A Great British Air Disaster

This narrative chronicles the ascent and decline of the De Havilland Comet, the first jet airliner designed for passengers. During the peak of World War II, a clandestine group of forward-thinking British scientists embarked on creating a groundbreaking aircraft that would usher in a new age of aviation. When the Comet began its service in May 1952, it quickly became a favorite among travelers. However, in a span of just four months in early 1954, two Comet planes exploded mid-flight, resulting in the tragic loss of all passengers and crew on board. The abrupt and enigmatic nature of these disasters cast doubt on the future of passenger jet travel. Under the direct orders of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a team of top British aviation specialists was convened to uncover the cause of the accidents. In their quest to solve the mystery, they established the foundational principles of modern air crash investigation, many of which continue to be employed today.