Original subtitles

An Airbus heading from Paris to Cairo disappears

over the Mediterranean.

over the Mediterranean.

A plane with some 58 passengers on board

has gone missing.

It is EgyptAir Flight 804.

It is EgyptAir Flight 804.

Flight data show a disturbing scenario.

And then they started spiraling.

What is going on in this cockpit?

What is going on in this cockpit?

The cockpit voice recorder,

found deep on the sea floor, reveals a horrifying detail.

found deep on the sea floor, reveals a horrifying detail.

There's a fire.

It has to be one of the worst things that could happen.

It has to be one of the worst things that could happen.

A shocked world demands answers.

A shocked world demands answers.

We owe it to the traveling public.

We owe it to the victims' families.

We owe it to the victims' families.

The accident investigation stalls.

Then six years later, an Italian journalist reports

an astonishing new theory.

The people need to know the truth.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are starting our approach.

We lost both engines.

We lost both engines.

Mayday, mayday.

Brace for impact!

I think I lost one.

I think I lost one.

It's going to crash!

A late night flight to Cairo cruises

A late night flight to Cairo cruises

at 37,000 feet over Greece.

Radar check.

Radar check.

Looks clear.

Thank you, Captain.

I like the way that sounds.

I like the way that sounds.

Mohammed Shoqeir is in command of tonight's flight.

Mohammed Shoqeir is in command of tonight's flight.

With more than 6,000 hours of flying time,

he's just been promoted to captain.

he's just been promoted to captain.

The initial upgrade to captain,

it's a real pinnacle event for an aviator.

It's something you work years to attain.

Winds are as forecast.

No deviation.

No deviation.

First Officer Mohamed Assem

has 2,700 hours of flying time.

He too is an ambitious pilot.

Being a pilot in Egypt is one of the most prestigious jobs

Being a pilot in Egypt is one of the most prestigious jobs

in Northern Africa.

Hi, there.

Hi, there.

Could I have a cup of coffee up here?

Make that two, please.

Make that two, please.

Make that two, please.

This was routine flight.

This was a normal crew.

Both pilots were very well trained and experienced.

Both pilots were very well trained and experienced.

The pilots fly for EgyptAir,

The pilots fly for EgyptAir,

the state-owned flagship carrier of Egypt.

EgyptAir is one of the best airlines in Africa

EgyptAir is one of the best airlines in Africa

and one of the oldest airlines in the world.

and one of the oldest airlines in the world.

Flight 804 is 2 and 1/2 hours into its journey

from Paris to Cairo.

from Paris to Cairo.

The pilots are flying an Airbus A320.

The A320 is one of the more modern fly-by-wire

The A320 is one of the more modern fly-by-wire

computer-enhanced airplanes.

It's an extremely reliable veteran

It's an extremely reliable veteran

workhorse in the commercial aviation industry.

On board the plane tonight are

On board the plane tonight are

56 international passengers...

Egyptian, French, British, and Canadian.

The five-person cabin crew has a quieter night than usual.

The plane is only half full.

The plane is only half full.

Hello, hello.

EgyptAir Flight 804.

EgyptAir Flight 804.

Flight level 370.

Squawk number 7624.

Squawk number 7624.

Captain Shoqeir updates controllers

on the flight's progress.

EgyptAir 804, radar contact.

EgyptAir 804, radar contact.

Thank you very much.

EgyptAir 804, maintain flight level 370 and current heading.

EgyptAir 804, maintain flight level 370 and current heading.

Greek controllers oversee the airspace

Greek controllers oversee the airspace

Flight 804 is flying through.

Maintain 370 and current heading.

Maintain 370 and current heading.

How's the coffee?

How's the coffee?

Strong.

Just what I need.

One of the challenges when you're flying what they call

One of the challenges when you're flying what they call

the backside of the clock...

the technical term is a circadian low...

the technical term is a circadian low...

and this is when your body normally would be asleep,

but you're having to press it because you're on duty.

but you're having to press it because you're on duty.

EgyptAir 804, contact Cairo Center now on 125.300.

EgyptAir 804, contact Cairo Center now on 125.300.

As Flight 804 leaves Greek airspace,

As Flight 804 leaves Greek airspace,

the controller hands it off to Egyptian Control.

But the pilots don't acknowledge the instruction.

The fact that they missed the call, understandable.

The fact that they missed the call, understandable.

Perhaps they were in conversation

and just missed it.

and just missed it.

EgyptAir 804, contact Cairo Center, 125.300.

EgyptAir 804, contact Cairo Center, 125.300.

After a second call, the controller

waits for confirmation from the pilots.

There's still no reply.

After the second or third call, that becomes unusual.

After the second or third call, that becomes unusual.

Something's wrong here.

Then Flight 804 disappears from radar.

