Black Box Down

A true crime podcast in the air. Lifelong aviation enthusiast Gustavo Sorola and his co-host Chris Demarais break down the major accidents in aviation and the steps taken to prevent future disasters. If you like true-crime podcasts but want something fresh and unique, you’ll love Black Box Down. Subscribe now and fasten your seat belt.

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150 episodes
Updated Jun 29, 2023

Episodes150

Newest first

Sep 30, 2021 · 34 min
Flying Blind in the Mountains / Texas International Airlines Flight 655
A Convair CV-600 is flying at low altitude at night in mountainous terrain.
Sep 23, 2021 · 41 min
Plane Catches Fire After Landing / China Airlines Flight 120
A Boeing 737 catches fire after parking at the gate. China Airlines Flight 129 safely lands and taxis to their gate. After shutting down the engines, the right engine bursts into flames with everyone still on board. What caused this strange fire? Find out on this episode of Black Box Down.
Sep 16, 2021 · 49 min
Strong Winds Push Aircraft Off the Runway / Continental Airlines Flight 1404
A heavy crosswind pushes an aircraft off the runway during takeoff. Continental Airlines Flight 1404 is getting ready for takeoff when they notice a strong crosswind. The winds are below the maxium speed allowed, but as they begin takeoff, the wind becomes too powerful and the aircraft rolls off the runway. How powerful were these winds and why couldn't the pilots fight it? Find out on this episode of Black Box Down.
Sep 9, 2021 · 43 min
Unqualified Pilots Crash Plane / Aeroflot Flight 821
The captain and first officer get overwhelmed and crash the airplane. Aeroflot Flight 821 is approaching its destination when the two pilots get confused and overwhelmed. The captain is underqualified and neither pilot is very familiar with the plane they are flying. How did two unqualified pilots be left in charge of this flight? Find out on this episode of Black Box Down.
Sep 2, 2021 · 40 min
Fire Above the Cockpit / Swissair Flight 111
A fire rages midflight above the cockpit. Swissair Flight 111 is one hour into their flight when the crew starts smelling smoke. A fire has started in the area above the cockpit and causes the plane to crash into the ocean. What what the cause of this fire? Find out on this episode of Black Box Down.
Aug 26, 2021 · 45 min
Mysterious Crash in the Pacific / The Search for Pan Am Flight 7
A flight around the world mysteriously crashes in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Pan Am Flight 7 was on its way to Hawai'i while making several radio check ins. After failing to check in, search and rescue began and it was discovered the plane crashed North of its planned course. What happened on board this plane that led it to crash? Find out on this episode of Black Box Down.
Aug 19, 2021 · 48 min
Engine Falls Off During Takeoff / American Airlines Flight 191
An engine falls off an airplane as it is taking off. American Airlines Flight 191 has just reached takeoff speed when the engine falls off the airplane. What caused the engine to leave the aircrat and what happened to this flight? Find out on this episode of Black Box Down.
Aug 12, 2021 · 37 min
The Rise and Fall of Trijets
Gustavo tells the history of Trijets to Chris. Learn why three engine airplanes were developed and why we don't see them anymore in this bonus episode of Black Box Down.
Jul 29, 2021 · 1 hr 2 min
Chris Versus The Audience
During the Black Box Down Panel for RTX 2021, Gustavo gives both Chris and the audience a test. How well do they do? Find out on this bonus episode of Black Box Down.
Jul 15, 2021 · 1 hr 12 min
Crash of the Boeing 737 Max 8
The brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 crashes in Indonesia. Lion Air Flight 610 has trouble right after taking off from Jakarta, Indonesia. With innacurate speed and altitude indications, both pilots fight with the plane to try and stop it from diving to the ocean below. What made this plane crash? Find out in this episode of Black Box Down.
Jul 8, 2021 · 50 min
The Azores Glider
An Airbus A330 loses engine power while over the Atlantic Ocean.
Jul 1, 2021 · 39 min
Landing With Closed Curtains
The pilots on two separate flights become negligent while flying their planes. Aeroflot Flight 6502 is approaching the airport when the Captain makes a bet with the First Officer that he can land without looking. Northwest Airlines Flight 188 is supposed to land in Minneapolis but the pilots become distracted and fly past the airport. What happened to both of these flights? Find out on this episode of Black Box Down.
Jun 24, 2021 · 53 min
Was This Crash on Purpose?
A Boeing 737 suddenley dives to the ground while flying over Indonesia. SilkAir Flight 185 was operating normally when Air Traffic Control notices a severe loss of altitude from the plane on their radar. Some investigators conclude they could not find a reason for the crash, but others think the crash was intentional. What happened to this flight? Find out on this episode of Black Box Down.
Jun 17, 2021 · 45 min
Getting Lost On The Ground
A Boeing 727 is rolling down the runway when a DC-9 suddenly appears in its path.
Jun 10, 2021 · 51 min
Disappearing Off The Ireland Coast
A Boeing 747 suddenly disappears from radar over the Atlantic Ocean. Air India Flight 182 is operating normally at cruising altitude when the radar scope shows two other aircraft converge with this one. After a few moments only two radar blips remain on the screen and Flight 182 is missing. What happened to this airplane? Find out on this episode of Black Box Down.
Jun 3, 2021 · 44 min
Microburst Causes Crash in Dallas
A passenger flight crashes just before the runway in Dallas.
May 27, 2021 · 57 min
Crashing Into A Seawall
A Boeing 777 crashes in San Francisco just before the runway.
May 20, 2021 · 46 min
The Los Angeles Runway Disaster
A Boeing 737 lands while another plane is on the same runway.
May 13, 2021 · 39 min
Crashing in a California Suburb
A DC-9 collides with a Piper Archer over Los Angeles.
May 6, 2021 · 47 min
Aviation Realism in Movies with Bloody Disgusting
Gustavo Sorola and Chris Demarais are joined by Jon Grilz and Pacific Obadiah to talk about the realism of aviation in movies.

Black Box Down

Flying Blind in the Mountains / Texas International Airlines Flight 655

Plane Catches Fire After Landing / China Airlines Flight 120

Strong Winds Push Aircraft Off the Runway / Continental Airlines Flight 1404

Unqualified Pilots Crash Plane / Aeroflot Flight 821

Fire Above the Cockpit / Swissair Flight 111

Mysterious Crash in the Pacific / The Search for Pan Am Flight 7

Engine Falls Off During Takeoff / American Airlines Flight 191

The Rise and Fall of Trijets

Chris Versus The Audience

Crash of the Boeing 737 Max 8

The Azores Glider

Landing With Closed Curtains

Was This Crash on Purpose?

Getting Lost On The Ground

Disappearing Off The Ireland Coast

Microburst Causes Crash in Dallas

Crashing Into A Seawall

The Los Angeles Runway Disaster

Crashing in a California Suburb

Aviation Realism in Movies with Bloody Disgusting