Air Crash Investigation Special Report

Mistaken identity and hostile fire over enemy territory are among the many risks that pilots face in war zones around the world. Operation Baby Lift, Iran Air 655, and DHL Flight OO-DLL are examined in detail.

Haste in the Airline Industry is never good, and three flights are examined where crews skipped procedures, missed warnings, and made incorrect decisions. Turkish Flight 1951, Continental Flight 1713 and Ansett Flight 703.

From metal fatigue to faulty repairs, three doomed airlines are eventually brought down by gradually deteriorating parts. Air Moorea Flight 1121, Japan Airlines Flight 123 and Chalk's Flight 101.

Although rare, mid air collisions do occur, and are usually preceded by inattention, poor judgment and circumstance. United Flight 718 + TWA Flight 2, Proteus Airlines Flight 706 and Embraer Legacy Jet + Gol Flight 1907.

With zero margin for error, three catastrophes are narrowly averted by pilots who somehow manage to land their damaged planes. Southwest Airlines Flight 1380, Aloha Airlines Flight 243 and Air Canada Flight 797.

Failures in pilot training lead to catastrophe in the cockpit. West Caribbean Flight 708, Logan Air Flight 6780 and YAK-Service Flight 9633.

Three flights suffer catastrophic computer errors that force investigators to dig deep for clues. Alitalia Flight 404, Qantas Flight 72 and Santa Barbara Airlines Flight 518.

Sometimes aircraft accidents cannot be attributed to anything other than poor aircrew performance. China Airlines Flight 140, Manx2 Flight 7100 and Aeroflot Flight 593

One of the most unpredictable factors in aviation is wind. It has been known to be so variable as to cause aviation accidents. USAir Flight 1016, TANS Perú Flight 204 and Hurricane hunters NOAA42 incident are investigated.

Sabotage can come in many forms in the airline industry, from bombs, to hijackers, or even suicidal pilots. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961, Italia Airlines Flight 870 and LAM Airlines Flight 470.