What Went Wrong: Countdown to Catastrophe

On Aug. 14, 2018, the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy, collapsed, sending vehicles and tons of rubble to the ground 50 meters below, killing 43 people. What went wrong with the Morandi Bridge and how did the design and maintenance of one of Genoa’s most iconic structures lead to its demise? Engineers provide insight, and survivors tell their incredible stories.

On June 3, 1998, a high-speed Deutsche Bahn train traveling at 200 Kph derailed and crashed into a road bridge near the village of Eschede in northern Germany, killing 101 and injuring 100. It was the worst rail disaster in the history of Germany and the most catastrophic high-speed train crash every recorded in the world. What went wrong?

On January 28, 1986 NASA lost seven astronauts when a booster engine failed, causing the Shuttle Challenger to break apart just 73 seconds after launch. But what exactly went wrong during the launch and in the preparations for the big day that led to such a catastrophic failure? Seven astronauts died and the Shuttle program suspended.

Between 1976 and 2003, the Concorde epitomized aerodynamic elegance and aviation luxury, crossing the Atlantic in a mere three hours, at twice the speed of sound. Then on July 25, 2000, Air France Flight 4590 crashed shortly after take off from Charles de Gaulle airport, in Paris, killing all 109 people aboard in a fiery crash. What went wrong in the Concorde?

The missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 plane is the most mysterious aircraft accident since the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. Billions have been spent to find the wreck of the airliner that disappeared with all 228 passengers on board. Could the tragedy have been avoided with better coordination between military and civilian air traffic controllers? Will MH370 ever be located?