Original subtitles

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.