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.
The best episode of "Mayday" season 1 is "Racing the storm", rated 7.6/10 from 204 user votes. It was directed by Léo Singer and written by N/A. "Racing the storm" aired on 9/3/2003 and is rated 0.5 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Unlocking Disaster".
On June 1, 1999, American Airlines Flight 1420 tries to land at the Little Rock National Airport during a storm, but overruns the runway, killing eleven people.
Director: Léo Singer
Writer: N/A
On February 24, 1989, United Airlines Flight 811 is flying above the Pacific Ocean, when part of the right-side fuselage is ripped off, ejecting nine people from the aircraft and causing explosive decompression. The flight later lands safely at Honolulu without any more loss of life.
Director: Bryn Higgins
Writer: Andrew Weir
On October 2, 1996, shortly after take off, the crew of Aeroperú Flight 603 is confused by false speed and altitude readings and contradictory warnings from the aircraft's air data system. In preparation for an emergency landing, the crew descends the aircraft, but unknowingly descend too far by relying on the false readings. The Boeing 757 crashes into the water, killing everyone on board.
Director: Gary Lang
Writer: Gary Lang
On August 24, 2001, Air Transat Flight 236 runs out of fuel while flying over the Atlantic Ocean. The pilots of the aircraft glide it to a safe landing on a runway at a naval base on an island in the Azores.
Director: Bernard Vaillot
Writer: Bernard Vaillot
On January31, 2000, Alaska Airlines Flight 261's trimmable horizontal stabilizer jams and breaks free from its control system. The aircraft dives inverted into the Pacific Ocean, causing the death of all 88 on board.
Director: Greg Lanning
Writer: Andrew Weir