581.html

For the 13th anniversary of this tragic event, we'll be visiting the mystery of Air France 447. On June 1, 2009, one of the safest planes in the sky went missing over the ocean with over 200 people on board. Soon, they were all presumed dead.  In the months following the crash, very little was found of the ill-fated Airbus A330. However, investigators never stopped searching for the wreckage that lay on the ocean floor. And years after the fact, they made a discovery 13,000 feet beneath the surface that would shock the world. 

Tune into this episode as Caroline and Monika explore one of the most darkly fascinating flights of all time, and also theorize what it would be like to be attacked by the Kraken at 36,000 feet.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes brief descriptions of bodily harm and decomposition.

On a sunny May afternoon in 2002, China Airlines flight 611 took off toward Hong Kong International Airport. Tragically, none of the 225 people on board would survive the flight. In one of the world's most dramatic crashes, and Taiwan's deadliest plane crash of all time, the story of China Airlines 611 teaches a grim lesson that past mistakes always come back to haunt you. Even if the mistakes happened 22 years ago... and the mistakes weren't made by you. In observance of the 20th anniversary of this crash, Caroline and Justin discuss this horrific and preventable tragedy.

We run out of gas in our cars all the time. It is, at worst, a very annoying inconvenience. But how does a passenger plane run out of fuel? On January 25, 1990, a Boeing 707 with 150 on board crashed into a backyard in Long Island, tearing apart on impact. The cause? The plane had burned through over 70,000 pounds of fuel on its flight. But how did this happen? And who is responsible for the deaths of 75 people? Caroline and Alex discuss this hotly-debated international flight gone horribly wrong.

Most adults have had a drink or two on a plane. But your pilot is always sober... right? Not always.  Aeroflot 821 and Trans-Colorado 2286 are two fatal flights that serve as a historic reminder about sobriety to pilots across the globe. Caroline and Drew delve into the completely preventable tragedies caused by pilots that were under the influence on this episode. Caroline also gets mad at the pilots, and swears a lot.

In the first installment of a surely never-ending series on passengers making bad choices on planes, Caroline and Brendan discuss in-flight incidents from plastic knife wielding to wine bottle smashing.
NOTE: Microphone issues happened quite a bit here, but we did our best. Don't get mad at me, please.

America endured its worst air disaster in history at Chicago O'Hare in the 1970s. But chances are, you've never heard of it. What caused this dramatic accident, and who (or what) should be held accountable for the deaths of nearly 300 people? Caroline and Gabe are here to give you all the information you need, as well as their own opinions that no one asked for (but we're telling you anyway.)

We've all wondered as some point: Will the airline I choose cause my demise? The answer is: Maybe. Tune in to this episode to learn all about the surprising rankings of United States and global airlines, and learn about some of the most perplexing accidents to happen aboard commercial flight. Sibling duo Caroline and Drew deliver the news, and also talk about hobbits and dragons.

A seemingly harmless conversation links two fatal crashes to one another in the late 1980s. But what do they have in common? And who is truly to blame? Caroline and Brendan investigate and discuss this alarming disaster caused by laziness and oversight.
NOTE: Microphone issues were rampant, causing sound issues. We tried our best.