Then Flight 804 disappears from radar.

Cairo, have you made contact with 804?

Cairo, have you made contact with 804?

No.

And we don't have them on radar either.

And we don't have them on radar either.

As the minutes tick by,

there's no word from the pilots.

Flight 804 doesn't arrive in Cairo.

Flight 804 doesn't arrive in Cairo.

Normally, crashes occur during takeoff, during landing.

Normally, crashes occur during takeoff, during landing.

Somebody runs into a mountain.

But at 37,000 feet, not a lot of things that can go wrong.

But at 37,000 feet, not a lot of things that can go wrong.

So in that particular case, that was a bit of a mystery.

So in that particular case, that was a bit of a mystery.

As day breaks, Egyptian, French,

and Greek ships and aircraft search for the plane

and Greek ships and aircraft search for the plane

north of the Egyptian coast.

So here is the breaking news tonight.

A plane that reportedly has some 58 passengers on board

A plane that reportedly has some 58 passengers on board

has gone missing.

A plane with some 58 passengers on board has gone missing.

It is EgyptAir Flight 804.

It is EgyptAir Flight 804.

It was en route from Paris to Cairo.

It was en route from Paris to Cairo.

Families gather at Cairo Airport, hoping for news.

One day after Flight 804 disappears, search teams

find debris from the plane.

Around the same time the aircraft

went down, in Europe, we faced a lot of terrorist attack

went down, in Europe, we faced a lot of terrorist attack

in France, in Belgium, and in other parts.

in France, in Belgium, and in other parts.

I thought that this could be a terrorist attack.

The question inevitably being asked here in Paris

The question inevitably being asked here in Paris

is whether or not the plane was sabotaged.

Any survivors?

Any survivors?

None have been found.

An investigation into the crash of Flight 804

is launched.

is launched.

66 people are feared dead.

And time is running out.

And time is running out.

Leading the inquiry is the Egyptian Civil Aviation

Authority investigation directorate.

The Bureau will do whatever it can to assist.

France's Bureau of Investigation and Analysis

France's Bureau of Investigation and Analysis

for Civil Aviation Safety...

the BEA... assists.

the BEA... assists.

The A320 is built in Europe, and French nationals were on board.

What do we know so far?

Very little, I'm afraid.

Very little, I'm afraid.

It was at cruise, and then it was gone.

It's a worldwide news event, and so the pressure is on.

It's a worldwide news event, and so the pressure is on.

And as an investigator, you have to say,

And as an investigator, you have to say,

no, we're going to do this methodically and properly.

The current and tide could scatter

The current and tide could scatter

debris hundreds of kilometers from the point of impact.

But satellite images show an oil slick on the water.

But satellite images show an oil slick on the water.

If you find an oil slick, there

is a high likelihood that the airplane impacted

is a high likelihood that the airplane impacted

the water in this area.

The more you can narrow the search down,

The more you can narrow the search down,

the higher the likelihood you'll find

the wreckage on the sea floor.

Hopefully, the ROVs will find it soon.

The oil slick covers waters 3,000 meters,

The oil slick covers waters 3,000 meters,

or nearly 10,000 feet, deep.

Exploration at such depth demands sophisticated undersea

Exploration at such depth demands sophisticated undersea

technology and expertise.

Anything?

Anything?

BEA investigators lead an advance

dive team in the hunt for the wreckage of Flight 804.

dive team in the hunt for the wreckage of Flight 804.

Their ships are equipped with sonar

units capable of detecting the signals from black boxes.

units capable of detecting the signals from black boxes.

Underwater searches actually have

a good side and a bad side.

a good side and a bad side.

They kind of slow things down and allow

investigators to kind of get their act together a bit.

investigators to kind of get their act together a bit.

It allows them to accept wreckage

gradually rather than in a big pile, and that's a good thing.

gradually rather than in a big pile, and that's a good thing.

Other than that, on the bad side, it takes a long time.

Other than that, on the bad side, it takes a long time.

Did you pick up on anything unusual?

As the search for the plane continues,

the investigation onshore gains pace.

the investigation onshore gains pace.

They were passing through Greek airspace.

EgyptAir 804, maintain flight level 370 and current heading.

EgyptAir 804, maintain flight level 370 and current heading.

Can the Greek controller

Can the Greek controller

who last spoke to the crew provide

investigators with any clues?

investigators with any clues?

In the early days of any investigation,

you want to interview the air traffic controller.

you want to interview the air traffic controller.

Did the crew make any ATC communications

advising that they had a mechanical problem?

advising that they had a mechanical problem?

Maintain 370 and current heading.

He spoke to us in Greek.

He sounded very relaxed.

It was all very routine.

Any emergency calls?

No.

None.

None.

There had been a conversation between the aircraft

and the Greek traffic control only moments

before this event took place.

before this event took place.

