1 00:00:01,208 --> 00:00:04,961 (narrator): A horror story unfolds at 4,000 feet. 2 00:00:05,713 --> 00:00:07,923 - There were actual flames coming up 3 00:00:08,048 --> 00:00:10,342 through the cockpit floor. (grunts) 4 00:00:10,467 --> 00:00:11,885 We were starting to be burned. 5 00:00:12,010 --> 00:00:16,015 - Fire is consuming Pilgrim Airlines Flight 458. 6 00:00:16,140 --> 00:00:18,600 - This airplane was a death trap. 7 00:00:18,725 --> 00:00:20,645 - It was time to fight for your life. 8 00:00:20,811 --> 00:00:22,771 - The pilots have just seconds 9 00:00:22,938 --> 00:00:24,439 to get their plane on the ground. 10 00:00:24,606 --> 00:00:26,067 - All I could see were trees. 11 00:00:26,192 --> 00:00:27,734 - Hold on! 12 00:00:27,859 --> 00:00:29,402 - It wasn't going to be a smooth landing. 13 00:00:29,529 --> 00:00:31,363 (crashing) 14 00:00:31,488 --> 00:00:35,118 - 11 of the 12 people on board make it out alive. 15 00:00:35,283 --> 00:00:39,287 But the fire destroys any evidence of its origin. 16 00:00:39,454 --> 00:00:40,914 - The whole plane's incinerated. 17 00:00:41,039 --> 00:00:43,750 - A surviving pilot gives NTSB investigators 18 00:00:43,875 --> 00:00:45,795 the break they need. 19 00:00:45,962 --> 00:00:47,630 - The first time I hit the switch, 20 00:00:47,796 --> 00:00:48,880 I saw the smoke 21 00:00:49,005 --> 00:00:51,800 coming from the base of the control column. 22 00:00:51,925 --> 00:00:55,387 - That was a very, very large statement 23 00:00:55,512 --> 00:00:57,056 to an investigator. 24 00:00:57,181 --> 00:00:58,390 (theme music) 25 00:00:58,515 --> 00:01:00,434 (computer): Mayday, Mayday. 26 00:01:01,853 --> 00:01:03,979 (alarm blaring) Pull up! 27 00:01:05,773 --> 00:01:07,984 (indistinct radio chatter) 28 00:01:16,116 --> 00:01:19,244 (soft music) 29 00:01:21,913 --> 00:01:23,499 (narrator): There are 10 passengers 30 00:01:23,666 --> 00:01:26,836 on board Pilgrim Airlines Flight 458. 31 00:01:28,545 --> 00:01:29,547 (pilot): Folks, 32 00:01:29,714 --> 00:01:30,505 we'll be getting airborne shortly, 33 00:01:30,672 --> 00:01:31,798 so please make sure 34 00:01:31,923 --> 00:01:34,217 your seatbelts are fastened at this time. 35 00:01:34,384 --> 00:01:36,011 All set. 36 00:01:36,136 --> 00:01:37,804 - Nicely done. 37 00:01:37,929 --> 00:01:40,015 (narrator): Just after three in the afternoon, 38 00:01:40,140 --> 00:01:43,603 the Twin Otter starts down the runway. 39 00:01:43,728 --> 00:01:45,104 - 60 knots. 40 00:01:45,229 --> 00:01:46,856 - 60 knots. 41 00:01:48,232 --> 00:01:52,153 - Flight 458 lifts off from Groton, Connecticut. 42 00:01:54,070 --> 00:01:56,490 The flight is a short hop to Boston, 43 00:01:56,616 --> 00:01:58,950 just 87 miles to the north. 44 00:02:01,204 --> 00:02:02,747 - Positive rate. 45 00:02:02,914 --> 00:02:04,456 - Flaps up. 46 00:02:04,581 --> 00:02:05,832 - Flaps up. 47 00:02:06,666 --> 00:02:11,296 - 36-year-old Thomas Prinster is the captain flying today. 48 00:02:11,421 --> 00:02:14,383 He's been with the airline for three years. 49 00:02:14,550 --> 00:02:16,010 - Tom was loved by all. 50 00:02:16,135 --> 00:02:18,929 He would show us how to fly that airplane, 51 00:02:19,095 --> 00:02:21,015 what you don't wanna do, what you do wanna do. 52 00:02:21,140 --> 00:02:24,142 Um, he was just a real pleasure to fly with. 53 00:02:26,312 --> 00:02:27,813 - Temperatures and pressure is in the green. 54 00:02:27,939 --> 00:02:29,856 Looking good. 55 00:02:29,981 --> 00:02:32,693 Pilgrim 458 now passing through 1,000 feet. 56 00:02:32,818 --> 00:02:34,653 (radio): Pilgrim 458, roger that, 57 00:02:34,778 --> 00:02:36,404 passing 1,000. 58 00:02:36,529 --> 00:02:40,242 (narrator): 27-year-old First Officer Lyle Hogg 59 00:02:40,367 --> 00:02:42,911 has only been with the airline for a few months. 60 00:02:43,079 --> 00:02:44,789 - Before I went to Pilgrim Airlines, 61 00:02:44,956 --> 00:02:47,749 I had about 1,500 hours. 62 00:02:47,874 --> 00:02:52,921 Um, in my time at Pilgrim prior to this, 63 00:02:53,046 --> 00:02:56,759 I'd flown approximately 400 hours. 64 00:02:57,927 --> 00:03:00,845 - The pilots are flying a De Havilland Dash 6, 65 00:03:00,972 --> 00:03:03,599 Twin Otter, a turboprop airplane 66 00:03:03,724 --> 00:03:06,142 that's popular with regional airlines. 67 00:03:07,060 --> 00:03:09,647 - It was a twin-engine turboprop 68 00:03:09,814 --> 00:03:12,107 used on local flights for the most part. 69 00:03:12,232 --> 00:03:15,861 A very popular airplane in its day. 70 00:03:15,986 --> 00:03:19,407 It helped lead the regional airline revolution 71 00:03:19,532 --> 00:03:21,158 that was going on at the time, 72 00:03:21,325 --> 00:03:24,119 and it was used all over the world. 73 00:03:27,831 --> 00:03:30,625 - Pilgrim 458, climb 4,000. 74 00:03:30,750 --> 00:03:32,962 Report Norwich V-O-R. 75 00:03:33,587 --> 00:03:36,339 - The flight to Boston lasts only 40 minutes. 76 00:03:36,506 --> 00:03:39,885 There's no flight attendant on board. 77 00:03:40,010 --> 00:03:42,095 One of the passengers on today's flight 78 00:03:42,220 --> 00:03:45,141 is US Air flight engineer Harry Polychron. 79 00:03:45,308 --> 00:03:48,476 He's flying to Boston for the start of his shift. 80 00:03:49,353 --> 00:03:51,689 - My flight out of Boston the next day 81 00:03:51,855 --> 00:03:52,981 was early in the morning, 82 00:03:53,148 --> 00:03:56,360 so my plan was to arrive on Sunday night, 83 00:03:56,527 --> 00:03:57,694 get a hotel room, 84 00:03:57,861 --> 00:04:00,822 so I would be all set and ready to go. 85 00:04:01,615 --> 00:04:04,076 - Paul Hainsworth is a business consultant 86 00:04:04,201 --> 00:04:07,495 who is catching a connecting flight in Boston. 87 00:04:07,620 --> 00:04:09,790 - Once we started the takeoff 88 00:04:09,915 --> 00:04:11,917 and started going up into the air, 89 00:04:12,042 --> 00:04:14,879 I literally just tipped my head over, 90 00:04:15,045 --> 00:04:17,297 closed my eyes and started dozing. 91 00:04:17,422 --> 00:04:18,506 I was tired. 92 00:04:18,631 --> 00:04:21,677 - The plane reaches its cruising altitude 93 00:04:21,802 --> 00:04:23,679 of 4,000 feet. 94 00:04:23,845 --> 00:04:25,764 - The weather was a typical February day 95 00:04:25,889 --> 00:04:27,266 in New England. 