Seconds From Disaster Season 2 Episode 7 Crash Landing in Sioux City

On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 was en route to Chicago from Denver with 296 people onboard, including crew members and passengers. Midway through the flight, one of the plane's three tail-mounted engines suddenly failed due to a manufacturing defect, causing shrapnel to damage hydraulic systems and rendering them useless. As a result, the plane lost all control over its elevators, rudder, and ailerons.

The flight crew, consisting of Captain Al Haynes, First Officer Bill Records, Second Officer Dudley Dvorak, and Training Captain Dennis Fitch, realized the gravity of the situation and began to search for a way to regain control of the aircraft and make an emergency landing. Using the remaining engine power, they attempted to use throttle adjustments to steer the plane.

As they descended into Sioux City, Iowa, they realized that they would have to land the plane with no functioning landing gear. The flight crew worked with air traffic control and emergency response teams to prepare for the crash landing. As they approached the runway, Captain Haynes made a heroic decision to purposely crash the plane in order to minimize the loss of life.

The plane crashed and burst into flames upon impact, leading to the deaths of 111 people. However, the heroic efforts of the flight crew and emergency response teams saved the lives of 185 people onboard.

This episode of Seconds From Disaster explores the technical malfunctions and decision-making that led to this tragic event, as well as the heroic efforts of those who worked to save as many lives as possible. Through interviews with survivors and experts in the aviation industry, the episode offers a gripping and detailed look at the events leading up to the crash and the lessons learned in its aftermath.