It's completely inexplicable as to why communication

would suddenly stop.

would suddenly stop.

Investigators don't know if there

is a malfunction or something more sinister,

like an act of terrorism.

like an act of terrorism.

This should fill in some gaps.

This should fill in some gaps.

Using radar and satellite data,

investigators reconstruct the plane's flight

path after contact was lost.

path after contact was lost.

It's making a left turn.

Now it's making a right turn.

Now it's making a right turn.

They're dropping altitude fast.

After a sudden left turn,

Flight 804 spirals downwards until it hits the sea.

Flight 804 spirals downwards until it hits the sea.

If you have a problem, you want to get towards an airport

If you have a problem, you want to get towards an airport

so you would not want to circle on your way down.

Maybe.

Maybe.

But he'd have time to tell the ATC.

The flight path of EgyptAir Flight 804

raises some troubling questions.

raises some troubling questions.

A spiral descent is what will eventually

happen to an airplane if it's completely

happen to an airplane if it's completely

left alone by the pilots and not controlled by an autopilot.

left alone by the pilots and not controlled by an autopilot.

Did something prevent the pilots from operating

the plane's controls?

Investigators hang their hopes on the recovery

Investigators hang their hopes on the recovery

of the black boxes from the wreckage.

But what remains of the plane is somewhere 3,000 meters, or

But what remains of the plane is somewhere 3,000 meters, or

nearly 10,000 feet, underwater.

3,000 meters of water is a very, very challenging

3,000 meters of water is a very, very challenging

environment, under immense pressure.

A surface vessel uses hydrophones to scan the sea

A surface vessel uses hydrophones to scan the sea

for a specific frequency being transmitted

or pinged by the black boxes.

or pinged by the black boxes.

If the transmitter is not buried in either wreckage

If the transmitter is not buried in either wreckage

or in the sea floor, you can pick it up from a pretty good

distance out.

It's a race against time.

It's a race against time.

The pingers and the black boxes only have battery

power to transmit for 30 days.

power to transmit for 30 days.

Look.

Is that it?

Is that it?

Two weeks into the search, investigators

track a frequency that matches the pingers.

track a frequency that matches the pingers.

That's gotta be it.

The team deploys a remotely-operated submarine

The team deploys a remotely-operated submarine

equipped with cameras and robotic arms

to confirm the find.

to confirm the find.

Technicians control the submarine through a tether

that extends from the ship.

OK.

It should be right there.

It should be right there.

Here's the plane.

Here's the plane.

They find the wreckage but now must

locate the flight recorders.

They're looking for the flight data

They're looking for the flight data

and cockpit voice recorders.

Those are our key pieces of evidence

Those are our key pieces of evidence

in the investigative process.

OK, slowly.

Slowly.

I see it... there.

Using the submarine's robotic arms,

Using the submarine's robotic arms,

the team extracts the black boxes.

These things are gold to an investigator.

And to be able to go down that deep, and in those cold,

And to be able to go down that deep, and in those cold,

frigid, dark waters, and pick things out selectively?

frigid, dark waters, and pick things out selectively?

That's magic.

Here's what they found so far.

Here's what they found so far.

While black box data is recovered,

investigators in Egypt review the debris field

investigators in Egypt review the debris field

mapped from underwater footage.

It looks like a fairly contained area.

It looks like a fairly contained area.

It doesn't seem like the plane exploded.

If it came apart midair, the debris would

be scattered further apart.

be scattered further apart.

The destruction of the plane

likely occurred on impact with the water,

likely occurred on impact with the water,

not while in the air.

So the plane was intact through a 37,000-feet descent.

So the plane was intact through a 37,000-feet descent.

That's a long time.

That's a long time.

Why didn't the pilots tell the controllers what was going on?

There's a saying in aviation.

There's a saying in aviation.

During an emergency, you need to first aviate,

and then you navigate, and lastly, you communicate.

and then you navigate, and lastly, you communicate.

The cockpit voice recorder should help.

Investigators wonder what was happening

in the cockpit of EgyptAir Flight 804 in the minutes

before it crashed.

There have been a couple of cases

where pilots have deliberately done something

where pilots have deliberately done something

to cause the aircraft to crash and to achieve

their own suicide by it.

their own suicide by it.

Just 10 months earlier,

a pilot on a Germanwings Airbus deliberately crashed

a pilot on a Germanwings Airbus deliberately crashed

into the French Alps, killing 150 people.

But this didn't look like one of those.

But this didn't look like one of those.

It really looked as if the aircraft was out of control.

It really looked as if the aircraft was out of control.

The question then is, why on Earth

was it from normal, regular flight suddenly out of control?

was it from normal, regular flight suddenly out of control?

We've got data.

We've got data.