96 00:04:27,391 --> 00:04:30,186 There was clouds at about 3,000 feet, 97 00:04:30,353 --> 00:04:33,355 with some freezing drizzle, freezing rain. 98 00:04:34,523 --> 00:04:38,026 (radio): Pilgrim 458, how's the ride? 99 00:04:38,526 --> 00:04:39,987 - Smooth right now. 100 00:04:41,530 --> 00:04:43,615 (narrator): With the outside temperature 101 00:04:43,740 --> 00:04:45,910 nearing minus 3 degrees Celsius, 102 00:04:46,076 --> 00:04:47,869 the precipitation is freezing 103 00:04:48,037 --> 00:04:51,122 and creating a layer of ice on the windshield. 104 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:53,876 - We're picking up some ice. 105 00:04:54,001 --> 00:04:55,836 - On the windshield, 106 00:04:55,961 --> 00:04:58,213 it's similar to frost on a windshield of a car, 107 00:04:58,338 --> 00:05:02,175 sort of rough looking and difficult to see through. 108 00:05:02,300 --> 00:05:04,220 - How do the wings look? 109 00:05:06,679 --> 00:05:08,641 - No ice. - Alright, 110 00:05:08,766 --> 00:05:10,600 let's see if we'll be able to clear this windshield. 111 00:05:10,768 --> 00:05:11,602 - You got it. 112 00:05:11,768 --> 00:05:13,396 - The pilots want to make sure 113 00:05:13,521 --> 00:05:15,773 they'll be able to de-ice their windshield 114 00:05:15,939 --> 00:05:18,025 when it's time to land. 115 00:05:18,150 --> 00:05:20,610 - We would test the windshield de-icing 116 00:05:20,778 --> 00:05:22,237 just to make sure it was working. 117 00:05:22,362 --> 00:05:25,199 We wouldn't continually operate the pump 118 00:05:25,324 --> 00:05:27,992 all the way to your destination, 119 00:05:28,119 --> 00:05:30,120 so you wouldn't use up too much of the alcohol. 120 00:05:30,287 --> 00:05:31,747 You'd save it for when you needed it, 121 00:05:31,872 --> 00:05:35,042 which would be on approach and landing at the next airport. 122 00:05:35,167 --> 00:05:38,254 (ominous music) 123 00:05:38,420 --> 00:05:40,506 - Not getting anything on my side. 124 00:05:40,631 --> 00:05:46,177 - I noticed very little fluid on my side of the windshield 125 00:05:46,302 --> 00:05:48,805 when I first activated the switch. 126 00:05:48,973 --> 00:05:50,557 - Anything on your side? 127 00:05:50,682 --> 00:05:53,602 - Some. Not a whole lot. 128 00:05:58,023 --> 00:05:59,150 - The second time, 129 00:05:59,316 --> 00:06:01,444 I held the switch in the on position 130 00:06:01,569 --> 00:06:02,987 for a little bit longer 131 00:06:03,153 --> 00:06:04,864 so we could get a good indication 132 00:06:04,989 --> 00:06:09,285 of the de-icing fluid affecting the windshield. 133 00:06:09,410 --> 00:06:10,994 - Still nothing. 134 00:06:13,329 --> 00:06:16,624 - Something's not right. I'm gonna stop trying. 135 00:06:16,749 --> 00:06:18,377 - Quite soon after that, 136 00:06:18,502 --> 00:06:20,754 there was an odor in the cockpit. 137 00:06:20,879 --> 00:06:22,381 It was alcohol-like. 138 00:06:22,506 --> 00:06:25,675 It wasn't an emergency at that time, yet. 139 00:06:25,843 --> 00:06:29,054 But we were beginning our thought process as far as, 140 00:06:29,179 --> 00:06:32,682 "Okay, what are we gonna do to deal with this issue?" 141 00:06:34,018 --> 00:06:36,103 (sniffles) - I smell smoke. 142 00:06:37,021 --> 00:06:38,439 - Yup. 143 00:06:38,564 --> 00:06:41,192 - Around the same time, we also realized 144 00:06:41,357 --> 00:06:42,860 there was an acrid type smell. 145 00:06:43,026 --> 00:06:45,153 The first thought that I had was, 146 00:06:45,278 --> 00:06:46,655 Tom had been a smoker 147 00:06:46,821 --> 00:06:51,535 and the ashtray in the cockpit was in the lower center yoke. 148 00:06:51,701 --> 00:06:55,163 We looked towards the floor where the ashtray was, 149 00:06:55,288 --> 00:06:58,542 and it was not smoke coming from the ashtray. 150 00:06:59,667 --> 00:07:00,627 - In the cabin, 151 00:07:00,752 --> 00:07:04,422 Harry Polychron senses something's not right. 152 00:07:04,547 --> 00:07:07,050 - I had my head buried in the paperwork 153 00:07:07,218 --> 00:07:08,761 and then, I got that whiff of alcohol. 154 00:07:08,886 --> 00:07:10,513 (sniffles) 155 00:07:10,679 --> 00:07:11,721 - As a flight engineer, 156 00:07:11,889 --> 00:07:13,182 Polychron knows the smell 157 00:07:13,307 --> 00:07:15,725 could indicate something serious. 158 00:07:15,893 --> 00:07:17,518 - Alcohol was not something 159 00:07:17,686 --> 00:07:20,396 you normally smell on an airplane flight. 160 00:07:22,232 --> 00:07:23,983 - It's coming from down there. 161 00:07:24,108 --> 00:07:26,819 - The pilots now see wisps of smoke 162 00:07:26,946 --> 00:07:28,530 entering the cockpit. 163 00:07:28,696 --> 00:07:29,781 (coughing) 164 00:07:29,906 --> 00:07:31,492 - We did see, initially, 165 00:07:31,617 --> 00:07:35,329 some very light white-type smoke. 166 00:07:36,247 --> 00:07:38,999 Before we could even talk about that 167 00:07:39,124 --> 00:07:40,376 or react to that, 168 00:07:40,542 --> 00:07:42,877 the smoke started to become thick, 169 00:07:43,002 --> 00:07:44,588 very quickly. 170 00:07:44,754 --> 00:07:47,925 - Both pilots realize something is on fire 171 00:07:48,091 --> 00:07:50,218 and it's getting worse. 172 00:07:50,343 --> 00:07:53,013 - Fires are terrible things to have on an aircraft, 173 00:07:53,138 --> 00:07:54,223 you can't just pull off 174 00:07:54,348 --> 00:07:55,807 to the side of the road with a fire. 175 00:07:55,932 --> 00:07:57,309 You have to do something immediately. 176 00:07:57,434 --> 00:08:00,103 - Quonset, Pilgrim 458. 177 00:08:00,271 --> 00:08:02,814 We need a direct to Providence, this is an emergency. 178 00:08:02,939 --> 00:08:04,275 (coughing) 179 00:08:04,441 --> 00:08:07,485 - The captain wants to land at the nearest airport, 180 00:08:07,610 --> 00:08:11,615 Providence, Rhode Island, just 12 miles to the right. 181 00:08:11,781 --> 00:08:15,076 - A turn to Providence was kind of a no-brainer, 182 00:08:15,201 --> 00:08:17,120 'cause we knew exactly where we were 183 00:08:17,288 --> 00:08:19,956 and knew exactly where Providence was. 184 00:08:20,124 --> 00:08:22,750 - Pilgrim 458, was that you calling? 185 00:08:22,917 --> 00:08:24,419 - Directly to Providence, please. 186 00:08:24,586 --> 00:08:26,964 This is an emergency. There is a fire on board. 187 00:08:27,130 --> 00:08:29,091 - Pilgrim 458, roger. 