All language subtitles for Air.Disasters.S20E01.1080p.PMTP.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.H.264-BLOOM_track3_[eng]

The world watches
in horror when an airliner is

The world watches
in horror when an airliner is

turned into a weapon of terror.

American 77 being part
of September 11, 2001,

American 77 being part
of September 11, 2001,

was front page news.

was front page news.

A massive blast
tears apart a jumbo jet

and shocks the world.

TWA jet aircraft Flight
800 has exploded in mid-air.

TWA jet aircraft Flight
800 has exploded in mid-air.

TWA jet aircraft Flight
800 has exploded in mid-air.

And a
supersonic marvel

becomes a flying inferno.

Au mon dieu.

It captured the
attention of the world

It captured the
attention of the world

because this was the
first major accident

involving this airplane.

Three devastating crashes make

Three devastating crashes make

headline news around the world.

The attention puts
intense pressure

The attention puts
intense pressure

on investigators to
uncover the true cause

of these deadly disasters.

We don't care about blame.

We don't care about blame.

We don't care about speculation.

We wanna know what the
hard facts really are.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we are starting our approach.

We lost both engines.

Brace for impact!

Think we lost one.

Investigations start with the tracker.

Investigations start with the tracker.

It's gonna crash!

It's nearly
8:00 AM at Dulles

It's nearly
8:00 AM at Dulles

Airport near Washington DC.

American Airlines Flight 77 will
soon be heading to Los Angeles.

American Airlines Flight 77 will
soon be heading to Los Angeles.

39-year-old David Charlebois
is the first officer.

Any plans for the big day?

Any plans for the big day?

Just gonna take in the
ball game in Angel Stadium.

Oh, yeah?

That'll be great.

That'll be great.

The captain, Charles
Burlingame, turns 52 tomorrow.

He's a former Navy Top
Gun pilot with years

He's a former Navy Top
Gun pilot with years

of experience flying airliners.

Can I help you with that?

Can I help you with that?

The Boeing 757 is less
than half full this morning.

There are only 58 passengers
and six crew on board.

There are only 58 passengers
and six crew on board.

On the roll.

At 8:20 AM,
American Airlines Flight 77

gets underway.

gets underway.

V1.

Rotate.

The trip from
Washington to Los Angeles

is approximately 2,300
miles across the country.

is approximately 2,300
miles across the country.

At 8:46, Flight 77 reaches
cruising altitude, 35,000 feet.

At 8:46, Flight 77 reaches
cruising altitude, 35,000 feet.

American Airlines 77
clear direct Falmouth.

American Airlines 77
clear direct Falmouth.

Clear track
Falmouth, American 77.

Clear track
Falmouth, American 77.

The air
traffic controllers

guide the 757 to
the next waypoint

en route to Los Angeles.

en route to Los Angeles.

All right, time for
a bit more coffee.

But 34 minutes
into the flight, controllers

But 34 minutes
into the flight, controllers

notice something odd.

What are you guys doing?

What are you guys doing?

Flight 77
is veering off course.

American 77, center.

American 77, center.

At the point where the
controller noticed the aircraft

take a turn that he did
not instruct them to do,

take a turn that he did
not instruct them to do,

that's when he would
become concerned.

2 minutes later.

2 minutes later.

American 77, radio check.

Flight 77
vanishes from their radars.

Flight 77
vanishes from their radars.

Center.

Center.

Then, a phone
call from American Airlines

brings unbelievable news.

Thousands of people are
feared dead after two planes

Thousands of people are
feared dead after two planes

crash into the World Trade
Center towers in Manhattan.

crash into the World Trade
Center towers in Manhattan.

The United States
is under attack.

Almost everybody
that saw what happened

said, this is not an accident.

While the world watches

the horrifying news
in New York, concern

the horrifying news
in New York, concern

grows over the missing 757.

- AIR TRAFFIC
- Supervisor.

Controllers fear they
may have another hijacked plane

Controllers fear they
may have another hijacked plane

in the sky.

I've
got a target tracking eastbound

at a high rate of speed.

At 9:32,
more than half an hour

At 9:32,
more than half an hour

after losing contact with
the plane, controllers

spot a mysterious radar return.

spot a mysterious radar return.

If it is Flight 77,
it means the plane has

If it is Flight 77,
it means the plane has

turned back toward Washington.

That's gotta be our plane.

Center calling American 77.

American 77.

American 77.

But the 757 is
ignoring all radio calls.

And at 9:35 AM, the plane
slams into the Pentagon.

And at 9:35 AM, the plane
slams into the Pentagon.

All 64 people on board are dead.

125 others inside the
building are killed.

125 others inside the
building are killed.

We have watched the
tragedy of an outrageous act

We have watched the
tragedy of an outrageous act

of barbaric
terrorism carried out

by fanatics against both
civilians and military people.

by fanatics against both
civilians and military people.

American 77 was front page
news and changed America.