It's from EgyptAir.

Airbus and EgyptAir provide a source of evidence.

Airbus and EgyptAir provide a source of evidence.

What are they saying?

They were a bunch of ACARS messages.

They were a bunch of ACARS messages.

A digital data link system

called ACARS sends short messages

from the aircraft to ground stations via satellite.

from the aircraft to ground stations via satellite.

The ACARS messages are one thing that the investigators

will go look at early because they know

will go look at early because they know

the airplane is transmitting.

Is there anything unusual in those transmissions?

Is there anything unusual in those transmissions?

11 messages in total.

From EgyptAir, the investigating team

From EgyptAir, the investigating team

receives the full list of ACARS transmissions from Flight 804.

receives the full list of ACARS transmissions from Flight 804.

It looks like the first four messages are minor maintenance

It looks like the first four messages are minor maintenance

messages during engine startup.

But these seven messages occurred

within a 3-minute time span.

within a 3-minute time span.

What's that?

Default messages reveal a crew confronted

by a series of warnings 3 hours and 17 minutes into the flight.

by a series of warnings 3 hours and 17 minutes into the flight.

"Anti-ice, right window."

It starts on the right side of the plane with the right

It starts on the right side of the plane with the right

window anti-ice system.

What's going on over there?

What's going on over there?

I don't see anything.

The second message is from the right side windows too.

The second message is from the right side windows too.

The first two ACARS messages tell investigators

that there was a problem with the windshield panels

that there was a problem with the windshield panels

on the cockpit's right side.

The sensor in the sliding window

The sensor in the sliding window

is primarily to determine the temperature of the window

so that the heating elements can maintain

so that the heating elements can maintain

the desired temperature.

Check out this third warning.

"Smoke in a lavatory."

"Smoke in a lavatory."

There's smoke in the avionics bay as well.

We've got trouble.

Something's wrong.

Something's wrong.

Critical computers are located in the avionics bay.

Smoke in the avionics bay, that can

Smoke in the avionics bay, that can

get you in trouble real quick.

Just 2 minutes after the smoke warnings,

the pilots discover that their primary flight

the pilots discover that their primary flight

controls are failing.

We've got an SEC problem.

The SEC computer manages the spoilers

and elevators which move up and down to change

and elevators which move up and down to change

the plane's pitch and roll.

If the crew knew this, there is yet another piece

If the crew knew this, there is yet another piece

of evidence that there's something seriously

wrong in the avionics bay.

wrong in the avionics bay.

If they are losing flight controls,

that could explain the slow spiraling descent.

that could explain the slow spiraling descent.

Let us move to the backup.

The A320 flight control system was designed so

The A320 flight control system was designed so

that if one system failed, the backup system

would still operate.

would still operate.

If one fails, fails totally, the other system

will give them enough control to get the aircraft back to base.

will give them enough control to get the aircraft back to base.

There aren't any warnings on the other flight control

computers.

computers.

The ACARS messages tell investigators

Flight 804 was in serious trouble in the final minutes

Flight 804 was in serious trouble in the final minutes

before it crashed.

All pointing to one thing.

There's a fire at the front of the plane.

There's a fire at the front of the plane.

There's nothing that could happen on an airplane that is

more chilling and more dangerous than fire on board

more chilling and more dangerous than fire on board

because fires can spread very rapidly,

because fires can spread very rapidly,

and they can do tremendous damage to control systems.

and they can do tremendous damage to control systems.

After analyzing the ACARS warnings,

the investigators grapple with the devastating

implications of the discovery.

implications of the discovery.

Maybe they're too busy fighting the fire

to call air traffic control.

to call air traffic control.

You must get the fire out quickly.

You just cannot allow it to spread.

The investigators want to discover

exactly where it started.

exactly where it started.

The whole reason for the investigation

is to prevent this happening again.

All right, let's have a listen.

All right, let's have a listen.

When cockpit voice data retrieved from the sea

floor arrives in Egypt, investigators listen

floor arrives in Egypt, investigators listen

for information about the fire.

GREEK CONTROLLER (ON RECORDING): Egypt 804,

maintain flight level 370 and current heading.

maintain flight level 370 and current heading.

CAPTAIN SHOQEIR (ON RECORDING): Maintain 370

and current heading.

The BEA helped the Egyptians by downloading the data.

The BEA helped the Egyptians by downloading the data.

But then the BEA had to hand the cockpit voice

But then the BEA had to hand the cockpit voice

recorder over to the Egyptians.

CAPTAIN SHOQEIR (ON RECORDING):

There's a fire.

There's a fire.

The crew's statement of the word "fire"

The crew's statement of the word "fire"

indicates that they have evidence, hard evidence,

that there is a real-time fire that they need to contend with.

that there is a real-time fire that they need to contend with.

Thank you.

