BBC Focus Magazine

[M Paul Lloyd]

Not quite as dramatic as it sounds.
I remember this sort of thing being done during the 1960's but of course the analytical science was much less well developed back then so I'm expecting a lot of new data from this.

Discovery Channel crashes plane for documentary
I'll try and keep you posted if I find out when exactly it might be aired.

Discovery Channel crashed a Boeing 727 passenger jet Friday in the Sonoran Desert in Mexico as part of its documentary series "Curiosity."
The as-yet-untitled episode will look to "re-create a serious, but survivable, passenger jet crash landing with a real aircraft," Discovery said in a statement. The plane was loaded with crash test dummies and cameras to examine impact. The plane was also followed by other planes filming the crash and by camera crews on the ground that also documented the event.
"This groundbreaking project features an actual crash of a passenger jet and explores the big questions about how to make plane crashes more survivable; it's the ideal premiere episode for our 'Curiosity' series that stirs the imagination of our audience, bravely asking questions and fearlessly seeking answers," said Eileen O'Neill, president of Discovery Channel.
Discovery said safety precautions were taken and that the Mexican military and police, as well as private security, staffed the area of the crash. The aircraft will eventually be salvaged and Discovery said an "extensive environmental cleanup operation is being carried out by a reputable agency with the full cooperation of the Mexican authorities." The pilot ejected from the plane minutes before impact.
The episode will be shown on Discovery later this year.

More here
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtra ... ntary.html