Air Crash Investigation

In 1991 a deadly runway collision occurred at Los Angeles International Airport. An air‑traffic controller mistakenly assigned an incoming aircraft to the same runway where a second plane was awaiting take‑off. The mistake resulted in a fatal crash, causing multiple deaths.

Cleared for Disaster's a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls within the documentary‑style genre, focusing on real‑world incidents that resulted in major safety failures. The show aims to recount the circumstances surrounding each disaster, providing viewers with a factual account of what went wrong. The episode centres on a tragic crash that occurred at Los Angeles International Airport in 1991. An air‑traffic controller directed an arriving aircraft onto a runway that was already occupied by a plane preparing for departure. The misallocation of the runway led to a fatal collision between the two aircraft. The incident highlights the critical role of air‑traffic control in managing runway usage. By assigning the inbound flight to the same strip where a departing aircraft was waiting, the controller created a situation where both planes were on a collision course. The resulting impact claimed lives and underscored the consequences of a single error. The programme details how this mistake unfolded, describing the sequence of communications and the moment the two planes met. It also points out how the tragedy prompted scrutiny of control procedures at busy airports. By focusing on this specific event, the episode illustrates the potential for catastrophic outcomes when standard protocols are breached.