188 00:08:29,216 --> 00:08:30,759 Understand. 189 00:08:31,634 --> 00:08:32,427 Uh... 190 00:08:32,595 --> 00:08:35,264 ...turn right, heading of one five zero 191 00:08:35,389 --> 00:08:37,765 for vectors to Providence. 192 00:08:37,890 --> 00:08:39,768 - Okay, let's get on the ground. 193 00:08:39,893 --> 00:08:42,062 (coughing) - Right turn. 194 00:08:42,187 --> 00:08:44,188 One five zero. 195 00:08:44,315 --> 00:08:46,024 I'll look for the runway. 196 00:08:46,899 --> 00:08:50,403 (narrator): With a fire burning somewhere inside the airplane, 197 00:08:50,528 --> 00:08:54,033 the pilots have very little time to get back on the ground. 198 00:08:54,158 --> 00:08:56,284 - I'm pushing. I'm pushing. 199 00:08:56,409 --> 00:08:58,037 - But the smoke is making it 200 00:08:58,162 --> 00:09:00,121 difficult to see inside the cockpit. 201 00:09:00,246 --> 00:09:02,206 The clouds and ice-covered windshield 202 00:09:02,332 --> 00:09:04,375 make it nearly impossible to see outside. 203 00:09:04,500 --> 00:09:06,836 - We gotta get under these damned clouds! 204 00:09:07,004 --> 00:09:09,882 - We needed to get on the ground as fast as we could. 205 00:09:10,007 --> 00:09:12,051 And so the turn was quite abrupt 206 00:09:12,176 --> 00:09:15,553 and the descent was quite steep. 207 00:09:16,346 --> 00:09:19,475 - Pilgrim 458, how many people on board? 208 00:09:20,267 --> 00:09:21,643 - Controllers begin to prepare 209 00:09:21,768 --> 00:09:24,395 for an emergency landing in Providence. 210 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:26,648 - We've got 10 people on board. 211 00:09:27,358 --> 00:09:30,485 - Lyle responded that there were 10. 212 00:09:30,653 --> 00:09:32,988 He was thinking of the passengers. 213 00:09:33,154 --> 00:09:35,658 He didn't include Tom and himself. 214 00:09:36,866 --> 00:09:38,661 - It's getting worse. 215 00:09:38,786 --> 00:09:40,119 (coughing) 216 00:09:40,244 --> 00:09:42,498 - Where the hell is it coming from? 217 00:09:42,623 --> 00:09:45,792 - It was blinding. It was choking. 218 00:09:45,917 --> 00:09:47,168 They couldn't see each other. 219 00:09:47,336 --> 00:09:48,504 They couldn't see out the windscreen. 220 00:09:48,671 --> 00:09:51,047 They couldn't see their instruments. 221 00:09:51,215 --> 00:09:52,673 They were in the clouds. 222 00:09:52,841 --> 00:09:54,384 (passengers coughing) 223 00:09:54,551 --> 00:09:58,471 - The smoke from the cockpit makes its way through the cabin. 224 00:09:58,596 --> 00:10:02,100 (coughing) 225 00:10:02,768 --> 00:10:05,520 - As soon as the black smoke started in the cabin, 226 00:10:05,645 --> 00:10:07,105 it became more and more difficult 227 00:10:07,230 --> 00:10:08,523 to see and breathe. 228 00:10:08,648 --> 00:10:12,735 - I immediately grabbed the bottom of my sweater, 229 00:10:12,903 --> 00:10:15,446 pulled it up, spat into it, 230 00:10:15,571 --> 00:10:20,076 and put it over my nose and mouth 231 00:10:20,244 --> 00:10:24,163 and started to use that, you know, as a filter. 232 00:10:24,288 --> 00:10:27,125 - The pilots are also struggling to breathe. 233 00:10:27,250 --> 00:10:29,544 Since the Twin Otter is not pressurized, 234 00:10:29,669 --> 00:10:31,212 they're able to open their windows 235 00:10:31,337 --> 00:10:32,547 to get fresh air. 236 00:10:32,672 --> 00:10:35,216 - Because I was having a hard time 237 00:10:35,341 --> 00:10:37,302 seeing Tom at that point, 238 00:10:37,427 --> 00:10:41,807 I opened the window on my side of the aircraft. 239 00:10:41,932 --> 00:10:43,350 (dramatic music) 240 00:10:43,475 --> 00:10:45,686 - But windows in the cabin don't open 241 00:10:45,811 --> 00:10:48,605 and the passengers are suffocating. 242 00:10:49,105 --> 00:10:50,983 - "How am I gonna get air?" 243 00:10:51,108 --> 00:10:52,817 It was time to fight for your life. 244 00:10:52,942 --> 00:10:54,027 (coughing) 245 00:10:54,153 --> 00:10:55,611 (grunts with effort) 246 00:10:55,988 --> 00:10:57,239 The passengers and crew: 247 00:10:57,364 --> 00:10:59,658 of Pilgrim Airlines Flight 458 248 00:10:59,783 --> 00:11:01,159 are in the fight of their lives. 249 00:11:01,284 --> 00:11:03,244 - I did have that tennis racket. 250 00:11:03,369 --> 00:11:05,706 Boom, bash out a window. 251 00:11:08,249 --> 00:11:10,753 (wind howling) 252 00:11:13,087 --> 00:11:15,173 (passengers coughing) 253 00:11:15,298 --> 00:11:19,302 It drew the smoke out, and then, I proceeded forward. 254 00:11:19,470 --> 00:11:21,764 I did it a couple more times to other windows 255 00:11:21,930 --> 00:11:23,389 on the right side of the airplane. 256 00:11:24,390 --> 00:11:25,768 (banging) (grunts in effort) 257 00:11:25,893 --> 00:11:27,518 (coughing) 258 00:11:28,854 --> 00:11:33,149 - I was absolutely in awe as to what he was doing. 259 00:11:33,317 --> 00:11:36,068 (passengers coughing) 260 00:11:36,195 --> 00:11:37,778 - We'll all be fine! 261 00:11:37,946 --> 00:11:39,822 The smoke is starting to clear! 262 00:11:42,283 --> 00:11:44,369 - And I thought, "My God, 263 00:11:44,494 --> 00:11:49,416 this is just an amazing piece of good news, 264 00:11:49,541 --> 00:11:50,584 not only for me, 265 00:11:50,709 --> 00:11:53,378 but for everybody else on the plane." 266 00:11:53,504 --> 00:11:54,797 (wind howling) 267 00:11:54,922 --> 00:11:57,132 - In addition to the thick smoke, 268 00:11:57,257 --> 00:11:59,634 the pilots are now confronted by fire 269 00:11:59,802 --> 00:12:01,302 coming up through the floor. 270 00:12:01,427 --> 00:12:02,553 - Ah! 271 00:12:03,889 --> 00:12:07,433 - I thought, "Let me try to get to the fire extinguisher." 272 00:12:07,558 --> 00:12:11,605 It was behind my seat. It was close to the floor. 273 00:12:11,730 --> 00:12:12,773 (screams) 274 00:12:12,898 --> 00:12:15,525 - But with intense heat coming through the floor, 275 00:12:15,692 --> 00:12:18,821 Hogg can't grab it. (groans in pain) 276 00:12:20,696 --> 00:12:21,615 - Ah! 277 00:12:21,740 --> 00:12:24,701 - That's when we were starting to be burned. 278 00:12:25,244 --> 00:12:27,495 The initial reaction is not feeling the pain. 279 00:12:27,663 --> 00:12:29,748 The initial reaction is, you know, 280 00:12:29,873 --> 00:12:32,792 "We've got to get this airplane on the ground quickly." 