Ep 12. The Invisible Plane

In Air Disasters season 11 episode 12, titled "The Invisible Plane," viewers are taken back to December 16, 1960, when United Airlines Flight 826 and Trans World Airlines Flight 266 collided in midair above Staten Island, New York. The accident, which resulted in the deaths of all 128 people on board the two planes and six people on the ground, was one of the deadliest aviation disasters of its time.

At the time, air traffic control relied heavily on radar to keep track of planes in the air. While the technology was considered state-of-the-art at the time, it was still relatively new and there were limitations to its effectiveness. In the case of Flight 826 and Flight 266, both planes were equipped with transponders, which could send and receive signals to air traffic control. However, a problem with one of the planes' transponders would ultimately play a critical role in the collision.

As the episode unfolds, the audience is taken through the events leading up to the crash, from the moment the two planes departed from their respective airports to the moment they collided in the sky. Using a combination of archival footage, interviews with surviving family members and experts, and reenactments, the episode paints a vivid picture of the chaos and confusion that followed the collision.

One of the key themes that emerges in the episode is the concept of human error. While the technology at the time was certainly not perfect, it was clear that mistakes were made by both air traffic control and the pilots themselves. For example, the crew of Flight 826 made a crucial error when they misidentified the other plane as a military aircraft, leading them to take evasive action that ultimately put them in the path of Flight 266.

Another central theme of the episode is the power of community. While the disaster was certainly a tragedy, it was heartening to see how the people of New York came together in the aftermath to offer support and comfort to those affected by the crash. We hear from survivors and witnesses who describe the incredible acts of kindness they experienced in the days and weeks following the disaster, from strangers opening up their homes to families who had lost loved ones to citizens volunteering their time to help with the recovery effort.

Overall, "The Invisible Plane" is a powerful and emotional episode that highlights the devastating consequences of a complex array of factors, from technological limitations to human error. It is a stark reminder of the importance of ongoing improvements and advancements in the field of aviation safety, and a tribute to the many lives that were lost in the tragedy.