Mayday poster

TV series

Mayday

2003TV-1426 seasons8.2 / 10

Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Mayday is available to stream on Paramount+ (Via Amazon Prime), Peacock, Peacock Premium, Philo, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Fubo, Amazon Freevee, The Roku Channel, and Tubi in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.

Season 2 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

← Season 1

Episode 1

Blow Out

45m8.2 / 10

On June 10, 1990, the cockpit window blows out on British Airways Flight 5390, partially ejecting and injuring the captain through the hole. A member of the cabin crew clings to his legs as the co-pilot completes an emergency landing without any fatality. The captain is found to be still alive after being outside the cockpit for 21 minutes.

Episode credits

Directed by Nigel LevyGuest stars Andrew Loudon, Howard Teale, Benedict Sandiford, Robert Curbishley, Ben Abell, Zoe Dawson, Michael Eaves, Max Cane

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Episode 2

A Wounded Bird

45m7.7 / 10

On 21 August 1995, Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 529 is climbing to its cruising altitude, when a blade on the left-side propeller comes off. The imbalance of the rotating propeller causes the engine to partly tear itself from its mounting, creating excessive drag. The aircraft rapidly loses altitude and crashes, killing nine people.

Episode credits

Directed by Phil ComeauGuest stars James McGowan, Dwayne Hill, Jacqueline Pillon, Michael Ripley, Peter Prystanski, Bobby Prochaska, Karen Waddell, Jason Knight

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Episode 3

The Killing Machine

45m7.0 / 10

On 24 December 1994, Air France Flight 8969 is hijacked on the ground at Algiers Airport. The four terrorists demand the aircraft be allowed to depart for Paris so they can blow up the aircraft over the Eiffel Tower, but the Algerian Army blocks the aircraft with vehicles and refuse to allow it to take off. Unable to carry out their plans, the terrorists kill three passengers over the next two days. The aircraft is then cleared to take off, but the crew diverts to Marseille Provence Airport. The hostage rescue team of the French Gendarmerie storms the aircraft, and after a gun battle in the cabin, the four hijackers are killed and everyone else is evacuated. It is described as "one of the most successful anti-terrorist operations in history."

Episode credits

Directed by Chantal HébertWritten by Chantal HébertGuest stars Afrah Gouda, Dylan Ramsey, Jean Pearson, Jean-Michel Nadeau, Jean-Marc Fontaine, Elizabeth Lennie, Jeremy From, Elie Gemael

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Episode 4

Deadly Crossroads

45m8.7 / 10

On 1 July 2002, Bashkirian Airlines Flight 2937 collides with DHL Flight 611 in German airspace near Überlingen. Flight 2937 is destroyed instantly, and the DHL cargo aircraft crashes shortly afterwards, killing all 71 people on board the two aircraft.

Episode credits

Directed by Phil ComeauWritten by Phil ComeauGuest stars Stephen Sparks, Bob Desrosiers, Paul Saunders, Sergei Nikolich, Philip D. Kerr, Jason Barbeck, Genadijs Dolganovs, Kresimir Bosiljevac

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Episode 5

Lost

45m7.8 / 10

On 20 December 1995, American Airlines Flight 965 is en route to Cali, Colombia. The crew members are asked if they would like to perform a straight-in approach to Cali. The pilots accept the offer, but as they are making the necessary changes, they inadvertently remove the waypoints from the flight plan in their flight management system (FMS), causing them to become unsure of their exact position. The crew members' mistakes leads them to fly the aircraft into a 9,000 foot mountain near Buga. Only four passengers and a dog survive.

Episode credits

Directed by Tim WolochatiukWritten by Tim WolochatiukGuest stars Michelle Arvizu, Don Allison, Rami Posner, Stefano DiMatteo, Keana Bastidas, Arthur Holden, Shane Harbinson, John Watson

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Episode 6

Missing Over New York

45m8.0 / 10finale

On 25 January 1990, Avianca Flight 52, a flight to New York City from Colombia, is delayed numerous times by bad weather en route and is dangerously low on fuel as it attempts a landing. Wind shear forces the crew to abort the approach just one mile from the runway. They initiate a go-around, but are directed back into a holding pattern by air traffic controllers who are unaware of the low fuel situation. The Boeing 707 then runs out of fuel, causing it to crash on Long Island near New York.

Episode credits

Directed by Michael JorgensenWritten by Michael JorgensenGuest stars Andy Velasquez, Peter Nelson, Scott McCulloch, Jarrod MacLean, Jason Faulkner, Patrick Garrow, Jon Jordan, Paul Miller

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Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026

More about Mayday

Cast

Stephen BogaertSelf - Narrator (voice)
Glen McDonaldTSB Investigator Chaulk
Ken PakASC Investigator
Daniel FalkAir Traffic Controller
Darrin BakerNTSB Investigator John DeLisi
Dan MacKayJim Caruso
Redd OchoaNTSC Investigator
Neil GirvanFlight Director

Credits

Created by
André Barro, Bernard Vaillot

Production details

Status
Returning Series
Series type
Documentary
Episodes
240
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • 5United Kingdom
  • DiscoveryCanada
  • Sky HistoryUnited Kingdom
  • National GeographicUnited Kingdom
  • National Geographic
  • Cineflix ProductionsCanada

Themes

airplane accidentairplane crashairplane wreckapprovingcrash landingdisasterexploding airplanemayday