281 00:12:32,917 --> 00:12:36,171 - Still 11 miles from Providence and unable to see, 282 00:12:36,296 --> 00:12:38,422 the pilots know they don't have enough time 283 00:12:38,548 --> 00:12:41,509 to get their burning airplane to the airport. 284 00:12:42,052 --> 00:12:43,220 - We were in an emergency descent 285 00:12:43,387 --> 00:12:45,514 pointing towards Providence, 286 00:12:45,639 --> 00:12:46,932 but not knowing if we could get there. 287 00:12:47,057 --> 00:12:48,517 (passengers coughing) 288 00:12:48,683 --> 00:12:51,519 - Off duty flight engineer Harry Polychron 289 00:12:51,687 --> 00:12:54,605 makes his way to the cockpit to let the pilots know 290 00:12:54,730 --> 00:12:56,692 about the situation in the cabin. 291 00:12:59,278 --> 00:13:00,736 - It was hard to stand. 292 00:13:00,903 --> 00:13:03,197 It pitched up, pitched down, 293 00:13:03,322 --> 00:13:04,615 pitched left, pitched right, 294 00:13:04,740 --> 00:13:05,658 it was a wild ride 295 00:13:05,783 --> 00:13:07,326 and you got thrown around up there. 296 00:13:07,451 --> 00:13:09,705 When I poked my head into the cockpit, 297 00:13:09,830 --> 00:13:11,163 it was engulfed in smoke. 298 00:13:11,289 --> 00:13:13,041 (coughing) 299 00:13:13,207 --> 00:13:15,836 (wind howling) 300 00:13:16,253 --> 00:13:17,671 They couldn't see the instruments 301 00:13:17,796 --> 00:13:21,424 and they couldn't see outside. So how they managed 302 00:13:21,591 --> 00:13:24,302 to keep that plane right side up amazes me. 303 00:13:24,427 --> 00:13:28,307 I just wanted to let them know that the passengers were okay 304 00:13:28,432 --> 00:13:31,560 and just, "Keep it up, guys, you're doing a great job." 305 00:13:31,685 --> 00:13:32,393 I said... 306 00:13:32,518 --> 00:13:33,644 - You guys keep flying. 307 00:13:33,769 --> 00:13:36,148 We have everything under control in the back. 308 00:13:36,856 --> 00:13:41,068 - My intentions were just to keep those guys inspired 309 00:13:41,193 --> 00:13:42,571 to keep doing what they were doing, 310 00:13:42,696 --> 00:13:44,239 which was heroic. 311 00:13:45,448 --> 00:13:49,119 - The flames are spreading from the cockpit into the cabin. 312 00:13:49,286 --> 00:13:51,078 The pilots are running out of time 313 00:13:51,203 --> 00:13:52,581 to save their plane. 314 00:13:52,748 --> 00:13:53,916 (banging) 315 00:13:54,041 --> 00:13:56,585 (tense music) 316 00:13:56,751 --> 00:14:00,922 - It was an extraordinarily painful, frightening, 317 00:14:01,089 --> 00:14:05,427 deadly set of circumstances getting worse every second. 318 00:14:05,594 --> 00:14:06,595 (coughing) 319 00:14:06,762 --> 00:14:08,764 - The pilots can't see each other, 320 00:14:08,931 --> 00:14:12,308 and with the windows open can't hear each other either. 321 00:14:12,475 --> 00:14:15,062 - I needed to make sure that Tom was, in fact, 322 00:14:15,187 --> 00:14:16,772 still flying the aircraft. 323 00:14:16,937 --> 00:14:19,191 And that's when I rested my hand on the yoke 324 00:14:19,316 --> 00:14:21,860 to follow along with his movements. 325 00:14:22,818 --> 00:14:26,281 - Captain Prinster maintains a rapid descent. 326 00:14:26,406 --> 00:14:29,368 But he has no idea where he's going to land. 327 00:14:30,619 --> 00:14:35,123 - I initially did not see an adequate landing site. 328 00:14:35,248 --> 00:14:36,792 We were still in the clouds. 329 00:14:36,917 --> 00:14:38,626 (tense music) 330 00:14:38,793 --> 00:14:42,505 - The passengers start to prepare for the inevitable. 331 00:14:42,672 --> 00:14:46,009 - I sat up very straight in the chair, 332 00:14:46,176 --> 00:14:49,428 and took the seat belt, and ensured 333 00:14:49,553 --> 00:14:52,099 that it was going across my hip bones, 334 00:14:52,224 --> 00:14:54,225 and not my stomach, 335 00:14:54,350 --> 00:14:58,105 and tightened it as tight as I possibly could. 336 00:14:58,230 --> 00:15:00,606 - 15,000 feet from the ground, 337 00:15:00,731 --> 00:15:03,818 the heat from the fire has grown so intense 338 00:15:03,985 --> 00:15:05,988 that the pilots' headsets are beginning to melt. 339 00:15:06,153 --> 00:15:07,906 (coughing) 340 00:15:08,031 --> 00:15:09,658 (wind howling) 341 00:15:09,825 --> 00:15:12,744 (Hogg): I needed to get that rubber headset off. 342 00:15:13,787 --> 00:15:17,832 - These circumstances were absolutely extreme. 343 00:15:17,957 --> 00:15:21,253 At that point, it was very clear to the pilots 344 00:15:21,378 --> 00:15:24,755 that this airplane was a death trap. 345 00:15:25,632 --> 00:15:28,051 - The flight should be nearing the airport 346 00:15:28,217 --> 00:15:29,845 in Providence. 347 00:15:29,970 --> 00:15:34,682 - Pilgrim 458, you can proceed direct to Providence V-O-R. 348 00:15:36,183 --> 00:15:37,768 - Without headsets, 349 00:15:37,893 --> 00:15:41,023 the pilots are no longer able to communicate with the ground. 350 00:15:42,065 --> 00:15:44,860 - One of the pilots was gripping the yoke so hard, 351 00:15:44,985 --> 00:15:50,865 his thumb was on top of a button that activates the microphone. 352 00:15:50,990 --> 00:15:52,701 And the result of that 353 00:15:52,868 --> 00:15:57,080 was the air traffic controllers heard this roar. 354 00:15:57,246 --> 00:15:59,499 (wind howling) - Pilgrim 458... 355 00:16:01,500 --> 00:16:04,712 Pilgrim 458, do you copy? I'm not reading you. 356 00:16:06,422 --> 00:16:08,674 - 1,000 feet above the ground, 357 00:16:08,799 --> 00:16:11,302 the Twin Otter breaks through the clouds. 358 00:16:11,427 --> 00:16:13,555 (wind howling) 359 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:16,349 - Out of my window, all I could see were trees. 360 00:16:17,475 --> 00:16:19,268 Tom was making a turn. 361 00:16:19,436 --> 00:16:20,937 I couldn't see him, but I could feel him 362 00:16:21,104 --> 00:16:22,980 making a turn to the left. 363 00:16:23,105 --> 00:16:25,149 (tense music) 364 00:16:25,274 --> 00:16:26,817 - The pilots need to land 365 00:16:26,942 --> 00:16:30,238 before the fire reaches the highly flammable fuel 366 00:16:30,363 --> 00:16:32,240 located in the belly of the aircraft, 367 00:16:32,407 --> 00:16:34,283 directly below the passengers. 368 00:16:34,451 --> 00:16:35,911 (dramatic music) 369 00:16:36,076 --> 00:16:38,080 (sniffles) 370 00:16:38,245 --> 00:16:40,791 - I was wondering, at this point, 371 00:16:40,956 --> 00:16:44,086 were we gonna be able to get the plane on the ground? 