Thanks to our Patron Chris Stallard for requesting this episode! Thanks also to Dr. Chris Yakacki for guesting on this episode!

Photo Sources:

Video Source:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CatastrophicFailure/comments/goquf2/explosive_decompression_test_on_a_model_of_a_de/

Research Sources:

https://lessonslearned.faa.gov/Comet1/G-ALYP_Report.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2iklFpFAAV3va4bRQMohG4at6aevZU-a5ZSriByInzyF6tqQWbmGWb1ww

https://blog.privatefly.com/history-of-the-nato-phonetic-alphabet?fbclid=IwAR3-ef-dV6FDlre9Vzttwj0hHCuMvQ8pCIYMESzDZ8mjnMtHV8Axkr0UeAY#:~:text=British%20forces%20adopted%20the%20RAF,words%20for%20A%20and%20B

“Comet Air Crash.” Seconds from Disaster , season 3, episode 8, National Geographic, 15 Nov. 2006.

Episode also featuring Dr. Chris Yakacki:

September 8, 2026

ALM980

On May 2, 1970, An ALM DC-9 is flying to St. Maarten, but they don’t end up landing there. What caused this flight to need to ditch?

September 1, 2026

TK1951

On February 25, 2009, A Turkish Airlines flight is landing in Amsterdam, but they don’t make it to the runway. What caused this flight to crash land while on their descent?

August 25, 2026

RV8

On June 8, 1983, A Lockheed Electra is doing a domestic flight from Cold Bay, Alaska to Seattle, Washington, but it does not make it very far. What caused this flight to need to make an emergency landing?

August 18, 2026

56-3755/ UAL736

On April 21, 1958, A United Airlines DC-7 is doing a routine flight over Las Vegas when they suddenly start plummeting toward the ground. What caused the unfortunate end to this flight, and how did it change aviation thereafter?