—Pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation and engineering often results in mind-boggling building achievements. Unfortunately, progress can also produce leaning towers of terror. This series showcases the latter -- engineering disasters, from the hilarious to the mind-boggling, from the deadly to the bank-busting. Episodes profile, investigate and analyze outrageous structural gaffes, then tell of genius resolutions to solve the issues. Blunders include an airport that is sinking into the sea, an upside-down bridge, and a waterfront building that creates a dangerous wind tunnel.

7 seasonsDocumentary, ScienceTV-PG

Essential planBundle+ plan

Watch with free trial

Compare plans

7-day free trial (new users only), then $25 + tax per month.
Cancel anytime. See terms.

Season 78 of 8 Episodes

Residents along the Pacific Coast Highway are cut off from the outside world after a storm causes a bridge to buckle; experts reveal how the construction method of the old concrete bridge left it vulnerable to erosion on the steep coastline.
In Puerto Rico, an iconic observatory nestled into a giant crater has to close after cables holding up a critical platform come crashing down; experts analyze the cumulative effects that led to the collapse of this awe-inspiring structure.
A crane collapse leaves seven dead on a holiday weekend in Manhattan; an investigation reveals how a shortcut taken while raising the crane left the machine swaying in the wind without proper lateral support.
On a snowy morning in Pittsburgh, a messy commute becomes dangerous after a bridge collapses; an investigation reveals how corrosion and other environmental factors helped bring down this decades-old structure.
An aging dam in Nebraska is overcome by flooding after the area is hit with a devastating bomb cyclone; an investigation reveals that massive chunks of ice unleashed by the superstorm played a critical role in the failure of the old structure.
In Scotland, a distinguished library is ravaged by not one but two disastrous fires; experts explore how outdated construction methods and materials contributed to the vulnerability of this esteemed place of learning.
Twenty people are killed after a hotel explodes on a cold Saturday morning in America's heartland; an investigation into the tragedy leads underground, where gas lines supplied the iconic building.
An explosion at a chemical plant in New Jersey kills five workers and unleashes a torrent of black smoke into the morning sky; an investigation reveals how a small amount of water led to this fatal manufacturing catastrophe.

A deadly tragedy on a freeway in Oklahoma sends one of the state's busiest bridges collapsing into the Arkansas River below; expert engineers investigate how a tugboat striking a reinforced concrete pier could cause such a catastrophic disaster.
Upcoming
When an indoor hotel walkway collapses in Kansas City, Mo., it becomes the most deadly engineering disaster in U.S. history; experts investigate and uncover evidence of a catastrophic design change in the support system construction.
Upcoming
A vital hillside highway in Pennsylvania is destroyed in just minutes after a catastrophic landslide rocks a community; engineers investigate and uncover undetected geological issues with an increased and unstable traffic load.
Upcoming
Catastrophe strikes as one of America's most vital freeway intersections erupts in flames and completely collapses in San Francisco; experts use the latest science to investigate how an overturned tanker truck spawned a devastating inferno.
Upcoming
A devastating railroad inferno takes down a vital route on a historic river crossing in Arizona; using the latest cutting-edge technology, experts investigate the remaining incinerated evidence to determine what caused such a disastrous derailment.
Upcoming
A shipping catastrophe occurs when a massive container vessel runs aground and completely blocks one of the most vital trade routes on the planet; experts investigate and uncover critical wind conditions and potential navigational errors.
Upcoming

Pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation and engineering often results in mind-boggling building achievements. Unfortunately, progress can also produce leaning towers of terror. This series showcases the latter -- engineering disasters, from the hilarious to the mind-boggling, from the deadly to the bank-busting. Episodes profile, investigate and analyze outrageous structural gaffes, then tell of genius resolutions to solve the issues. Blunders include an airport that is sinking into the sea, an upside-down bridge, and a waterfront building that creates a dangerous wind tunnel.

Jason Dietz, David Hitt, Nehemiah Mabry, Adrian Brugger

View all channels

One Subscription.
Endless Entertainment.

Unlock live TV, binge-worthy shows, hit movies, and more. Starting at $25/month.

View plans

Philo is a live TV streaming service that offers two plans to fit your entertainment needs:

Essential ($25/month): 70+ live channels and over 75,000 movies and shows on-demand. New users get a 7-day free trial!

Bundle+ ($33/month): Includes all the channels and entire streaming library available in the Essential plan, the entire AMC+ library, and access to HBO Max Basic with Ads plan and discovery+ included.

Both plans: offer 1-year unlimited cloud DVR, let you stream on up to 3 devices at once, create up to 10 profiles, and cancel anytime with no contract.

Free Channels: Not ready to subscribe? You can also enjoy Free Channels with no credit card required—simply create your account and start watching.

Yes! New users that sign up for the Essential plan can try it free for 7 days. You can explore our channels, features, and content before your subscription begins. No contract required—cancel anytime before your trial ends with no charges.

An email address
A future payment method
A broadband internet connection
A supported device

Web, iPhone & iPad, Android phones & tablets, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung TV, VIZIO TV, LG TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and Chromecast via Android

Yes! You can record an unlimited amount of live or upcoming content to your cloud DVR and save them for up to a year. No equipment needed!

Nope! No hardware is required, ever. Philo's DVR is already built into the app, so there's nothing to plug in, set up, or pay extra for.

With an Essential or Bundle+ subscription, you get unlimited DVR storage included, and your recordings are saved for a full year. If you're watching with the Free Channels, recordings are saved for 30 days.

Yes! You can enjoy tons of premium television and movies by upgrading your Philo subscription plan with add-ons.

Here is a list of our available add-ons:

HBO Max Standard (ad-free): Watch HBO Originals and hit movies ad-free for $13 more per month. Live sports included (in HBO Max app).
discovery+ (ad-free): Stream hit reality shows, documentaries, and more without the ads - all for $8 more per month.
Movies & More: Watch award-winning films, cult classics, celebrity stories, documentaries, and more - for $3 more per month.
AMC+ (ad-free): Enjoy ad-free access to the entire AMC+ library for $4 more per month.
MGM+ (ad-free): Stream thousands of the latest hits, fan favorites, original series, documentaries, and comedy specials for an additional $8/month.
ALLBLK (ad-free): Stream original series, independent films, nostalgic Black cinema, reality, and lively stage plays for $7 more per month.
Hallmark+ (ad-free): Watch exclusive originals, reality shows, rom-coms, cozy mysteries, heartfelt dramas, and beloved holiday movies for an additional $9/month.
STARZ (ad-free): Enjoy today’s hits, classic movies, and bold original series for an additional $12/month.

HBO Max:

Sign up for the Bundle+ ($33/month) plan.
Go to your Philo account page and follow the steps to activate your HBO Max Basic with Ads plan account.

discovery+: Sign up for the Bundle+ ($33/month) plan.

Engineering Catastrophes

Watch Now

Record to Watch Later

19 episodes will be broadcast over the next two weeks

More about Engineering Catastrophes

Starring

Subscribe to Enjoy 70+ Channels

Watch and record live TV with a Philo subscription

More like Engineering Catastrophes

Popular on Philo

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Philo offer?

Does Philo offer a free trial?

What do I need to get started?

Can I record my favorite shows?

Do I need to buy or rent a DVR box to record shows on Philo?

Does Philo offer add-on packages?

How do I get HBO Max Basic with Ads plan and discovery+ with my Philo subscription?