American 77 was front page
news and changed America.

Has stayed in the
news a very long time.

Has stayed in the
news a very long time.

The crash of
Flight 77 turns the Pentagon

The crash of
Flight 77 turns the Pentagon

into a federal crime scene.

The FBI is in charge
of this investigation.

The FBI is in charge
of this investigation.

Because the crime scene is
also an aviation crash site,

Because the crime scene is
also an aviation crash site,

the National Transportation
Safety Board joins

the high-profile investigation.

the high-profile investigation.

Tom Haueter was one of the
first NTSB investigators

on the scene.

The FBI is experts on
criminal investigations,

and that covers many areas.

and that covers many areas.

They aren't necessarily
airplane experts.

While recovery teams
raced to find the plane's

While recovery teams
raced to find the plane's

black boxes, FBI agents
gained valuable details

about how the plane was turned
into a weapon of terror.

about how the plane was turned
into a weapon of terror.

Everyone, to
the back of the plane.

Everyone, to
the back of the plane.

Now!

Some passengers managed

to make phone calls from the
air describing their ordeal.

Those phone calls reveal that
the hijackers were equipped

with box cutters and knives.

with box cutters and knives.

They forced the pilots
to leave the cockpit.

Please, stay calm.

Please, stay calm.

Everybody move to the back.

Prior to the 9/11
terrorist attacks,

all flight crews were told to
cooperate with the hijackers

all flight crews were told to
cooperate with the hijackers

and buy for time.

But how did terrorists
get weapons past security

But how did terrorists
get weapons past security

at a modern airport?

And how were they able to
fly a sophisticated airliner

straight into the Pentagon?

At the crash site, the
exhaustive search effort

At the crash site, the
exhaustive search effort

has paid off.

Agents recover the
plane's two black boxes.

If their data can be
successfully downloaded,

it might reveal what was
going on in the cockpit

it might reveal what was
going on in the cockpit

when controllers lost contact.

Center, calling American 77.

American 77.

American 77.

While investigators
wait for the black box data,

While investigators
wait for the black box data,

they scan Flight 77's
passenger manifest,

checking to see if any
suspicious names are listed.

checking to see if any
suspicious names are listed.

It didn't take
too long to figure

out who the hijackers were.

out who the hijackers were.

The trail
leads to five attackers.

But how did they get
past airport security?

But how did they get
past airport security?

The computer-assisted
passenger

prescreening system
flags you if you have

prescreening system
flags you if you have

certain suspicious indicators.

Investigators wonder if the prescreening

Investigators wonder if the prescreening

system failed.

They studied the
records for Flight 77

They studied the
records for Flight 77

and discovered
that the screening

system flagged three
of the five hijackers

for extra security checks.

for extra security checks.

Yet, they still got through.

Yet, they still got through.

Customer service and moving
people through the airport

was the top priority,
not security.

was the top priority,
not security.

A review of
airport security video

shows one of the hijackers
set off an alarm.

Metal detector
caught the weapon.

Metal detector
caught the weapon.

An officer
scans the suspect

with a handheld detector.

with a handheld detector.

When nothing shows up,
he's allowed through.

None of the hijackers get
a rigorous inspection,

and all five board the
flight without issue.

At the time, the bar was
set very low for individuals

coming through the checkpoint.

coming through the checkpoint.

Knives of no greater than
4 inches in blade length

were allowed on board at
the time under FAA policy.

were allowed on board at
the time under FAA policy.

But getting on
board was only the first step.

But getting on
board was only the first step.

Everyone, to
the back of the plane.

Now!

The big
mystery to solve now

The big
mystery to solve now

is how the hijackers were
able to carry out the rest

of their murderous plan.

While the news
from 9/11 dominates

international headlines, FBI agents

international headlines, FBI agents

unearth a trail of
documents connected

to American 77's hijackers.

They come up with
a crucial lead.

One of the suspects,
Hani Hanjour,

One of the suspects,
Hani Hanjour,

has spent several years
training to become

a commercial airline pilot.

He ended up doing flight
training in Arizona.

And was kind of unusual
in his flight training

because he flunked a lot
of checks along the way.

because he flunked a lot
of checks along the way.

As part
of his preparation,

Hanjour also practiced on
small, private aircraft.

Hanjour also practiced on
small, private aircraft.

Turn right, American 77.

Turn right, American 77.

But flying a
sophisticated airliner

is very different from
piloting a small private plane.

is very different from
piloting a small private plane.

How did the hijackers
steer a 757 toward a target

35,000 feet below?

35,000 feet below?

Investigators hope
the plane's flight

data will provide some answers.

data will provide some answers.

Unfortunately, the cockpit
voice recorder was too damaged,

and no information could
be recovered from it.

and no information could
be recovered from it.

But we were able to read out
the flight data recorder.

Banking left, nice and smooth.

Banking left, nice and smooth.

Must be the autopilot.

The data
reveals how the hijackers

managed to turn the 757 around.

managed to turn the 757 around.