After listening to the CVR,

the Egyptian investigators report

the Egyptian investigators report

their findings to France's Bureau of Investigation

and Analysis, or BEA.

and Analysis, or BEA.

I'm afraid our suspicions have been confirmed.

The pilots are on the recording, saying there's a fire on board.

The pilots are on the recording, saying there's a fire on board.

Any idea where it started?

It's spreading.

Where's it coming from?

I don't know.

I don't know.

No, there's no indications.

No, there's no indications.

Well, we'll have to find out another way.

When are you coming back?

When are you coming back?

I'm sorry, I need to stay in Cairo.

Why was there a fire?

The crew states the word "fire."

The crew states the word "fire."

Why?

Where?

Seven months into the international investigation

Seven months into the international investigation

aided by the BEA, the Egyptian government

suddenly releases a statement to the media.

suddenly releases a statement to the media.

Come on.

The Egyptians believe that this was some form of sabotage

The Egyptians believe that this was some form of sabotage

involving an explosive.

The Egyptian government

believes an act of terrorism may have brought

believes an act of terrorism may have brought

down EgyptAir Flight 804.

By law, the investigation is handed over

By law, the investigation is handed over

to Egypt's state's prosecutor.

It's out of my hands.

You must understand.

You must understand.

The Egyptian authorities advance the theory that there

was an explosion on board.

was an explosion on board.

That is certainly something to be considered,

but you provide the evidence for everyone to see.

but you provide the evidence for everyone to see.

Can we see your forensic report?

Can we see your forensic report?

The case is with state investigators now.

I'm sorry.

There's too much room for error here.

There's too much room for error here.

Are you sure it's not a false positive?

The tests are conclusive.

The tests are conclusive.

The BEA and Airbus tried their best, say, hey,

we're here to help, we're here to help, we're here to help.

we're here to help, we're here to help, we're here to help.

And they were ignored.

OK.

To say, well, we have evidence,

To say, well, we have evidence,

and we're not going to discuss it any further,

flies in the face of the International Civil Aviation

flies in the face of the International Civil Aviation

Organization agreements that have been

made by countries worldwide.

made by countries worldwide.

In Milan, Italy, aviation journalist Leo Berberi

In Milan, Italy, aviation journalist Leo Berberi

follows the case closely.

The Egyptian investigators started

The Egyptian investigators started

talking about an explosion aboard as a result

of a terrorist attack.

of a terrorist attack.

And when asked to provide proof, they didn't provide any,

and that was welcomed with a lot of skepticism

and that was welcomed with a lot of skepticism

from the aviation community.

Are there chemical residue that is

consistent with an explosive?

If it had been a bomb, nobody claimed responsibility.

If it had been a bomb, nobody claimed responsibility.

That makes the entire exercise of bombing an aircraft pretty

That makes the entire exercise of bombing an aircraft pretty

damn useless.

Ah.

Ah.

Our own forensics are in.

Their accident investigators from France's BEA

independently look into the terrorism theory.

independently look into the terrorism theory.

They test materials from the crash for explosive residue.

They test materials from the crash for explosive residue.

Negative for traces of explosive.

They can't find any evidence

They can't find any evidence

to support the bomb theory.

The information they had denied what the Egyptians were

The information they had denied what the Egyptians were

suddenly claiming.

There's gotta be a connection here.

There's gotta be a connection here.

Unconvinced by the Egyptian government's bomb

theory, BEA investigators hunt for the source

theory, BEA investigators hunt for the source

of a fire they're certain ripped through Flight 804.

of a fire they're certain ripped through Flight 804.

There's a fire.

The right window heating element is first.

The right window heating element is first.

They look for a pattern in the ACARS messages

to explain the cause of the fire.

to explain the cause of the fire.

There has to be something in common,

and that's the big question.

What could trigger this?

What could trigger this?

Then smoke in the lavatory and avionics bay.

It's moving from front to back.

It's moving from front to back.

The order matters in that you may be able to say the fire

is increasing.

is increasing.

It's also propagating, it's moving,

so it's affecting different parts of the airplane.

so it's affecting different parts of the airplane.

The last warning the ACARS system processed

had to do with a flight control problem.

That was a very serious one.

That was a very serious one.

Everything seemed to kind of center

in on the avionics compartment.

in on the avionics compartment.

The avionics bay is packed with wiring.

Maybe some wires sparked and ignited.

Maybe some wires sparked and ignited.

The A320, like a lot of modern jets,

The A320, like a lot of modern jets,

is a fly-by-wire airplane, so the computers actually control

is a fly-by-wire airplane, so the computers actually control

the flight control position.

If you were to lose all electricity in the airplane,

If you were to lose all electricity in the airplane,

maintaining control becomes very, very challenging.

My belief was that this was an avionics bay fire.