372 00:16:44,251 --> 00:16:46,962 Or was it gonna explode in midair? 373 00:16:48,339 --> 00:16:49,924 - Get ready! 374 00:16:50,049 --> 00:16:51,634 (frantic music) 375 00:16:51,801 --> 00:16:53,929 - Oh, God! 376 00:16:54,095 --> 00:16:55,680 Ah! 377 00:16:56,932 --> 00:17:00,602 - Looking out the window, I no longer saw all trees, 378 00:17:00,768 --> 00:17:04,146 I saw the shores of this frozen reservoir 379 00:17:04,314 --> 00:17:08,401 and my immediate thought was, "Hey, we're gonna make it." 380 00:17:08,527 --> 00:17:12,072 - The pilots have spotted the Scituate Reservoir 381 00:17:12,197 --> 00:17:13,781 near Providence Rhode Island, 382 00:17:13,949 --> 00:17:18,120 a frozen body of water that covers five square miles. 383 00:17:18,245 --> 00:17:20,288 - It was a wide open, flat area. 384 00:17:20,413 --> 00:17:22,207 There were no trees, there was no nothing. 385 00:17:22,332 --> 00:17:24,960 There was just ice. It was a gift. 386 00:17:25,836 --> 00:17:27,962 - The pilots aim their burning plane 387 00:17:28,087 --> 00:17:29,881 towards the reservoir. 388 00:17:31,340 --> 00:17:33,509 - The next thing was just to get that thing on the ground 389 00:17:33,676 --> 00:17:34,719 as fast as we could 390 00:17:34,845 --> 00:17:35,720 and get out of the aircraft. 391 00:17:35,845 --> 00:17:37,513 It never crossed our minds, 392 00:17:37,681 --> 00:17:40,057 was the ice gonna hold the airplane or not? 393 00:17:41,351 --> 00:17:42,768 (dramatic music) 394 00:17:42,893 --> 00:17:45,939 (narrator): In the cabin of Pilgrim Airlines Flight 458, 395 00:17:46,064 --> 00:17:47,440 passengers can see 396 00:17:47,566 --> 00:17:50,026 they're heading for an emergency landing. 397 00:17:50,192 --> 00:17:52,028 - I looked out the window 398 00:17:52,194 --> 00:17:55,615 and I saw impact was imminent. 399 00:17:55,740 --> 00:17:58,826 I wanted to go strap in but the seat was on fire, 400 00:17:58,993 --> 00:18:01,913 so I braced myself against the bulkhead. 401 00:18:02,913 --> 00:18:03,832 - Flight 458 402 00:18:03,999 --> 00:18:07,335 is moments from slamming onto a frozen lake. 403 00:18:07,460 --> 00:18:10,005 (frantic music) - Hold on! 404 00:18:10,172 --> 00:18:12,798 - It was a matter of get this airplane on the ground 405 00:18:12,923 --> 00:18:15,509 as absolutely as fast as we could. 406 00:18:15,634 --> 00:18:19,055 Um, you know, it wasn't going to be a smooth landing. 407 00:18:19,221 --> 00:18:20,723 - Brace for impact! 408 00:18:20,891 --> 00:18:26,354 - All of a sudden, there's the most enormous bang. 409 00:18:26,479 --> 00:18:28,190 (crashing) 410 00:18:28,355 --> 00:18:30,775 (grunting) 411 00:18:33,236 --> 00:18:35,197 (passengers screaming) 412 00:18:35,363 --> 00:18:36,530 (crashing) 413 00:18:36,698 --> 00:18:38,450 - Paul Hainsworth and Harry Polychron 414 00:18:38,575 --> 00:18:40,451 are knocked unconscious. 415 00:18:40,576 --> 00:18:41,702 The plane breaks up 416 00:18:41,827 --> 00:18:45,207 as it skids across the ice for 500 feet. 417 00:18:45,332 --> 00:18:47,791 (fire crackling) 418 00:18:50,795 --> 00:18:53,213 - When I woke up, the plane had stopped, 419 00:18:53,381 --> 00:18:55,884 and everything was very quiet. 420 00:18:56,926 --> 00:19:00,095 (grunts in pain) 421 00:19:00,931 --> 00:19:02,891 - The pilots have managed to maneuver 422 00:19:03,057 --> 00:19:05,227 their burning airplane onto the ice-covered lake. 423 00:19:05,352 --> 00:19:08,730 Now, they must make sure everyone gets off the airplane 424 00:19:08,896 --> 00:19:11,982 before it's completely consumed by fire. 425 00:19:12,567 --> 00:19:13,609 - Here we are 426 00:19:13,777 --> 00:19:16,028 in this white, frozen tundra, if you will. 427 00:19:16,153 --> 00:19:17,780 And, 'What do we do now?" 428 00:19:17,948 --> 00:19:20,115 (somber music) 429 00:19:20,282 --> 00:19:22,410 - I just released my seatbelt 430 00:19:22,576 --> 00:19:25,622 and jumped up and hit the plane door 431 00:19:25,788 --> 00:19:30,543 and attempted to open it, which I was unable to do, 432 00:19:30,669 --> 00:19:34,588 because the fuselage had compressed. 433 00:19:35,172 --> 00:19:36,383 I glanced 434 00:19:36,508 --> 00:19:40,220 and I saw a split in the fuselage 435 00:19:40,345 --> 00:19:43,722 right behind the doorway. 436 00:19:44,641 --> 00:19:45,767 I made the decision 437 00:19:45,933 --> 00:19:50,855 that I was gonna kick that area of the fuselage 438 00:19:50,980 --> 00:19:54,150 and make a hole in it, so that we can escape. 439 00:19:54,317 --> 00:19:55,943 - This way. 440 00:19:56,111 --> 00:19:58,654 There's a hole back here. You can get out this way. 441 00:19:58,822 --> 00:20:02,784 - Hainsworth knows passengers must get out quickly. 442 00:20:03,742 --> 00:20:05,537 - I still had the concern 443 00:20:05,662 --> 00:20:10,624 that the plane could imminently explode. 444 00:20:10,749 --> 00:20:12,419 I jumped out first, 445 00:20:12,544 --> 00:20:16,672 and I then started to assist other people. 446 00:20:17,339 --> 00:20:18,758 - At the front of the plane, 447 00:20:18,883 --> 00:20:21,469 Harry Polychron is badly injured. 448 00:20:21,635 --> 00:20:23,887 (grunts in pain) 449 00:20:24,013 --> 00:20:26,641 - I was filled with adrenaline and shock. 450 00:20:26,807 --> 00:20:29,435 I had dislocated my shoulder. I had injured my knee. 451 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:31,645 I had a burned leg. 452 00:20:32,396 --> 00:20:33,480 My very first instinct 453 00:20:33,605 --> 00:20:35,191 was to get out of that airplane right now. 454 00:20:35,357 --> 00:20:38,028 And I started to proceed to the back of the airplane. 455 00:20:38,193 --> 00:20:41,197 I heard a young woman say, "Somebody please help me." 456 00:20:42,531 --> 00:20:43,782 - Come on! This way to the back. 457 00:20:43,907 --> 00:20:45,660 We can get out here. Come on. 458 00:20:45,785 --> 00:20:48,997 Are you okay? Come on. Ah! 459 00:20:49,163 --> 00:20:49,998 - I grabbed the young lady, 460 00:20:50,123 --> 00:20:51,540 I pulled her to the back of the airplane 461 00:20:51,708 --> 00:20:53,500 and as far as I knew, I was the last one out. 462 00:20:53,625 --> 00:20:57,172 (groaning in pain) 463 00:21:00,717 --> 00:21:02,509 - Can you make it? 464 00:21:02,676 --> 00:21:04,179 - Yeah, yeah. 465 00:21:04,345 --> 00:21:06,847 Yeah, I think I can make it. 466 00:21:08,974 --> 00:21:10,852 - There was no checklist to be read 467 00:21:10,977 --> 00:21:14,021 and no procedures to follow at that point. 