This, I think, should
take us back to DC.

They relied on
the plane's automation.

They relied on
the plane's automation.

You don't need to be a pilot
at all when the autopilot's on.

He can put it heading
into the autopilot.

He can put it heading
into the autopilot.

He can put air speeds
into the autopilot.

Everything can be done
for him very smoothly.

Everything can be done
for him very smoothly.

Descending now.

But the
autopilot isn't

pre-programmed to fly
to the precise location

pre-programmed to fly
to the precise location

of the Pentagon.

It's just ahead.

Autopilot off.

8 minutes from
impact, the hijacker

8 minutes from
impact, the hijacker

must fly the aircraft by hand.

It's quite clear,
looking at the data,

It's quite clear,
looking at the data,

this is somebody who has never
handled a big airplane before.

This guy is really struggling.

This guy is really struggling.

Keep it steady.

We're way too high.

We're never gonna hit it!

We're never gonna hit it!

To shed altitude,
they make a sharp, diving turn

to the right.

The aircraft
can only come out of the sky

The aircraft
can only come out of the sky

so fast without breaking up.

So he makes a circle to get the
aircraft lower and get it into

So he makes a circle to get the
aircraft lower and get it into

position to hit the Pentagon.

In the final seconds,
they accelerate to top speed,

In the final seconds,
they accelerate to top speed,

almost to the point of breakup.

The airplane's
overspeed warnings

The airplane's
overspeed warnings

are probably going off.

He doesn't care.

Investigators now
understand the deadly flight

path of American 77.

path of American 77.

They have no doubt
the attack was planned

down to the last detail.

down to the last detail.

Investigators speculate that a flight

attendant was forced to hand
over the keys to the cockpit.

attendant was forced to hand
over the keys to the cockpit.

There was no time for the
pilots to warn authorities.

There was no time for the
pilots to warn authorities.

Once inside the
cockpit, investigators

Once inside the
cockpit, investigators

believe that
hijacker Hani Hanjour

took control of the plane.

You have to let me
back in the cockpit.

Stay where you are now or die.

I've got a target
tracking eastbound

I've got a target
tracking eastbound

at a high rate of speed.

By the time
controller's spot

Flight 77's radar
return, the plane

Flight 77's radar
return, the plane

is only five minutes from DC.

There's nothing the
controllers could have done.

9/11 shook us to our core.

9/11 shook us to our core.

Anybody that was of
age during that time,

it has marked our generation.

it has marked our generation.

The 9/11 attacks bring
about the most profound changes

ever to commercial
aviation, both in the US

ever to commercial
aviation, both in the US

and around the world.

Just two months
after the attacks,

Just two months
after the attacks,

the US government creates
the Transportation Security

Administration, or TSA.

Administration, or TSA.

It establishes strict new
rules on what passengers

can carry onto planes.

can carry onto planes.

Airports start screening
passengers with full body

scanning machines.

scanning machines.

There are also major
changes to cockpit security.

There are also major
changes to cockpit security.

The most important
takeaway is this,

we must, absolutely
must deny access

to the cockpit to
anybody who would

to the cockpit to
anybody who would

use the airplane as a weapon.

And we have been marvelously
successful in building

that kind of defense system.

that kind of defense system.

But not all front
page stories are criminal cases.

But not all front
page stories are criminal cases.

An explosion on a passenger
jet sends investigators on

a four-year search for answers.

a four-year search for answers.

People couldn't understand
how a modern jetliner

People couldn't understand
how a modern jetliner

could just blow up in flight.

TWA 800 was a front page story
on the news for over 18 months.

TWA 800 was a front page story
on the news for over 18 months.

It's a hot
summer evening at John

F Kennedy Airport in New York.

Trans World Airlines
Flight 800 is delayed

due to a baggage problem.

212 passengers are on board the
Boeing 747 en route to Paris.

212 passengers are on board the
Boeing 747 en route to Paris.

We gonna start placing bets
on when we actually push off?

Captain Ralph Kevorkian

is an experienced pilot
on his second training

is an experienced pilot
on his second training

flight as a 747 captain.

$20 on us getting out
of here before sundown.

I'll take that bet.

I'll take that bet.

First Officer
Steve Snyder has flown

for TWA for more than 30 years.

After over an hour, the luggage
issue is finally resolved.

After over an hour, the luggage
issue is finally resolved.

Ladies and gentlemen,
from the flight deck,

we've been cleared to go.

we've been cleared to go.

We'll be pushing back
from the gate shortly.

Takeoff thrust.

Takeoff thrust.

At 8:19 PM, TWA
Flight 800 is airborne, steadily

At 8:19 PM, TWA
Flight 800 is airborne, steadily

climbing to 15,000 feet.

climbing to 15,000 feet.

Climb thrust.

Power set.

But 11 minutes into
the flight, disaster strikes.

But 11 minutes into
the flight, disaster strikes.

