Panic in the Skies! (1996) (TV)

User Rating:

4.5/10   

Director:

Paul Ziller

Writers (WGA):

Rick Rosner (story) &
Robert Hamilton (story) ...

Release Date:

13 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Terror at 35,000 Feet, and Falling.

Plot:

The cockpit of a Boeing 747 is struck by lightning during takeoff for a flight to Europe, fatally injuring the flight crew...

Plot Keywords:

Lightning | Airplane

Cast

Kate Jackson	...	Laurie Ann Pickett
Ed Marinaro	...	Brett Young
Erik Estrada	...	Ethan Walker
Maureen McCormick	...	Tukey, Walker's Assistant
Billy Warlock	...	F.A. Matt Eisenhauer
Howard Dell		(as Howard G.H. Dell)
Robert Maloney
Brandy Ledford	...	F.A. Charlene Davis
Kehli O'Byrne	...	Other Flight Attendant
Robert Guillaume	...	Rob Barnes
Michael Buie	...	Darryl (as Mike Buie)
Ken Camroux	...	Derek Green
Marilyn Norry	...	Donna Preston
Marc Baur	...	Ed Handler
Brett Stone	...	Lydia Chambers

Runtime:

Italy:90 min | USA:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Daniel L. Paulson Productions

Goofs:

Factual errors: The aircraft is supposed to fly a six-hour trip from New York to London, England, and would have to contain approximately two extra hours worth of fuel for contingency, yet it flies for more than 13 hours before running out of fuel. An aircraft cannot take off with that much excess fuel, otherwise it would be way above the maximum for a safe landing at the destination or alternate airport. However in the film, the chief air stewardess tries to explain that the flight is designated as "Heavy" because it contains enough fuel for the return flight, however this is an incorrect usage of the term Heavy. Heavy is used after a call sign to denote that an aircraft is capable of takeoff weights greater 255,000 lbs (115,666 kg) in the US (FAA standards) and 299,828 lbs (136,000 kg) in other parts of the world (ICAO standards). The Heavy addition reminds the tower to leave extra time for the next flight landing or taking off so the turbulence over the runway can clear.

Quotes:

Ethan Walker: You get me back in the habit of saying please and thank you, and I'll buy you a cat.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Ma vie en l'air (2005)

pretty bad, but fun anyway

Perhaps I have a soft spot for Kate Jackson. This movie does not have as much reality and plausibility as "The Jetsons", and yet somehow, she can carry it and make this movie entertaining. Just forget about reality and enjoy the show.