TV Guide Smithsonian Friday

An in-depth look is taken at the Dambusters bomber squadron and their actions on D-Day, the Allied invasion of the French region of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

A collection of historical footage and firsthand accounts provide a behind-the-scenes look at the Battle of Midway and how U.S. pilots won the conflict.

Experts and veterans discuss the high-speed dives and pinpoint accuracy of the Junkers Ju-87 Stukas became a symbol of German power.

An analytical look is taken at the Supermarine Spitfire and the obstacles the aircraft faced before it could take on the Luftwaffe and dominate the skies.

Narrators Beau Weaver and Bob Naughton investigate how Little Bird helicopters that started as hunter-killers became life-saving rescue aircrafts.

Narrators Beau Weaver and Bob Naughton talk about Britain's flagship super jet during the Cold War and its most thrilling flights in the late 20th century.

A flight over Puerto Rico and the Virgins reveals the stunning beauty of the Caribbean islands' towering mountains and dazzling beaches.

An in-depth look at how major cities across the country run day and night as an aerial crew share footage of the beauty and famous landmarks from each city.

An aerial survey of Missouri reveals St. Louis, Kansas City and regions in between with everything from bustling river ports to breathtaking mountain views.

Maryland and Delaware have been the sites of everything from a terminus of the Underground Railroad to the battle that inspired 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'

The sights of the Bay State span hundreds of years, including the Pilgrims' landing place, the highway on which Paul Revere rode and Boston's sports venues.

A collection of aerial views of America's natural wonders includes the story of the original debates over how the Grand Canyon was formed.

A cross-country flight showcases its mountains, beaches, national parks and other tourist attractions.

After the Flydubai Flight 981 enters a rapid descent and crashes in Russia, investigators realize that it aborted its second landing attempt in poor weather.

How three airlines were brought down by deteriorating parts.

The U.S. Airforce must investigate the most expensive accident to date when a two-billion-dollar B2 Stealth bomber crashes on takeoff in Guam February 23, 2008.

When a World War II-era fighter plane nosedives into the crowd at a Nevada air show, investigators call on the pilot's friend to help determine what went wrong.

United Express Flight 6291 crashes in Washington, D.C., killing three crewmembers and two passengers, and the cockpit voice recorder reveals the cause.

On December 1, 1993, Northwest Airlink Flight 5719 crashed into two ridges while on approach to Hibbing Airport in Minnesota, killing 16 passengers.

On April 26, 1994, China Airlines Flight 140, an Airbus A300, crashed while on route from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, Taiwan, to Nagoya, Japan.

With flames emerging through the cockpit floor, the pilots of Pilgrim Airlines flight 458 manage a heroic landing on a frozen Rhode Island reservoir.

In April 2010, a pilot for the Polish Air Force tries to land a Tupolev Tu-154M jetliner carrying Poland's president, Lech Kaczynski, on a fogged-in airstrip.

High-profile air disasters are examined through computer graphics, re-enactments, and accounts from witnesses, including their emotional aftermath.

Using official reports, transcripts and interviews with people who were on the plane when something went wrong, officials can now determine what happened.

A recently fired airline employee buys a ticket on the flight on which his supervisor commutes to work and smuggles a large revolver on board.

When a twin-engine jet streaks off the runway in Kentucky, investigators attempt to determine why the plane was unable to take off.

In 1991, a Lauda Air Boeing 767 passenger jet crashed into a Thailand jungle, and after the airline's owner pressed for answers, Boeing added safety features.

A loud thump prompts a pilot in Manchester, England to abort his takeoff, but as the Boeing 737 stops safely on the runway a fire spreads into the cabin.

On July 31, 1992, Thai Airways International Flight 311 crashed into a mountain on approach to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu killing all aboard.

A helicopter delivering workers to an offshore drilling rig near Scotland is struck by lightning and an engine fails, calling for an emergency landing.