Crisis in Midair (Disaster, Drama) CBS Made-for-TV Movie - 1979

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Crisis in Mid-Air

Crisis in Mid-Air arrives at a time when air travel had become a common experience for most Americans—whether it was a winter trip to Florida, a trans-Atlantic flight to Europe, or a cross-country journey to California, by 1979, most Americans had experienced the sensations of jet flight. Hollywood had been romanticizing the airline industry since World War II. Heroic pilots and glamorous stewardesses loyalty to their flight and crew had populated both B-movies and blockbusters, captivating audiences well into the 1970s.

The 1970s saw a surge of airline disaster films, starting with Airport (1970), Airport '75, and Airport '77. These movies were part of a larger trend of disaster films that thrived during the decade. At the same time, network television capitalized on the allure of new and emerging professions, casting young actors at the center of fresh storylines. This formula was highly successful across a multitude of shows, including C.H.I.P.s, which followed California Highway Patrol officers, and The New Rookies, which focused on emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and The Young Lawyers which depicted lawyers tryin to obtain justice for the urban poor and disfranchised . Other series, like The Streets of San Francisco, highlighted young detectives navigating a city that had become the mecca of the counter-cultural revolution—a haven for teenage runaways, hippies, and other malcontents drawn by the allure of psychedelia.

The focus of these series was clear: youth. Whether it was the burgeoning professions of law, medicine, or law enforcement, television offered endless storylines. The open road, medical emergencies, and social justice all provided rich material for writers’ rooms. For network executives, capitalizing on stories that featured young professionals on the job was pure gold. For those able to spot the potential in these trends, it was a true testament to their expertise. In The Streets of San Francisco, the city is a haven for teenage runaways, hippies, and other malcontents, who are drawn by the allure of psychedelia in a city that had become the mecca of the counter-cultural revolution.

The winning combination of young professionals on the job became the stock-in-trade of the entertainment industry, fueling a steady stream of successful television film productions.

Authenticity and Realism
One of the standout aspects of "Crisis in Midair" is its commitment to authenticity. George Peppard's preparation for the role included following the shifts at LA TRACON, ensuring that the portrayal of the stresses and responsibilities of air traffic control work was as true-to-life as possible. This dedication to realism sets the film apart from other entries in the disaster film genre of the time, which often leaned towards sensationalism, implausibility, and melodrama.