Smithsonian TV Guide — Sunday, 19 July 2026

Browse the full Smithsonian TV guide for Sunday, 19 July 2026. 24 programmes listed , including 6 tonight. US listings updated daily — scroll down to tonight's highlights or use the day tabs above to browse the weekly schedule.

Early Morning

00:00 1h

Bird vs. Plane: Miracle on the Hudson

True Special

A team of forensic ornithologists look at ways they can prevent planes from future bird strikes after a flight was forced to make an emergency landing.

01:00 1h

Crash of the Concorde

True Special

An in-depth look of the July 2000 crash of an Air France Concorde jet provides insight into the unfortunate series of events that led to the accident.

02:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

Take Off Tragedies True

Take Off Tragedies

When three different flights ended in tragedy, officials discover proof that minor missteps during takeoff can have disastrous consequences.

03:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

S7 · E7 · Flight 574: Lost True

Flight 574: Lost

A 2007 Indonesian flight crashed in the Makassar Strait, and authorities concluded that the pilots inadvertently disconnected the autopilot.

04:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

S1 · E6 · Killer in the Cockpit? True

Killer in the Cockpit?

Cases in which a pilot deliberately crashes or attempts to crash an aircraft in a suicide attempt are presented, unleashing their plans on innocent passengers.

05:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

S14 · E6 · The Death of JFK Jr. Documentary

The Death of JFK Jr.

When John F. Kennedy Jr.'s Piper Saratoga crashed in July 1999, speculation was rampant all over the world, and the NTSB was under pressure to find answers.

Morning

06:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

S3 · E13 · Ocean Landing True

Ocean Landing

After Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 is taken over by three crazed political fugitives, the heroic pilot tries an emergency landing.

07:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E30 · Arizona Travel

Arizona

The Copper State is famous for the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, but its rich history means there is plenty more to see.

08:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E23 · Colorado Travel

Colorado

The state defined by the Rocky Mountains has some of America's tallest peaks and highest sand dunes, and it is home to the U.S.' largest single-site brewery.

09:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E44 · Nebraska Travel

Nebraska

Nebraska's desert plains have become the cornfields and cattle ranges that help feed the planet, and it has given the world Johnny Carson and Warren Buffett.

10:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E54 · Wisconsin Travel

Wisconsin

The state known for its production of beer and dairy products has family-owned farms, golden autumnal forests, limestone outcroppings and a rich history.

11:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E2 · Hawaii Travel

Hawaii

The show's team flies over the islands, capturing footage of big-wave surfers, pineapple plantations and a live, close-up overhead look at an erupting volcano.

Daytime

12:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E55 · Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands Travel

Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands

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

13:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E21 · Michigan Travel

Michigan

Michigan's elements changed the world, from assembly lines that made it possible for everyone to own a car to a record company that shaped popular culture.

14:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E67 · The Wild West Travel

The Wild West

From the skies, the American West is full of natural and man-made wonders such as St. Louis' Gateway Arch and the vast, pristine Alaskan wilderness.

15:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E66 · The South Travel

The South

An aerial tour of America's South encompasses the site of an infamous prisoner-of-war camp and the home of a colony of English settlers who vanished.

16:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E45 · Best Small Towns Travel

Best Small Towns

An aerial tour from coast to coast captures the charm of America's most interesting small towns, from California to Florida with many visits in between.

17:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E175 · Dazzling Destinations Travel

Dazzling Destinations

A tour of America's most popular destinations from above includes the Badlands, Nantucket, the National Mall and more.

Evening

18:00 1h

Aerial America

S1 · E9 · Maine Travel

Maine

A flyover reveals picturesque Maine's rugged coastline, remote islands and vast, densely forested central wilderness and shows the state's beauty.

19:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

S21 · E8 · Pitch Black True

Pitch Black

A pilots mishandling of an electrical problem causes Air Illinois Flight 710 to crash into an open field in poor weather, killing all 10 passengers on board.

20:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

S20 · E2 · Impossible Pitch True

Impossible Pitch

A report is shared on the accident of a West Air Sweden Flight near Lake Akkajaure in Sweden during a cargo flight, which killed both crew members.

21:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

S25 · E3 · Power Struggle Documentary

Power Struggle

Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 crashed into the Java Sea after a hard left bank, revealing deadly defects in the investigation that followed.

22:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

S23 · E5 · Control Catastrophe Documentary

Control Catastrophe

A team of experts investigates a string of unfortunate events which caused the Air Astana Flight 1388 to become completely uncontrollable.

23:00 1h

Mayday: Air Disaster

S25 · E3 · Power Struggle Documentary

Power Struggle

Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 crashed into the Java Sea after a hard left bank, revealing deadly defects in the investigation that followed.