When Lightning Strikes
Episode description
On December 8, 1963, Pan Am N709PA, a Boeing 707 with the call sign "Clipper 214," exploded in flight just minutes from its final destination. Thunderstorms delayed that landing and frequent lightning around the plane made the passengers uneasy. But lightning doesn't cause airliner crashes, so the crew took no special measures to avoid the lightning. And then the plane exploded, killing all on board. Investigators quickly ruled out lightning, focusing instead on sabotage, metal fatigue and turbulence. As evidence was gathered, it became apparent that the impossible had become possible: the cause of the crash was lightning. What happened to Clipper 214 and what happened to the aviation industry after the crash? Radar Contact Lost will examine the crash, the meteorology, the sweeping changes to aircraft construction and regulations, as well as a look at the future of aircraft safety in the highly-charged environment of aircraft skin. Join the RCL team to learn about aviation weather from the meteorologists and pilots who deal with this phenomenon every day.