My belief was that this was an avionics bay fire.

The smoke penetrated probably via the floor

or the floor panels, penetrated into the forward lavatory.

or the floor panels, penetrated into the forward lavatory.

Did faulty wiring in the avionics bay

Did faulty wiring in the avionics bay

ignite a fire on board?

It sounds like Swissair 111.

It sounds like Swissair 111.

On Swissair 111, arcing in the wiring

On Swissair 111, arcing in the wiring

of the plane's entertainment system

was identified as the source of a tragic fire

that killed 229 people.

that killed 229 people.

As soon as I heard about the ACARS messages

about smoke in the avionics bay, I immediately

about smoke in the avionics bay, I immediately

thought of Swissair 111.

thought of Swissair 111.

Did an electrical fire start in the avionics bay

on board EgyptAir Flight 804?

on board EgyptAir Flight 804?

A fire can happen on board any aircraft.

A fire can happen on board any aircraft.

They can be caused by a variety of things,

but very often, they're triggered by some kind

but very often, they're triggered by some kind

of an electrical fault.

If there was faulty wiring on an A320 that

crashed into the Mediterranean, it

crashed into the Mediterranean, it

would have grave repercussions.

If that were the cause, you can inspect the rest

If that were the cause, you can inspect the rest

of the fleet and make sure that the same chafing is not

happening in the rest of the fleet.

happening in the rest of the fleet.

But without the assistance of the Egyptian

Civil Aviation Ministry, there's no way to determine

Civil Aviation Ministry, there's no way to determine

the cause of the fire.

The BEA's investigation stalls due to lack of evidence.

The BEA's investigation stalls due to lack of evidence.

It's really vital to have a final report

It's really vital to have a final report

because that's the only way to improve aviation to avoid

making the same mistakes.

making the same mistakes.

More than six years after the crash of Flight 804,

there's still no official report or conclusion to Egypt's

criminal investigation.

Pronto.

Pronto.

In March of 2022, aviation journalist

Leo Berberi gets a huge scoop.

Leo Berberi gets a huge scoop.

After years that I was harassing people

involved directly in the investigation,

involved directly in the investigation,

someone in France had some news for me about that flight.

someone in France had some news for me about that flight.

I'll meet you there.

Sera meets a trusted source who offers

Sera meets a trusted source who offers

another explanation for the crash of EgyptAir Flight 804.

We met, and the person handed me the document.

We met, and the person handed me the document.

Berberi learns from the confidential source details

of an investigation launched by the French judiciary, staffed

of an investigation launched by the French judiciary, staffed

with a team of technical experts appointed to analyze

the available evidence.

the available evidence.

The French judiciary involved five experts in aviation

and in accidents, probably some of the best in the world,

and in accidents, probably some of the best in the world,

and handed them all the documents, all the data

and handed them all the documents, all the data

they had about that flight.

The aim is to determine

if the accident constituted involuntary manslaughter.

if the accident constituted involuntary manslaughter.

The French government started the investigation in Paris

because there were French citizens among the victims

because there were French citizens among the victims

on that flight.

Berberi confirms the report

Berberi confirms the report

with the French judicial investigation,

which had secured copies of the cockpit voice recorder.

All we were told is the pilots reported the fire

All we were told is the pilots reported the fire

but didn't mention its location.

Let's see what they said.

The investigators began their analysis

The investigators began their analysis

by looking for answers to the main question...

how did a fire start on Flight 804?

how did a fire start on Flight 804?

We had a lot of questions, a lot of theories,

but no answers.

The word "fire" that is on the voice recorder

The word "fire" that is on the voice recorder

indicates this was something other than an explosion.

indicates this was something other than an explosion.

Tired?

I'm OK.

I'm OK.

Stop.

Stop.

Do you hear that?

Play it again.

CAPTAIN SHOQEIR (ON RECORDING): Tired?

CAPTAIN SHOQEIR (ON RECORDING): Tired?

FIRST OFFICER ASSEM I'm OK.

Looks like there's something on channel 3.

Can you isolate it visually?

Can you isolate it visually?

The cockpit voice recorders not only can record voices,

but they record noises in the cockpit, which

but they record noises in the cockpit, which

can tell us another story too.

Investigators isolate the channels.

Investigators isolate the channels.

On one of the channels, they hear something unusual.

What's that sound?

What's that sound?

They worked on that audio, changing the sound spectrum

They worked on that audio, changing the sound spectrum

to reduce the low frequencies.

This could allow them to hear clearly

This could allow them to hear clearly

something coming from one of the microphones of the pilots.

something coming from one of the microphones of the pilots.

It's like a whispering sound.

It's like a whispering sound.

Can you pull the library of sounds?

Investigators compare the sound

to similar sounds in a database of cockpit noises.

to similar sounds in a database of cockpit noises.

