Mayday Season 4 Episode 1 Desperate Escape

On May 11, 1996, ValuJet Flight 592 is cruising at 33,000 feet on its way to Atlanta when a sudden fire erupts in the cargo hold. The pilots attempt to divert the plane to the nearest airport, but within minutes, they lose control and crash into the Florida Everglades, killing all 110 people on board.

In the aftermath, investigators must piece together what happened, focusing on the hazardous materials in the cargo hold and the oversight failures of the airline. Survivors and families of the victims offer emotional testimony, and experts use simulations and reconstructions to uncover the cause of the tragedy.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the plane's cargo hold was not properly inspected or maintained, and that the airline had been cutting corners to save money. Families of the victims sue the airline for compensation, while ValuJet faces the consequences of its negligence.

Through interviews with those involved and dramatic reenactments, "Desperate Escape" offers a sobering look at the deadly consequences of airline safety failures.