468 00:21:15,397 --> 00:21:17,275 - Let's get out of here. (Prinster): Yeah. 469 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:18,984 (groaning) 470 00:21:19,109 --> 00:21:22,197 - Both pilots and 9 of the 10 passengers 471 00:21:22,322 --> 00:21:25,282 make it off the plane and head for the shore. 472 00:21:25,407 --> 00:21:29,996 Minutes later the Twin Otter is completely consumed by fire. 473 00:21:30,121 --> 00:21:33,208 - I think it's one in a hundred million 474 00:21:33,333 --> 00:21:34,793 that I'm still here. 475 00:21:34,918 --> 00:21:38,797 And I'm very grateful to the pilot, 476 00:21:38,922 --> 00:21:42,717 the co-pilot, and also the other pilot, 477 00:21:42,884 --> 00:21:45,636 that was a passenger on the plane, 478 00:21:45,761 --> 00:21:48,847 for their actions that were, 479 00:21:48,972 --> 00:21:53,769 quite frankly, beyond remarkable. 480 00:21:54,604 --> 00:21:56,647 - One passenger is dead, 481 00:21:56,772 --> 00:21:59,651 the result of severe smoke inhalation. 482 00:21:59,776 --> 00:22:01,568 All of the surviving passengers 483 00:22:01,736 --> 00:22:04,572 are taken to hospital with serious injuries. 484 00:22:04,697 --> 00:22:07,325 Both pilots are badly burned. 485 00:22:07,450 --> 00:22:10,745 - Lyle was burned over 25 % of his body. 486 00:22:10,870 --> 00:22:16,084 And the captain was burned over 7/10 of his body, 487 00:22:16,209 --> 00:22:18,711 much of it third degree. 488 00:22:19,546 --> 00:22:21,922 - Volunteers immediately begin removing 489 00:22:22,047 --> 00:22:23,924 vital pieces of wreckage from the lake 490 00:22:24,092 --> 00:22:27,511 so they can be studied more closely by investigators. 491 00:22:28,054 --> 00:22:29,888 - Tonight, we have a clean-up operation. 492 00:22:30,013 --> 00:22:32,517 We have a portable electric generator 493 00:22:32,642 --> 00:22:34,059 out there with lights. 494 00:22:34,184 --> 00:22:36,438 We're going to mop up the fuel oil 495 00:22:36,604 --> 00:22:39,190 and wait until the FAA comes. 496 00:22:39,315 --> 00:22:42,734 - It's obvious that the plane was destroyed by fire. 497 00:22:42,861 --> 00:22:45,113 But it's not obvious what caused it. 498 00:22:45,279 --> 00:22:47,574 - Knowing that there's a fire on board 499 00:22:47,699 --> 00:22:48,782 isn't just enough. 500 00:22:48,950 --> 00:22:51,827 You need to understand exactly what happened, 501 00:22:51,995 --> 00:22:54,122 how it happened, when it happened, 502 00:22:54,247 --> 00:22:55,457 and how the crew were able 503 00:22:55,582 --> 00:22:57,291 to fly the airplane with a fire on board. 504 00:22:57,416 --> 00:23:00,545 - Both pilots are too injured to provide a statement, 505 00:23:00,670 --> 00:23:02,713 so investigators turn to the controllers 506 00:23:02,838 --> 00:23:05,008 for more insight. - What did they tell you? 507 00:23:05,174 --> 00:23:06,800 - Just that they had a fire on board 508 00:23:06,968 --> 00:23:09,679 and needed to make an emergency landing. 509 00:23:11,138 --> 00:23:13,182 - And when did they call that in? 510 00:23:13,348 --> 00:23:15,809 - The call came in at 3:29, 511 00:23:15,977 --> 00:23:18,896 so less than 20 minutes after take-off. 512 00:23:19,564 --> 00:23:21,649 - What would cause an in-flight fire? 513 00:23:21,774 --> 00:23:23,692 You're looking for a flammable source, 514 00:23:23,859 --> 00:23:25,987 you're looking for an ignition source. 515 00:23:26,112 --> 00:23:27,489 - Okay. 516 00:23:27,614 --> 00:23:30,782 It's gonna be hard to find anything useful in any of this. 517 00:23:30,909 --> 00:23:34,746 - Investigators examine Flight 458's cockpit gauges, 518 00:23:34,871 --> 00:23:38,415 hoping to find clues about the cause of the fire. 519 00:23:40,375 --> 00:23:41,669 - After a post-crash fire, 520 00:23:41,836 --> 00:23:44,506 those instruments are often so badly damaged 521 00:23:44,631 --> 00:23:46,715 that they take extensive work to get more. 522 00:23:46,883 --> 00:23:49,009 And sometimes we get nothing from the instruments 523 00:23:49,176 --> 00:23:52,055 because we just can't make any sense out of what they say. 524 00:23:53,847 --> 00:23:55,182 - Wait a minute... 525 00:23:55,349 --> 00:23:57,852 - The plane's clock is still legible, 526 00:23:57,977 --> 00:24:00,939 stopped by the impact of the crash. 527 00:24:01,064 --> 00:24:02,731 - 3:44. 528 00:24:03,982 --> 00:24:07,278 Whatever happened, it happened fast. 529 00:24:07,403 --> 00:24:08,528 - Less than 5 minutes 530 00:24:08,695 --> 00:24:10,865 after the pilots report the emergency, 531 00:24:11,031 --> 00:24:13,910 they slam onto the frozen reservoir. 532 00:24:14,076 --> 00:24:16,078 (crashing) 533 00:24:16,788 --> 00:24:18,205 This tells investigators 534 00:24:18,330 --> 00:24:21,709 that the situation escalated rapidly. 535 00:24:25,212 --> 00:24:27,589 (mysterious music) 536 00:24:27,757 --> 00:24:29,424 - Engine fire? 537 00:24:29,592 --> 00:24:31,094 (narrator): Pilgrim Air Flight 458 538 00:24:31,260 --> 00:24:33,637 wasn't equipped with a Cockpit Voice Recorder 539 00:24:33,762 --> 00:24:35,722 or Flight Data Recorder. 540 00:24:35,890 --> 00:24:37,892 Investigators will need to work through 541 00:24:38,058 --> 00:24:41,104 the most likely sources of an on-board fire. 542 00:24:42,230 --> 00:24:45,107 - It makes investigation a little more difficult, 543 00:24:45,275 --> 00:24:47,693 and takes a little longer to get it done. 544 00:24:47,818 --> 00:24:50,904 It doesn't keep us from doing an investigation, 545 00:24:51,029 --> 00:24:52,824 but it certainly adds to the amount of work 546 00:24:52,949 --> 00:24:55,159 required to complete an investigation. 547 00:24:55,285 --> 00:24:57,870 - They study what remains of the engines 548 00:24:57,996 --> 00:25:01,124 to determine if they played a role in this accident. 549 00:25:04,794 --> 00:25:08,756 - Both engines were running at the moment of impact. 