Talk to me.

What do you have for us?

Front of the airplane that
broke off, centrifugal force

had to be just horrendous
as the nose fell down.

had to be just horrendous
as the nose fell down.

What's left of
the plane continues skyward,

What's left of
the plane continues skyward,

engulfed in flames.

Went up at least another
1,000 feet, maybe 1,500 feet,

Went up at least another
1,000 feet, maybe 1,500 feet,

you know, and flames
pouring off of it.

We now know that a TWA
aircraft, Flight 800,

We now know that a TWA
aircraft, Flight 800,

has exploded in midair,
apparently landing

in the Atlantic Ocean tonight.

in the Atlantic Ocean tonight.

Debris litters the water nearly

75 miles east of Manhattan.

There are no survivors.

A media swarm descends as
recovery efforts are underway.

A media swarm descends as
recovery efforts are underway.

The large debris field tells
investigators that the plane

likely came apart in midair.

likely came apart in midair.

Me and my cousin Joe, we was
over by the dock over there.

He said, yo, Darren, look at...

look up in the air.

Was a big ball of fire.

Was a big ball of fire.

The high-profile
crash of TWA 800

leaves the nation in shock.

leaves the nation in shock.

Did a bomb take down the plane?

Did a bomb take down the plane?

It was so horrific.

So many people were lost.

747s do not normally
come apart in the air.

747s do not normally
come apart in the air.

So there's something
extraordinary

that happened here.

The NTSB's lead
investigator, Al Dickinson,

The NTSB's lead
investigator, Al Dickinson,

faces an urgent task.

It was extremely important for
us to find out what happened,

It was extremely important for
us to find out what happened,

because there were so many
747s flying at that time.

because there were so many
747s flying at that time.

The NTSB will
lead the investigation.

The NTSB will
lead the investigation.

You can take that
just down over there.

But the
FBI launches its

But the
FBI launches its

own parallel criminal inquiry.

Pleasure to see you.

Just wish it was under
better circumstances.

Just wish it was under
better circumstances.

The FBI believes
the mid-air explosion

could be linked to terrorism.

could be linked to terrorism.

I'm sure this was a bomb, and
that we'll find the evidence

of that in this wreckage.

of that in this wreckage.

Just keep me posted.

All right.

Three years
earlier, in 1993,

terrorists drove a bomb
into the World Trade Center.

terrorists drove a bomb
into the World Trade Center.

And just one year
prior, Timothy McVeigh

And just one year
prior, Timothy McVeigh

bombed the federal
building in Oklahoma.

NTSB investigators carefully
search the wreckage

NTSB investigators carefully
search the wreckage

for any sign of foul play.

for any sign of foul play.

No pitting.

No cratering.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Investigators know
the plane exploded in mid-air,

but they're convinced this
was not a terrorist act.

but they're convinced this
was not a terrorist act.

In a way, it made the
safety board's job much more

difficult, because we had to
now determine what happened

difficult, because we had to
now determine what happened

if there was no bomb
or missile that caused

the airplane to come down.

the airplane to come down.

All right, let's get to it.

But news
reports continue to fuel

the FBI's terrorism theory.

the FBI's terrorism theory.

The pressure is on the
NTSB to find the cause

and provide answers
to grieving families.

and provide answers
to grieving families.

Excuse us.

Seven days
into the investigation,

the ocean salvage team makes
a major find, the black boxes.

the ocean salvage team makes
a major find, the black boxes.

Recovering the
CVR and the FDR is

Recovering the
CVR and the FDR is

very important in
every investigation.

The trouble is, you never
know what you're gonna get.

The trouble is, you never
know what you're gonna get.

Technicians in
Washington recover the data.

TWA 800.

TWA 800.

But it gives
investigators little to go on.

Leaving 1, 3,000.

They hear no cockpit
alarms or signs of panic

They hear no cockpit
alarms or signs of panic

from the crew.

Go on
and maintain 15,000.

Normal conversations in the cockpit.

Normal conversations in the cockpit.

Normal readouts on the
flight data recorder.

Up until the point where a
sharp noise was heard, and then,

Up until the point where a
sharp noise was heard, and then,

nothing after that.

With no help
from the flight data,

With no help
from the flight data,

investigators scour
the wreckage for clues.

Give me a hand with this.

Give me a hand with this.

The wreckage recovery started
to teach us some things.

They uncover a piece
with significant scorching.

They uncover a piece
with significant scorching.

Where it's found
tells investigators

it was one of the first
pieces to come off the plane.

it was one of the first
pieces to come off the plane.

But what part of the
plane did it come from?

But what part of the
plane did it come from?

A piece of span-wise beam
from the center wing fuel tank.

I think this could be it.

It's a discovery
that changes the direction

of the entire investigation.

of the entire investigation.

The explosion
must have started

somewhere inside the fuel tank.

somewhere inside the fuel tank.

