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The Best Episodes of Descent from Disaster

Every episode of Descent from Disaster ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Descent from Disaster!

Retrace some of NZ's darkest days to reveal the stories, secrets and lessons learnt from our most famous disasters. 

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Descent from Disaster Season 1 Episode 1 - Hyde Train Crash - 1943
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - Hyde Train Crash - 1943

    S1:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Descent from Disaster Season 1 Episode 2 - Kaimai Plane Crash - 1963
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    #2 - Kaimai Plane Crash - 1963

    S1:E2

    On July 3rd 1963, a National Airways Corporation DC3 slammed into a rocky ravine deep in the Kaimai Ranges. All 23 passengers and crew were killed. Simon Gault looks back at this tragic story.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Descent from Disaster Season 1 Episode 3 - Strongman Mine Disaster - 1967
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - Strongman Mine Disaster - 1967

    S1:E3

    West Coast's Leigh Hart revisits his old hometown of Runanga, where in 1967,it was one of several West Coast towns devastated by the Strongman Mine disaster.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Descent from Disaster Season 1 Episode 4 - Shipwreck of the S.S. Wairarapa - 1894
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - Shipwreck of the S.S. Wairarapa - 1894

    S1:E4

    135 people lost their lives when the S.S. Wairarapa steamed straight into rocks on Great Barrier Island. Andrew Fagan uncovers the stories of heroism and downright cowardice on that tragic night.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Descent from Disaster Season 1 Episode 5 - Hawkes Bay Earthquake - 1931
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    #5 - Hawkes Bay Earthquake - 1931

    S1:E5

    The Hawkes Bay Earthquake of 1931 is New Zealand's deadliest earthquake with over 250 people killed and hundreds more injured. Gary McCormick looks back at this tragic event.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Descent from Disaster Season 1 Episode 6 - Influenza Pandemic - 1918
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - Influenza Pandemic - 1918

    S1:E6

    In 1918, 8500 New Zealanders lost their lives in a influenza pandemic that swept the world, Judy Bailey investigates the affect it had on New Zealand.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Descent from Disaster

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  7. Descent from Disaster Season 2 Episode 1 - Cyclone Giselle - 1968
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Cyclone Giselle - 1968

    S2:E1

    ONE News meteorologist Karen Olsen revisits one of New Zealand's worst storms. On April 9th, 1968 Cyclone Giselle hit New Zealand with a force so ferocious it sank the Wahine inter-island ferry.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Descent from Disaster Season 2 Episode 2 - Brynderwyn Bus Crash - 1963
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Brynderwyn Bus Crash - 1963

    S2:E2

    Veteran broadcaster Mark Sainsbury recounts the relatively unknown story of the 1963 Brynderwyn bus crash, which resulted in the death of 15 passengers after its brakes failed on a winding road.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Descent from Disaster Season 2 Episode 3 - Centennial Yatch Race - 1951
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - Centennial Yatch Race - 1951

    S2:E3

    Kiwi yachting legend Peter Montgomery recounts the 1951 Centennial Yacht Race disaster, where ten men died in a brutal storm shortly after setting sail from Wellington.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Descent from Disaster Season 2 Episode 4 - Taranaki Mountaineering Disaster - 1953
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - Taranaki Mountaineering Disaster - 1953

    S2:E4

    Toni Street travels to New Plymouth to rediscover the Taranaki Mountaineering Disaster.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Descent from Disaster Season 2 Episode 5 - Wreck Of The Ranui - 1950
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Wreck Of The Ranui - 1950

    S2:E5

    22 lives were lost when the Ranui capsized, leaving families heartbroken and the small seaside communities of Mount Maunganui and Tauranga shattered. Presented by Peter Elliott.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Descent from Disaster Season 2 Episode 6 - Ruapheu Plane Crash - 1948
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Ruapheu Plane Crash - 1948

    S2:E6

    Former One News weatherman Jim hickey recounts the tragic 1948 National Airways Corporation plane crash on Mt Ruapehu. At the time this was the worst civilian plane crash in New Zealand.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Hyde Train Crash - 1943" is the best rated episode of "Descent from Disaster". It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 7/16/2013. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Kaimai Plane Crash - 1963".