550 00:25:09,715 --> 00:25:10,924 - The best indication 551 00:25:11,049 --> 00:25:12,926 that engines are running at impact 552 00:25:13,051 --> 00:25:15,179 are you look for damage to the engine, 553 00:25:15,305 --> 00:25:17,597 you look for twisting and bending the propellers, 554 00:25:17,765 --> 00:25:19,224 look for direction of the bending 555 00:25:19,349 --> 00:25:21,935 and the amount of bending of the propellers. 556 00:25:22,060 --> 00:25:23,438 There were clear indications 557 00:25:23,563 --> 00:25:25,856 that both engines were developing power 558 00:25:25,981 --> 00:25:27,942 at the time of impact. 559 00:25:29,818 --> 00:25:32,739 - The fact that the engines were running on impact 560 00:25:32,864 --> 00:25:34,115 tells investigators 561 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:37,285 they were not the source of the fire. 562 00:25:40,913 --> 00:25:43,040 - They all report the same thing: 563 00:25:43,165 --> 00:25:44,834 smoke. 564 00:25:46,376 --> 00:25:49,087 - The pilots are still too injured to talk, 565 00:25:49,212 --> 00:25:50,589 but interviews with the passengers 566 00:25:50,714 --> 00:25:53,300 provide the team with an important clue: 567 00:25:53,468 --> 00:25:57,180 thick smoke from the cockpit poured into the cabin 568 00:25:57,346 --> 00:25:59,766 (passengers coughing) 569 00:25:59,891 --> 00:26:01,808 - If passengers say they saw smoke 570 00:26:01,976 --> 00:26:03,268 any time during the flight, 571 00:26:03,393 --> 00:26:06,396 it would be a focus of the investigation 572 00:26:06,521 --> 00:26:09,067 because we would be interested 573 00:26:09,192 --> 00:26:12,236 in the source of the smoke, the timing of the smoke. 574 00:26:12,944 --> 00:26:15,198 - They study the plane's badly burned wreckage 575 00:26:15,365 --> 00:26:17,909 for any evidence that could tell them exactly 576 00:26:18,034 --> 00:26:19,993 where the fire began. 577 00:26:20,118 --> 00:26:22,497 - Well, the fire had to start somewhere. 578 00:26:23,914 --> 00:26:25,874 - We look for concentrations of heat, 579 00:26:26,041 --> 00:26:27,669 which would give us an indication 580 00:26:27,794 --> 00:26:29,295 where a fire began. 581 00:26:30,421 --> 00:26:32,672 - The whole plane's incinerated. 582 00:26:32,798 --> 00:26:34,842 - Yeah, but the cockpit floor here 583 00:26:34,967 --> 00:26:37,178 suffered the most fire damage. 584 00:26:38,387 --> 00:26:41,723 I'd guess that the fire started somewhere under the cockpit. 585 00:26:41,891 --> 00:26:43,851 - The plane burned up 586 00:26:43,976 --> 00:26:45,936 after it touched down on the ice. 587 00:26:46,061 --> 00:26:50,191 It's impossible to pinpoint the precise origin of the fire. 588 00:26:51,067 --> 00:26:53,736 - We could tell generally the area where it started, 589 00:26:53,903 --> 00:26:56,364 but we needed to do more work to look at 590 00:26:56,489 --> 00:26:58,365 potential flammable sources. 591 00:26:58,532 --> 00:27:01,076 (mysterious music) 592 00:27:01,911 --> 00:27:03,954 - Days after the accident, 593 00:27:04,079 --> 00:27:06,499 the pilots are ready to make their statements. 594 00:27:06,624 --> 00:27:08,375 - Pilots are most likely 595 00:27:08,500 --> 00:27:10,461 the most experienced people on the airplane, 596 00:27:10,586 --> 00:27:14,632 and they can tell you the events that occurred around them 597 00:27:14,757 --> 00:27:17,300 at the time that this was going on. 598 00:27:17,926 --> 00:27:20,179 All their sights, sounds and feelings 599 00:27:20,304 --> 00:27:23,141 can make a difference in the investigation. 600 00:27:26,059 --> 00:27:27,894 - Thanks for agreeing to do this. 601 00:27:28,061 --> 00:27:32,567 Maybe you just wanna talk me through what you can remember. 602 00:27:32,732 --> 00:27:34,192 - Towards the end of that week, 603 00:27:34,317 --> 00:27:36,528 they asked if I would speak to the NTSB 604 00:27:36,653 --> 00:27:37,904 and I agreed. 605 00:27:39,990 --> 00:27:43,368 - We tried to de-ice the windshield 606 00:27:43,493 --> 00:27:45,788 but weren't getting any fluid. 607 00:27:45,954 --> 00:27:49,749 Almost immediately, I smelt alcohol, 608 00:27:49,916 --> 00:27:52,752 and then, smoke. 609 00:27:52,878 --> 00:27:55,422 And then, I saw the smoke. 610 00:27:56,673 --> 00:27:58,925 Thin and white at first. (coughing) 611 00:28:00,470 --> 00:28:03,556 It was coming from the base of the control column. 612 00:28:04,891 --> 00:28:06,601 It didn't take long 613 00:28:06,768 --> 00:28:09,311 before that smoke turned thick and black. 614 00:28:09,479 --> 00:28:11,355 (coughing) 615 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:13,816 Soon, we couldn't breathe. 616 00:28:13,982 --> 00:28:16,402 And we were starting to burn. 617 00:28:16,527 --> 00:28:19,197 (soft music) 618 00:28:21,324 --> 00:28:23,910 - Uh, how long between the de-icing 619 00:28:24,035 --> 00:28:25,536 and the first signs of smoke? 620 00:28:25,661 --> 00:28:27,454 (scoffs) 621 00:28:29,499 --> 00:28:31,959 - It all happened real fast. 622 00:28:32,125 --> 00:28:36,338 I don't know, maybe a minute? 623 00:28:37,422 --> 00:28:38,465 Maybe less? 624 00:28:38,633 --> 00:28:40,800 - And that's when you called in the emergency? 625 00:28:40,926 --> 00:28:42,385 - Yeah, 626 00:28:42,511 --> 00:28:45,681 and started to descend immediately after that. 627 00:28:45,847 --> 00:28:47,098 - He hit the switch 628 00:28:47,224 --> 00:28:51,729 to apply the de-icing fluid to his windshield 629 00:28:51,854 --> 00:28:53,980 to clear some icing that he saw, 630 00:28:54,147 --> 00:28:56,567 and then, very shortly thereafter, 631 00:28:56,692 --> 00:28:58,068 he had what he described as 632 00:28:58,193 --> 00:29:00,863 "white smoke with an alcohol smell." 633 00:29:01,029 --> 00:29:04,700 That was a very, very large statement 634 00:29:04,866 --> 00:29:08,663 to an investigator looking for a fire. 635 00:29:09,663 --> 00:29:11,540 - Okay. 636 00:29:11,707 --> 00:29:14,335 It all starts right here, 637 00:29:14,460 --> 00:29:16,211 with the de-icing. 638 00:29:17,087 --> 00:29:18,964 - The interview with the First Officer 639 00:29:19,089 --> 00:29:22,009 provides the team with a focus for their investigation: 640 00:29:22,134 --> 00:29:25,011 the airplane's de-icing system. 641 00:29:25,136 --> 00:29:27,181 - We'd start looking in the wreckage 642 00:29:27,347 --> 00:29:30,518 for evidence for that de-icing system, 643 00:29:30,684 --> 00:29:32,103 and then begin 644 00:29:32,228 --> 00:29:35,146 a parallel investigation with maintenance 645 00:29:35,272 --> 00:29:38,651 to see if there was any kind of history of problems 646 00:29:38,776 --> 00:29:40,528 with that system. 