To prove their
theory that an exploding

fuel tank took down TWA 800...

fuel tank took down TWA 800...

We're gonna put all
this back together again.

...the NTSB decides
to attempt something that

...the NTSB decides
to attempt something that

has never been done before.

We're gonna rebuild
the entire plane.

Piecing together the shattered 747

Piecing together the shattered 747

will be the only way
to convince the world

it was not a terrorist attack.

it was not a terrorist attack.

But investigators still don't
know what sparked the blast.

But investigators still don't
know what sparked the blast.

If you find evidence of
an explosion in a fuel tank,

If you find evidence of
an explosion in a fuel tank,

you have to look for what could
cause an explosion to start

and you work backwards.

and you work backwards.

We need to prove three
things, the fuel was flammable,

We need to prove three
things, the fuel was flammable,

the explosion has to be powerful
enough to rupture the tank,

the explosion has to be powerful
enough to rupture the tank,

and finally, something created
a spark to ignite the fuel.

and finally, something created
a spark to ignite the fuel.

Jet fuel, in its
liquid form, is not flammable.

But when heated, fuel
starts to vaporize.

But when heated, fuel
starts to vaporize.

When combined with oxygen
already present in the tank,

this vapor can become
highly flammable.

this vapor can become
highly flammable.

At 14,000 feet, jet fuel needs
to reach 96 degrees Fahrenheit

At 14,000 feet, jet fuel needs
to reach 96 degrees Fahrenheit

to become combustible.

to become combustible.

Investigators examined the design

schematics of the aircraft.

An intriguing detail
catches their eye.

An intriguing detail
catches their eye.

The placement of the
air conditioning units

The placement of the
air conditioning units

were underneath the
center tank, and those

generate a fair amount of heat.

On the day
of the fatal flight,

the air conditioning
units were working

extra hard to keep the
cabin cool on a hot evening.

extra hard to keep the
cabin cool on a hot evening.

Could heat from the
units have boosted

the temperature inside the tanks
to a dangerously high level?

the temperature inside the tanks
to a dangerously high level?

We had to prove that the
temperature inside the tank

We had to prove that the
temperature inside the tank

would be flammable.

Because we couldn't prove
that, how is it gonna explode?

Because we couldn't prove
that, how is it gonna explode?

There's only one
way to find out.

There's only one
way to find out.

Investigators decide
to recreate the fatal flight,

but it puts them in the
same dangerous situation...

but it puts them in the
same dangerous situation...

Air conditioning on.

...that took
down TWA Flight 800.

All right, let's start it up.

All right, let's start it up.

Investigators perform a risky flight test.

Investigators perform a risky flight test.

They need to prove the fuel
on board TWA Flight 800

became flammable.

became flammable.

It was a bit disconcerting,
because we were, in a sense,

in an aircraft that was
identical to the accident

in an aircraft that was
identical to the accident

flight.

Now, if you're gonna ask me
whether I would do it again,

I'd probably say no.

I'd probably say no.

When the
test flight reaches

the same altitude as TWA 800...

Holy crow.

Holy crow.

This is off the charts.

...the temperature
readings in the tank

are terrifying.

are terrifying.

The air conditioning
packs heat the fuel

to 127 degrees Fahrenheit, 30
degrees above the flash point.

to 127 degrees Fahrenheit, 30
degrees above the flash point.

OK, let's get back
down to the ground.

OK, let's get back
down to the ground.

So we've proved flammability.

So we've proved flammability.

Now, for the second challenge.

Can the tank rupture?

They rig
up a scale model

of the center wing fuel tank.

of the center wing fuel tank.

Gentlemen.

Level's good?

They fill the tank
with the same ratio of jet fuel

They fill the tank
with the same ratio of jet fuel

and heat it to the same
temperature as on TWA 800.

and heat it to the same
temperature as on TWA 800.

Investigators then
ignite the fuel.

The results are clear.

The explosion creates
double the amount of force

The explosion creates
double the amount of force

necessary to rupture the tank.

The tank simply wasn't
strong enough to contain

The tank simply wasn't
strong enough to contain

a full-scale explosion.

NTSB investigators need one

NTSB investigators need one

last critical element of proof.

The final question
that we had to answer

The final question
that we had to answer

was, what caused the spark?

Investigators take a
closer look at the aircraft's

electrical system.

After hours of examining
the 180 miles of wiring,

they noticed a
disturbing pattern.

they noticed a
disturbing pattern.

The condition of
these wires is abysmal.

High voltage and
low voltage wires are mixed

High voltage and
low voltage wires are mixed

together, making it
possible for strong currents

to travel where they shouldn't.

to travel where they shouldn't.

If you have cross-currents
into these wires, something

If you have cross-currents
into these wires, something

drastic could easily happen.

The condition
of the aging wires

The condition
of the aging wires

leads investigators to
a logical conclusion.

This was certainly
a short circuit.

This was certainly
a short circuit.

