Horrific Mid-Air Collision May Have Been Caused by Sightseeing Detour | Air Disasters | Smithsonian

Did a desire by the pilots of United 718 and TWA 2 to make sure their passengers got a great view of the Grand Canyon lead to a catastrophic June 30, 1956 mid-air collision? Investigators weigh up the facts.

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[napoleonibonaparte]

This is why flying cars will not happen/be mass-adopted.

[johnny]

It's a wonder there weren't alot more crashes back in the dark ages of aviation. They really were banging rocks together back then.

[captainbossman]

Fun fact: The guy who played the captain of the TWA flight is also the narrator of the show on discovery channel.

[AirplaneGuy]

If I ever see a Smithsonian recording crew on a plane, I know I’ll die

[vivekanandan]

Sky is so vast, with up, down, sides all open.... Yet such incidents shock

[arober]

Very good job fellows!! Congratulations.
There was a thunderstorm so they had to avoid it. Only to find lots of clouds and few seconds to react.

[bkharpal]

Nice short presentation, explains everything in few minutes, but feel sorry for all on board, RIP

[crimony]

Like two outfielders running for the same pop fly ball. The canyon was the objective that drew the two planes together.

[popperroux]

Video: “the crash killed 128 people”

Also video: “its brighter here”

Wow even *I* think this is wrong.

[Sahilprakash]

2:24, 2:29 Captain Robert "Bob" Shirley: DAMN what's he doing there? Ah, pull up pull-up

[Aircraft.]

2:24 Damn! What's he doing there?!
-Bob Shirley
2:29 Pull Up! Pull Up!
-Bob Shirley
This would be later surpassed by the New York Mid Air Collision in 1960 involving United Airlines and Trans World Airlines
At the time in 1960 United Airlines had upgraded from Turboprops to Jets the DC-8-11 was the aircraft used that day as for Trans World Airlines it was still using turboprops before upgrading to Jets after the collision
June 30th‚ 1956‚
Grand Canyon Mid Air Collision
United 718 & TWA 2
Survivors:0 (from both planes)
even if UAL718 managed to avoid TWA 2 it would likely bank further towards the ground before impacting the ground therefore killing everyone onboard as for TWA 2 it would fly towards its Destination unaware of the crash of United Airlines Flight 718 until August 2nd‚ 1956
The DC-7 had no TCAS ( Traffic Collision Avoidance System) which meant that the crew of United 718 had to Visually scan the skies for traffic it wasn't until 1981 when the FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration) decided to implement the TCAS on all planes since it would make the job of scanning for nearby traffic that much easier for every pilot out there
however the TCAS's instructions sometimes lead to tragedy
The 2002 Überlingen Mid Air Collision had two planes (DHL 611) & (BTC2937) that collided after the Bashkirian Flight denied the instruction to climb until deciding on it just minutes before colliding with the DHL Flight
All because of the sightseeing cost them their lives
Remember
Human Lives are much more worth than a simple sightseeing detour that can be done on the ground i.e touring the Grand Canyon ( where the accident occurred)

[royharper]

All crashes involving death are sad and tragic. What makes this one worse is they knew were they headed

[cupofjoen]

We have a lot of in air collision and because of that, airplanes now have TA/RA TCAS built on all airliner.

[marcmclane]

Spectacular view....CLOSE UP... PILOT WAS JUST SHOWING OFF...I'M Sure all on board were thrilled....THE GROUND....IT'S MUCH SAFER....

[davidnavarro]

0:26 Same actor who played the copilot in Mayday’s first episode!

[Winslet-]

Jeez im so addicted to this Vids💀
Its so Much better to watch but rip to the People who died

[Railman]

Honestly, it seems like the United Airlines flight could've just dived under the TWA craft, seems to have had enough clearence. Then again, the tail might've still struck the TWA plane.

[ReyRey_Plays]

Only if Jack Gandy Decended or turned left or right it could have been avoided

[G-ycrb]

air control.

United: 21, 000 feet
TWA: 19, 000 feet
❌️

United: 21, 000 feet
TWA: 21, 000
✅️

[FunnyBoneMan]

“Salt lake city 718, we are going in.”-United flight 718 last words…