Air Disasters Season 18 Episode 21 Head on Collision

As both airlines headed towards their destination, a grave miscommunication occurred between the air traffic control and the pilot on one of the planes. In episode 21 of the 18th season of Air Disasters, titled "Head on Collision", viewers are taken on a heart-stopping journey that begins with an unfortunate decision by a small charter company to fly in poor weather conditions.

In January of 2012, a Cessna Citation CJ2 departed from Sonoma County Airport in California for a routine flight to Auburn, WA. The plane was carrying a single pilot and a family of three who were trying to reach their destination ahead of a storm. Despite the bad weather warnings, the pilot decided to take off anyway. Halfway through the flight, the mission suddenly turned into a nightmare when air traffic control gave the pilot an instruction to make a U-turn.

As the pilot attempted to comply, a tragic miscommunication occurred, resulting in a deadly collision between his plane and an Alaska Airlines commercial flight departing from Los Angeles to Seattle. The two planes collided head-on, resulting in a shower of debris scattering for miles across the sky.

Air traffic control is the cornerstone of airline safety, and it is up to the controllers to ensure that planes remain safely separated from each other. In the aftermath of this accident, investigators uncovered key clues as to what went wrong on that fateful day. Did the controller underperform in his duties, or was the pilot just not able to comprehend the instruction given to him?

"Head on Collision" takes viewers through a detailed reconstruction of the events that led up to the deadly incident and reveals how air traffic rules and procedures have been changed in the aftermath of this accident. The episode also examines the effect of witnesses' testimony and the role of investigations in piecing together an accident. The story that unfolds is an unsettling reminder of the critical importance of effective communication and teamwork in the aviation industry.

Featuring testimonials by aviation experts, investigators, and legal advisors, "Head on Collision" is a gripping and educational episode that offers fascinating insights into the professions behind the skies. It is an episode that will leave viewers on the edges of their seats.