It was more than
enough to create

a short circuit that would
go into the fuel tank

a short circuit that would
go into the fuel tank

and ignite the vapors.

And now, we have
all the conditions

And now, we have
all the conditions

for a fuel tank explosion.

The full sequence
of events is now clear.

The full sequence
of events is now clear.

While idling at the
gate for an hour,

the air conditioning
system heats the fuel

the air conditioning
system heats the fuel

in the center wing tank.

The liquid turns to
vapor as its temperature

The liquid turns to
vapor as its temperature

rises above the ignition point.

In the plane's aging
electrical system,

some wires are so worn
that they short circuit.

some wires are so worn
that they short circuit.

In the blink of an eye, deadly
voltage reaches the fuel probe

inside the center wing tank.

inside the center wing tank.

And then, it blew up.

Talk to me.

What do you have for us?

The NTSB's ambitious
reconstruction of TWA 800

The NTSB's ambitious
reconstruction of TWA 800

is finally complete.

It confirms the
investigators' fuel tank

It confirms the
investigators' fuel tank

explosion theory,
finally putting any bomb

conspiracy theories to rest.

conspiracy theories to rest.

I was really pretty proud
of the definitive nature

in which we were
able to show where

in which we were
able to show where

the airplane break up began.

After more than
four years of investigation,

After more than
four years of investigation,

the NTSB recommends
in its official report

that all Boeing 747s
undergo a review

that all Boeing 747s
undergo a review

and repair of older wiring.

They also call for
additional insulation

They also call for
additional insulation

between the fuel tanks and
the air conditioning system.

There was a lot of
design challenges.

There was a lot of
design challenges.

There were a lot of
certification challenges.

And these recommendations
went forward

to both the FAA and Boeing.

to both the FAA and Boeing.

But it was all hardware-related.

Despite the constant
speculation in the news,

Despite the constant
speculation in the news,

the NTSB perseveres in
finding the true cause.

Just four years
later, investigators

face a similar challenge when
another devastating crash

face a similar challenge when
another devastating crash

makes international news.

Charles de Gaulle
Airport, Paris.

Charles de Gaulle
Airport, Paris.

One of the busiest
airports in Europe,

and the only place
in France to catch

sight of the world's most famous
passenger plane, the Concorde.

sight of the world's most famous
passenger plane, the Concorde.

Concorde flying
was a real show.

I mean, everybody was watching.

It was spectacular.

It was spectacular.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER (ON
RADIO): Air France 4590,

do you want Whiskey 10 or Romeo?

do you want Whiskey 10 or Romeo?

I need all the runway.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER (ON
RADIO): OK, taxi for Romeo,

Air France 4590.

Air France 4590.

Today, Captain Christian Marty

will be flying the Concorde.

will be flying the Concorde.

Clear on the right?

All the right is clear.

First Officer Jean Marcot

First Officer Jean Marcot

will monitor the instruments.

With more than 23,000
flight hours between them,

With more than 23,000
flight hours between them,

Captain Marty and
First Officer Marcot

are among the world's
most elite pilots.

are among the world's
most elite pilots.

Air France 4590, runway
26 right, clear for takeoff.

Air France 4590, runway
26 right, clear for takeoff.

Everybody ready?

Yes.

The Concorde is
a technological marvel.

It's the world's only
supersonic airliner.

It's the world's only
supersonic airliner.

Four greens.

Its takeoff
speed is 198 knots,

Its takeoff
speed is 198 knots,

40 knots faster than a 747.

40 knots faster than a 747.

V1.

They've reached V1,
also known as decision speed.

They've reached V1,
also known as decision speed.

They are now going too
quickly to abort the takeoff.

Watch out!

Suddenly, the
plane begins veering left.

Suddenly, the
plane begins veering left.

Stop!

They are
running out of runway.

Captain Marty has to lift
the plane into the air.

Captain Marty has to lift
the plane into the air.

4590, you have
flames behind you.

Roger.

Watch the air speed.

The plane has
lost two of its engines.

The plane has
lost two of its engines.

No time.

The crew can't
out fly the fire that is

rapidly consuming their plane.

rapidly consuming their plane.

No!

The supersonic
marvel of modern aviation

The supersonic
marvel of modern aviation

crashes into an airport hotel.

All 109 passengers and crew on
board the Concorde are dead.

All 109 passengers and crew on
board the Concorde are dead.

Four more people have
been killed on the ground.

Four more people have
been killed on the ground.

Everyone had a dream of
flying on the Concorde.

Everyone had a dream of
flying on the Concorde.

And when you saw those
horrific pictures,

you had the sinking
feeling that this

you had the sinking
feeling that this

might be the end of
supersonic travel for a while.

The crash
of the Concorde

makes headline news
around the world,

and all eyes are on French
investigator Alain Boulliard,

and all eyes are on French
investigator Alain Boulliard,

who leads the inquiry into what
caused the first fatal crash

who leads the inquiry into what
caused the first fatal crash

in its 31-year history.

