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In the conclusion of "When Delta Flight 191 Crashed into the Ground One Mile Short of the Runway," we will look at the complicated way weather information moves from the air traffic controllers to the cockpit and the various sources of weather data the pilots have access to - both today and in 1985. We'll also examine some factors that may have been rising frustration levels on the ground and in the cockpit. Other aspects of this episode will examine the emergency response to the crash, the ensuing trials, the NTSB accident report (Findings and Probable Cause), and the way this accident accelerated technology (like Doppler radar) to such a degree that this crash has been called one of the most influential aviation disasters of all time. We'll even take a look at the theory that it is safer to sit in the rear of an airplane, as opposed to sitting up front. This crash triggered advancements in technology, safety and training that touches every commercial aircraft and every one of us who flies today.

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On August 2, 1985, a Lockheed-Martin L-1011 - Delta Flight 191 - crashed into the ground just over one mile from the runway at the Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW). It was a hot afternoon in Texas and thunderstorms were beginning to percolate. However, one of these small storms was growing at the end of Runway 17L, almost directly in front of the approaching jetliner. The plane never made it to the runway, despite being less than 2 minutes from the anticipated touch-down. The resulting catastrophe was later proclaimed to be the most influential plane crash in history. What went wrong? Was the stormy weather insurmountable? Were mistakes made by the pilots? The air traffic controllers? The meteorologists? Turns out, all were involved and mistakes were made. This is Part 1 of "When Delta Flight 191 Crashed into the Ground."

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It was a cold and snowy day in Washington, DC as passengers boarded the narrow-body Air Florida 737. The plane was sprayed with de-icing fluid while waiting at the gate, but a series of errors before the plane reached the runway, and more errors on the runway, sealed the fate of this flight. Just moments after take-off, the plane fell from the sky and crash-landed on the 14th Street Bridge and then plunged into the icy Potomac River. Only five passengers and one crew member survived the crash, while four motorists were killed on the bridge. Following the crash, heroes emerged with names still recognized today. What went wrong with Flight 90? Was it a mechanical failure? Could the weather be blamed? What role did the flight crew play in this disaster? And was the nearby train derailment, where three people died, related to the plane crash? This episode of Radar Contact Lost has the answers. Note: None of the sound effects in this episode are from the actual Air Florida crash.

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It was a cloudy, dreary July day in New York City in 1945. What was supposed to be a routine flight from Massachusetts to New Jersey to South Dakota, ended suddenly when a combat pilot with hundreds of hours in the flak-filled skies over Germany, inexplicably slammed his B-25 bomber, the Old John Feather Merchant, into the 79th floor of the most iconic building in the United States - the Empire State Building. Did this seasoned pilot let his guard down? Did the weather forecast suddenly change? Did air traffic control provide faulty information? Why didn't radar, one of the most amazing and life-saving inventions of the war, prevent this tragedy? This episode will address all of these questions and more.  Note: Sound effects in this episode are from actual B-25 Mitchell Bombers recorded at recent airshows.