THE FLIGHT 981 DISASTER: Tragedy, Treachery, and the Pursuit of Truth

Part of Smithsonian's Air Disaster series, the book is based on the popular television series that uncovers the truth behind devastating air disasters. Smithsonian Channel's Air Disasters television series has won numerous awards, including a Canadian Screen Award and a Gemini Award

THE FLIGHT 981 DISASTER is the gripping true tale of a devastating crash, a manufacturer's cover-up, and the race to prevent further loss of life.

On June 12, 1972, a powerful explosion rocked American Airlines Flight 96 a mere five minutes after its takeoff from Detroit. The explosion ripped a gaping hole in the bottom of the aircraft and jammed the hydraulic controls. Miraculously, despite the damage and ensuing chaos, the pilots were able to land the plane safely. Less than two years later, on March 3, 1974, a sudden, forceful blowout tore through Turk Hava Yollari (THY) Flight 981 from Paris to London. THY Flight 981 was not as lucky as Flight 96; it crashed in a forest in France, and none of the 346 people onboard survived. What caused the mysterious explosions? How were they linked? Could they have been prevented? THE FLIGHT 981 DISASTER addresses these questions and many more, offering a fascinating insiders' look at two dramatic aviation disasters. Chittum brings readers inside the high-stakes investigation and enigma surrounding the crash, keeping them guessing as this historical mystery unspools.

The Library Journal wrote the following: “Journalist Chittum debuts with a new work in the Smithsonian “Air Disasters” series, a companion to the titular show on the Smithsonian Channel. The narrative focuses on two aviation disasters involving DC-10 airliners: one in June 1972 outside of Detroit and the other in March 1974, which crashed in a forest in France and left no survivors. [...] it is apparent that Chittum has done her research, presenting a good amount of information in a relatively brief work. [...] Fans of the series and readers interested in aviation disasters will enjoy the book”

Series Overview: The Smithsonian Air Disasters series explores the most devastating plane crashes in the history of commercial aviation. Each volume presents not only the scenario and circumstances surrounding the crash and its immediate aftermath, but also the quest to investigate the causes, as well as the ongoing implementation of security and safety regulations to prevent them from happening again.

Cineflix, the production company that makes the television shows, provided the following list of who airs the series in various countries.

NatGeo Int'l (World excluding North America)
RMC Decouverte, France
TV3 Catalunya, Spain
Mega, Spain
SBS Holland
RTL Belgium (French language)
Sky TV New Zealand
Seven Australia
New TV Thailand (Ch18)
Nippon Japan
SAGA syndication China
CCTV China
Canada – Discovery
Germany, Austria, CH – NGCI, N24 (some eps), Kabel eins doku (some eps).
Fox / Nat Geo Finland
Channel 5 UK
RTE Ireland
DRTV Denmark
Czech Television
ETV PTY Limited, Africa
Stopklatka S.A., Poland
Tanweer Alliances, Cyprus
Marjan Television Networks, Middle East
Slovak TV
TRD Televizja Sitel, Macedonia

Samme Chittum is a narrative journalist and Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship recipient who explores the intersection of current events and history. Her work has been published by the New York Times, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, and the Village Voice.