Not... not this one.

Not that one either.

Not that one either.

Play that one.

No, that's not it.

No, that's not it.

What about this one?

That's it.

It's the oxygen mask.

Was oxygen leaking from a mask in the cockpit?

Was oxygen leaking from a mask in the cockpit?

It says here that if not stowed properly,

it's going to leak.

Now, the closest oxygen mask to channel 3

is this one, right behind first officer seat.

is this one, right behind first officer seat.

Hello, hello?

EgyptAir 804.

EgyptAir 804.

Flight level 370.

Squawk number 7624.

Squawk number 7624.

The implication of the discovery is immediately clear.

That's fuel for the fire.

That's fuel for the fire.

In an oxygen-enriched environment,

the potential for ignition goes up,

the potential for ignition goes up,

and the severity of the ensuing fire post-ignition goes up.

and the severity of the ensuing fire post-ignition goes up.

An oxygen leak can feed a fire,

but it can't ignite one.

but it can't ignite one.

Investigators wonder what could have started the fire.

I need reports from cases with in-flight fires.

I need reports from cases with in-flight fires.

Are there other cases where a similar fire

brought a plane down?

One of the early things you do is

One of the early things you do is

has the fleet seen this before or anything similar to it?

Have there been flight deck fires?

Have there been flight deck fires?

And there have.

In June 1983, an onboard fire

In June 1983, an onboard fire

ripped through an Air Canada DC-9

and forced the pilots to make a harrowing emergency landing.

and forced the pilots to make a harrowing emergency landing.

American investigators theorized that a lit cigarette

in the lavatory was one of the possible causes.

in the lavatory was one of the possible causes.

Perhaps the pilots were smoking.

Smoking regulations for pilots in Egypt, what are they?

Smoking regulations for pilots in Egypt, what are they?

Smoking has been banned on most airlines

around the world for years.

Unbelievable.

EgyptAir did not allow smoking on board

except in the cockpit.

except in the cockpit.

It was allowed in 2016 to smoke in the EgyptAir cockpit

It was allowed in 2016 to smoke in the EgyptAir cockpit

with the authorization of the captain.

With no ban on smoking for pilots at EgyptAir in 2016,

With no ban on smoking for pilots at EgyptAir in 2016,

French judicial investigators put forth a theory that focuses

French judicial investigators put forth a theory that focuses

on the pilots of Flight 804.

Listen to this...

Listen to this...

the ashtrays were replaced before the accident.

The Egyptian Pilots' Association

The Egyptian Pilots' Association

insists that the pilots were not smokers.

According to the Egyptian authorities

According to the Egyptian authorities

and the Egyptian media, the pilots weren't smokers.

and the Egyptian media, the pilots weren't smokers.

But according to other pilots that I interviewed,

they were smokers.

they were smokers.

Studying maintenance records for the aircraft,

investigators make an important discovery.

It's not just the ashtrays that were changed.

It's not just the ashtrays that were changed.

They replaced the FO's oxygen mask,

and it looks like it was left in emergency mode.

and it looks like it was left in emergency mode.

This is just what we need.

The first officer's oxygen mask was changed

The first officer's oxygen mask was changed

three days before the accident.

According to the experts, the oxygen mask was set improperly

According to the experts, the oxygen mask was set improperly

on an emergency mode.

on an emergency mode.

When an oxygen mask is in emergency mode,

it feeds oxygen at a higher pressure,

it feeds oxygen at a higher pressure,

releasing more oxygen than when it's in normal mode.

I can see where it could, depending on the position,

I can see where it could, depending on the position,

initiate flow out of the hose into the mask

initiate flow out of the hose into the mask

and then into the environment.

Aren't the pilots supposed to check the oxygen

masks at the start of each day?

masks at the start of each day?

Pilots are supposed to check that setting

unless someone else on the first flight of that day

unless someone else on the first flight of that day

has already done that.

But that doesn't mean that you can do that again.

But that doesn't mean that you can do that again.

French judicial investigators speculate

that the leaking oxygen saturated

that the leaking oxygen saturated

the cockpit air, increasing the potential for a sudden fire.

The French report concluded that the aircraft went down

because there was something, most probably a cigarette, that

because there was something, most probably a cigarette, that

with the contribution of the oxygen

with the contribution of the oxygen

leaking from the first officer's mask

started a fire that wasn't stopped

started a fire that wasn't stopped

or could not be stopped.

Leo Berberi breaks the story

Leo Berberi breaks the story

that the French judicial inquiry has

a very different theory from either the Egyptian government

or France's BEA.

or France's BEA.

It's a theory questioned by many experts.

It's a theory questioned by many experts.