We were
dealing with a very

complicated plane that had been
completely destroyed by fire.

complicated plane that had been
completely destroyed by fire.

There were very few pieces left.

Boulliard's team
begins their investigation

Boulliard's team
begins their investigation

on runway 26 right.

It looks like they
were bleeding fuel.

It looks like they
were bleeding fuel.

We became
interested in the runway

because the event happened
during the acceleration

because the event happened
during the acceleration

for takeoff.

First of all, it
was obvious that there were

traces of fire that were
still visible on the runway,

traces of fire that were
still visible on the runway,

as well as traces of fuel
and many airplane parts.

So we had to collect all
these parts to preserve

So we had to collect all
these parts to preserve

them for the investigation.

The two
black boxes are

The two
black boxes are

recovered from the crash site.

They are rushed to the lab
to see if their data survived

the fire.

the fire.

Among the runway
debris, something

captures Boulliard's attention.

captures Boulliard's attention.

But I know this is a
piece of the fuel tank.

But I know this is a
piece of the fuel tank.

Among the first
pieces recovered from the site

Among the first
pieces recovered from the site

was a part that was
quickly identified as being

from one of the fuel tanks.

The Concorde
has 13 fuel tanks,

one in the tail section, and
12 more that combine to fill

one in the tail section, and
12 more that combine to fill

almost the entire delta wing.

almost the entire delta wing.

It means at least one of
the plane's 13 fuel tanks

ruptured during takeoff.

Must have been a
massive fuel leak.

It's the only way to
explain a fire like that.

It's the only way to
explain a fire like that.

But what could have
caused such a massive leak?

But what could have
caused such a massive leak?

Fortunately, technicians
have salvaged

the cockpit voice recording.

the cockpit voice recording.

OK, let's get going.

Boulliard hopes the pilot's cockpit

conversation will shed
some light on the puzzling

conversation will shed
some light on the puzzling

collection of leads.

Four Green.

Four Green.

V1.

But just before
liftoff, there's a loud noise.

Watch out!

That sounded like
some kind of explosion.

Boulliard knows the precise moment

Boulliard knows the precise moment

the deadly fire began.

But he still doesn't
know what caused it.

But he still doesn't
know what caused it.

Failure, engine 2.

Because the Concorde
includes American-made tires...

Because the Concorde
includes American-made tires...

I would love to get a
look at that runway debris.

...the National
Transportation Safety Board

...the National
Transportation Safety Board

sends Bob Maclntosh
to join the team.

Among the debris
found on the runway,

Among the debris
found on the runway,

there are large, torn pieces
of aircraft tire, some

weighing more than 9 pounds.

weighing more than 9 pounds.

Looks like a blowout.

There's a whole lot of
structure and rubber belt

There's a whole lot of
structure and rubber belt

around the tire that's
probably gonna separate.

around the tire that's
probably gonna separate.

And that's, of course,
a potential for damage.

The Concorde's
tires are reinforced

with a strong rubber
belt and filled

with high-pressure
nitrogen. When they rupture,

with high-pressure
nitrogen. When they rupture,

they can act like small bombs.

they can act like small bombs.

Maybe a piece of the tire
flew up and burst the fuel tank

here, in the wing.

here, in the wing.

So what
could have caused

a relatively new tire to erupt?

a relatively new tire to erupt?

We uncovered
many incidents where tires

were punctured or destroyed,
and, in some cases, the rims

were punctured or destroyed,
and, in some cases, the rims

as well.

Investigators take a closer look

Investigators take a closer look

at the debris from the runway.

Maybe something
cut into the tire.

Maybe something
cut into the tire.

They discover
a strange metal strip.

They discover
a strange metal strip.

The shape
of the metal strip

that we ain't fogged was exactly
the same shape as the tire

debris.

debris.

I want to know what this
is and where it came from.

It didn't look like anything
that came from an aircraft

It didn't look like anything
that came from an aircraft

to me.

But metallurgical tests

show it was made of
lightweight titanium,

show it was made of
lightweight titanium,

often used in aircraft parts.

It's covered in a
reddish-orange adhesive

It's covered in a
reddish-orange adhesive

used in aviation repairs.

But it doesn't match any
known pieces of the Concorde.

Investigators work to narrow
down which plane it comes from.

Investigators work to narrow
down which plane it comes from.

We searched by elimination.

We knew that it was
a strip of metal that

We knew that it was
a strip of metal that

didn't come from the Concorde.

Investigators pour
over aircraft schematics.

Investigators pour
over aircraft schematics.

What is this?

What is this?

The metal
strip looks like it could

be from the engine of a DC 10.

be from the engine of a DC 10.

Certainly, there was a
great deal of anticipation.

Could this be
really from a DC 10?

Could this be
really from a DC 10?

Investigators searched
through the flight records

for runway 26 right and
make a crucial discovery.

for runway 26 right and
make a crucial discovery.

