<Tr> <Td> ← Previous "Migration" </Td> <Td> Next → "Going, Going, Gone" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Grey's Anatomy (season 8) List of Grey's Anatomy episodes </Td> </Tr> <P> "Flight" is the twenty - fourth and final episode of the eighth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 172nd episode overall . It was written by series creator Shonda Rhimes, and directed by Rob Corn . The episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 17, 2012 . In the episode, six doctors from Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital who are victims of an aviation accident fight to stay alive, but Dr. Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) ultimately dies . Other storylines occur in Seattle where Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens, Jr .) plans his annual dinner for the departing residents, Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) fires Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), and Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) gets engaged . </P> <P> The episode marked Leigh's final appearance in the series and Raver's last until late in the fourteenth season . Exterior filming of the accident took place at Big Bear Lake, California . Jason George reprised his role as a guest star, whereas James LeGros made his first appearance . The episode opened to mixed reviews from television critics, with some criticizing the death of Lexie, but praising Leigh's performance, in addition to Ellen Pompeo (Dr. Meredith Grey)'s and Eric Dane (Dr. Mark Sloan)'s . "Flight" earned Rhimes an NAACP Image Award nomination and it was also nominated under several categories of Entertainment Weekly's finale awards . Upon its initial airing, the episode was viewed in the United States by 11.44 million people, garnered a 4.1 / 11 Nielsen rating / share in the 18--49 demographic, ranking fourth for the night in terms of viewership, and registering as Thursday's highest - rated drama . </P>

Who dies in grey's anatomy season 8 plane crash