Just imagining that this mask is filling the cockpit

with a high percentage of oxygen is ridiculous because the feed,

with a high percentage of oxygen is ridiculous because the feed,

even when it's at full blast, is intended

even when it's at full blast, is intended

to be enough feed to the pilot's face like this in the cockpit.

to be enough feed to the pilot's face like this in the cockpit.

That would have been minimal.

Let's move to the backup.

To me, frankly, this is a bit of a stretch.

To me, frankly, this is a bit of a stretch.

Officially, the ignition source for the onboard

fire remains an open question.

fire remains an open question.

Families of those lost in the tragedy

still have no firm answers.

still have no firm answers.

The Egyptians maintain that this was an act of terrorism.

The Egyptians maintain that this was an act of terrorism.

Two alternate explanations remain on the table...

Two alternate explanations remain on the table...

the cigarette theory and the faulty wiring theory.

the cigarette theory and the faulty wiring theory.

What caused Egypt 804 to crash remains a mystery.

What caused Egypt 804 to crash remains a mystery.

But one fact is clear...

But one fact is clear...

whatever happened could happen again.

It's absolutely vital that we find out what caused

It's absolutely vital that we find out what caused

the fire on this airplane.

the fire on this airplane.

Aviation does not do well with mysteries.

We never have.

CAPTAIN SHOQEIR (ON PA): It's spreading.

Where's it coming from?

Where's it coming from?

FIRST OFFICER ASSEM I don't know.

CAPTAIN SHOQEIR (ON PA): I'm taking us down.

The Egyptians have since

The Egyptians have since

banned smoking in the cockpit.

As the year 2023 begins, there still isn't an official report.

As the year 2023 begins, there still isn't an official report.

I think we know that there's a lot more

information that has been gathered about Flight 804

information that has been gathered about Flight 804

than has been released.

An incomplete investigation leaves

An incomplete investigation leaves

behind an incomplete story.

Multiple unanswered questions tarnish the case.

Multiple unanswered questions tarnish the case.

What's that?

But there's agreement that the crisis

But there's agreement that the crisis

began suddenly, escalated rapidly, and forced

the pilots to act fast.

the pilots to act fast.

While the plane is cruising at 37,000 feet,

the first signs of a crisis become apparent.

the first signs of a crisis become apparent.

Things had started going wrong.

There's a fire.

You need to get the airplane on the ground now.

Too many things are failing.

Too many warnings are coming up.

It's spreading.

It's spreading.

Where's it coming from?

I don't know.

The warnings would have

spurred the pilots into action, but the situation worsened.

spurred the pilots into action, but the situation worsened.

It's getting increasingly smoky.

They're going to be increasingly having trouble with breathing.

They're going to be increasingly having trouble with breathing.

Blower override.

Cabin fans off.

Cabin fans off.

The pilots would have followed the procedures

for smoke in the cockpit in an attempt

to isolate the source of the smoke.

to isolate the source of the smoke.

Electrical bus tie auto.

Electrical bus tie auto.

Try to start ZBU.

The electrical emergency configuration

would have shut down most of the aircraft's systems,

would have shut down most of the aircraft's systems,

leaving the pilots with only basic controls

to bring the plane down.

to bring the plane down.

This is what you do if there's a fire.

It has been a proven safeguard in airliners

It has been a proven safeguard in airliners

for quite a long time.

It seems the fire grew.

I'm taking us down.

And spread into the passenger cabin.

And spread into the passenger cabin.

There is a fire extinguisher in the flight deck.

There is a fire extinguisher in the flight deck.

So where's the fire?

What's the intensity of the fire?

Where is it progressing?

Where is it progressing?

Every second the fire burns, the more

damage the plane sustains.

The situation in the flight deck

The situation in the flight deck

would be chaos because it's becoming increasingly

would be chaos because it's becoming increasingly

difficult for the pilots to know what they are fighting against.

difficult for the pilots to know what they are fighting against.

I can't see.

The cockpit of Flight 804

was likely engulfed in flames as the pilots

was likely engulfed in flames as the pilots

tried to save their plane.

How exactly the pilots tried to fight back the fire

How exactly the pilots tried to fight back the fire

is another one of Flight 804's unsolved mysteries.

is another one of Flight 804's unsolved mysteries.

If nobody knows about what went wrong

in a particular accident, how can

in a particular accident, how can

they change their own programs?

How can they devise their aircraft better?

If mistakes were made by EgyptAir or by Airbus,

If mistakes were made by EgyptAir or by Airbus,

they remain unpublicized.

Airbus has not made any changes to the design of the A320

Airbus has not made any changes to the design of the A320

as a result of this accident.

It's been a large number of years

It's been a large number of years

since this tragedy happened, and we still don't know why.

We owe it to the traveling public.

We owe it to the traveling public.

We owe it to crew members.

We owe it to the victims' families.