A DC 10 took off just
minutes before the Concorde.

A DC 10 took off just
minutes before the Concorde.

Investigators are convinced
the thin strip of metal

Investigators are convinced
the thin strip of metal

fell from that DC 10.

V1.

Where it ruptured
a massive Concorde tire that

Where it ruptured
a massive Concorde tire that

fatally burst the fuel tank.

The investigators'
theory may explain

The investigators'
theory may explain

one of the most shocking
aviation disasters

the world has ever seen.

Now, all they have
to do is prove it.

Investigators test their
theory that a metal

strip could have burst the
brand new Concorde tire.

strip could have burst the
brand new Concorde tire.

Using an identical tire,
they run over a replica

Using an identical tire,
they run over a replica

of the metal strip with a
weight equal to the flight

load, 25 tons.

They get their answer.

You can't ask for a
better proof than that.

You can't ask for a
better proof than that.

However, if a
piece of flying debris

ruptured the tank, the tank
should be bent from the outside

ruptured the tank, the tank
should be bent from the outside

in.

But the tank fragment
from the runway

is bent in the opposite way.

is bent in the opposite way.

Investigators face an
unprecedented mystery.

Investigators face an
unprecedented mystery.

What punctured the Concorde's
fuel tank from the inside?

The only thing in the
fuel tank is the fuel.

The only thing in the
fuel tank is the fuel.

Maybe what burst the
tank is the fuel itself.

Maybe what burst the
tank is the fuel itself.

When a high-speed
projectile hits a container

When a high-speed
projectile hits a container

full of liquid, it can set
off a tsunami-like wave

powerful enough to rupture the
container at a different point

powerful enough to rupture the
container at a different point

from where it was struck.

Set it so the fuel
tanks are completely full.

Set it so the fuel
tanks are completely full.

Boulliard hopes
a computer simulation will

show if that's what happened.

show if that's what happened.

OK, let's watch what happens.

Fire.

Investigators work to recreate

the exact moment the tire
fragment hit the fuel tank.

the exact moment the tire
fragment hit the fuel tank.

But conditions have
to be just right.

But conditions have
to be just right.

Fire.

And when they are...

We've got it.

Well done.

Well done.

Firing a piece
of tire at the tank

can make it burst
from the inside out.

It was a revelation
to all of us,

It was a revelation
to all of us,

and, indeed, a very
plausible explanation.

We were
convinced that from the moment

the plane rolled
over the metal strip,

a catastrophe was inevitable.

a catastrophe was inevitable.

When the tire
blows and the fuel ignites,

When the tire
blows and the fuel ignites,

the crew faces an
unprecedented dilemma.

At V1 speed, the massive jet
needs more than a mile to stop.

At V1 speed, the massive jet
needs more than a mile to stop.

But there's only a 1,000
yards of runway left.

But there's only a 1,000
yards of runway left.

The pilots have no
choice but to put

the burning plane in the air.

Aborting the takeoff at 180 knots

Aborting the takeoff at 180 knots

would also have led to the total
destruction of the aircraft.

Watch the air speed.

The crew fights
hard to keep the plane flying

The crew fights
hard to keep the plane flying

right up to the very end.

No!

The accident report makes

a number of recommendations
to make the Concorde safer.

a number of recommendations
to make the Concorde safer.

Engineers designed
stronger tires

that can better
withstand the plane's

high speed and immense weight.

high speed and immense weight.

Fuel tanks are reinforced
with Kevlar to prevent leaks.

Airport authorities
also implement

a better system for monitoring
runways and removing debris.

a better system for monitoring
runways and removing debris.

What is puzzling
is that you have

a piece of metal on the runway.

a piece of metal on the runway.

It turns out to trigger one
of the most catastrophic

It turns out to trigger one
of the most catastrophic

crashes in aviation history.

The Concorde
does fly again,

but the return of the
world's only supersonic plane

but the return of the
world's only supersonic plane

doesn't last long.

Two years later, with rising
costs and falling profits,

Two years later, with rising
costs and falling profits,

the Concorde is retired.

It makes its last flight
on November 26, 2003.

It makes its last flight
on November 26, 2003.

It was such front page
news because people were sad.

I think the public realized it
was probably the end of an era.

I think the public realized it
was probably the end of an era.

When tragedy
strikes, whether in the middle

of an ocean, or in
the heart of a city,

aviation disasters grip
the public's attention

aviation disasters grip
the public's attention

and make headlines
around the world.

Welcome people
really want to know

is they want to know that
somebody's got the facts

is they want to know that
somebody's got the facts

and it's being addressed
so it doesn't happen again.

But even in the
midst of a media frenzy,

But even in the
midst of a media frenzy,

investigators persevere
and solve critical cases.

investigators persevere
and solve critical cases.

We don't care about blame.

We don't care about speculation.

We wanna know what
the hard facts are,

and we wanna follow
it wherever it leads.

and we wanna follow
it wherever it leads.