647 00:29:41,153 --> 00:29:42,404 - The reservoir holds 648 00:29:42,572 --> 00:29:45,324 one-and-a-half gallons of de-icing fluid. 649 00:29:45,449 --> 00:29:49,703 A switch on the overhead console activates the 28-volt pump. 650 00:29:49,871 --> 00:29:51,830 Flexible plastic tubing connects the pump 651 00:29:51,955 --> 00:29:54,165 to the spray nozzles. 652 00:29:55,960 --> 00:29:57,836 - It's a pretty basic system. 653 00:29:57,961 --> 00:30:00,882 - The use of chemical de-icing in airplanes 654 00:30:01,047 --> 00:30:02,717 had been used since the 20'. 655 00:30:02,842 --> 00:30:05,720 So it was not an unknown or novel system 656 00:30:05,885 --> 00:30:07,054 that they were using. 657 00:30:08,263 --> 00:30:09,973 - Investigators search 658 00:30:10,098 --> 00:30:13,393 for the surviving components of the de-icing system. 659 00:30:14,394 --> 00:30:17,731 - If they had found the pump and the attachments, 660 00:30:17,899 --> 00:30:20,067 it clearly would have shown to them 661 00:30:20,233 --> 00:30:22,278 where the problem was. 662 00:30:24,279 --> 00:30:26,449 - That's all that's left. 663 00:30:26,615 --> 00:30:28,075 No sign of the pump. 664 00:30:28,241 --> 00:30:31,120 The lines are all gone, melted. 665 00:30:31,287 --> 00:30:33,623 - The only part of the de-icing system 666 00:30:33,788 --> 00:30:35,040 that survived the fire 667 00:30:35,165 --> 00:30:38,544 is a melted portion of the plastic reservoir. 668 00:30:38,669 --> 00:30:41,505 - This tells us nothing. 669 00:30:46,259 --> 00:30:48,136 (mysterious music) 670 00:30:48,304 --> 00:30:49,971 - Focusing on the smell of alcohol 671 00:30:50,138 --> 00:30:51,473 reported by the crew, 672 00:30:51,641 --> 00:30:54,852 investigators study a sample of the de-icing fluid 673 00:30:54,977 --> 00:30:56,436 used by Pilgrim Airlines 674 00:30:56,561 --> 00:31:00,149 to determine just how flammable it is. 675 00:31:05,654 --> 00:31:09,200 (sighs) - 87% isopropyl. 676 00:31:10,241 --> 00:31:12,286 That's pretty flammable stuff. 677 00:31:13,996 --> 00:31:15,498 - They are now fairly certain 678 00:31:15,664 --> 00:31:19,210 that the de-icing fluid on Flight 458 ignited, 679 00:31:19,335 --> 00:31:21,628 leading to a raging fire. 680 00:31:21,796 --> 00:31:24,256 But they still don't know how. 681 00:31:25,465 --> 00:31:28,469 - We really have not had any experience 682 00:31:28,594 --> 00:31:30,095 with this type of system 683 00:31:30,220 --> 00:31:33,015 causing a fire on board an airplane. 684 00:31:33,182 --> 00:31:35,142 (mysterious music) 685 00:31:35,308 --> 00:31:37,811 - They go over the First Officer's statement 686 00:31:37,979 --> 00:31:40,980 for clues about how the fire started. 687 00:31:41,106 --> 00:31:42,942 - He did say the system didn't work very well 688 00:31:43,067 --> 00:31:44,402 when they tried to de-ice. 689 00:31:44,527 --> 00:31:47,195 - The first time I hit the switch, 690 00:31:47,363 --> 00:31:51,200 I got a tiny bit of fluid on my side. 691 00:31:51,366 --> 00:31:55,913 So I tried a second time and got nothing. 692 00:31:56,038 --> 00:31:58,249 - So what did you do? 693 00:31:58,374 --> 00:32:00,668 - That's when I got the strong smell of alcohol, 694 00:32:00,835 --> 00:32:02,545 so I stopped trying. 695 00:32:02,711 --> 00:32:06,089 A few seconds later, we smelled the smoke. 696 00:32:08,174 --> 00:32:10,176 - Investigators now need to figure out 697 00:32:10,301 --> 00:32:12,304 what part of the de-icing system 698 00:32:12,430 --> 00:32:16,599 could have led to the fire that brought down Flight 458. 699 00:32:19,686 --> 00:32:21,020 (narrator): Investigators review 700 00:32:21,188 --> 00:32:23,606 maintenance records of the destroyed airplane 701 00:32:23,732 --> 00:32:25,067 for any previous issues 702 00:32:25,233 --> 00:32:28,570 with the plane's windshield de-icing system. 703 00:32:28,738 --> 00:32:30,530 - It had a history of leaking. 704 00:32:31,365 --> 00:32:34,160 - Reports show that the plastic tubing 705 00:32:34,285 --> 00:32:37,704 had a history of cracking and separating from the pump. 706 00:32:37,872 --> 00:32:40,124 Pilgrim's mechanics fixed the problem 707 00:32:40,249 --> 00:32:42,000 by trimming the cracked tubing 708 00:32:42,125 --> 00:32:44,961 and re-attaching it to the pump with clamps. 709 00:32:45,086 --> 00:32:47,464 - As the alcohol comes into contact 710 00:32:47,589 --> 00:32:49,383 with this tubing from the inside, 711 00:32:49,508 --> 00:32:51,719 it's changing the properties of the tubing 712 00:32:51,844 --> 00:32:54,930 and it's causing it to harden and swell, 713 00:32:55,096 --> 00:32:56,848 so at the connection points, 714 00:32:56,973 --> 00:33:00,393 it's no longer maintaining a good contact. 715 00:33:00,560 --> 00:33:03,271 - They dig further into the plane's history 716 00:33:03,439 --> 00:33:05,231 to find anything that could explain 717 00:33:05,356 --> 00:33:08,736 how the de-icing system led to an on-board fire. 718 00:33:08,903 --> 00:33:11,404 - Yeah. Listen to this. A few months ago, 719 00:33:11,529 --> 00:33:13,449 they discovered a leak on this plane. 720 00:33:13,615 --> 00:33:14,866 Maintenance checked it out, 721 00:33:14,991 --> 00:33:17,452 discovered the tubing was too short to reach the pump. 722 00:33:20,079 --> 00:33:21,039 - They had trimmed 723 00:33:21,164 --> 00:33:22,499 and reconnected the tubing so often, 724 00:33:22,624 --> 00:33:24,000 that it didn't fit anymore. 725 00:33:24,125 --> 00:33:27,755 - Every time mechanics trimmed the cracked tubing, 726 00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:29,757 they made it progressively shorter, 727 00:33:29,923 --> 00:33:32,593 until it couldn't reach the pump. 728 00:33:32,759 --> 00:33:34,511 - Over time, you wouldn't have 729 00:33:34,636 --> 00:33:36,137 enough hose left to attach it 730 00:33:36,305 --> 00:33:39,224 and you would have to replace that piece of tubing. 731 00:33:40,643 --> 00:33:42,060 - Hello. 732 00:33:42,185 --> 00:33:44,313 It looks like the same thing happened on this plane 733 00:33:44,480 --> 00:33:47,066 just three days before the accident. 734 00:33:48,233 --> 00:33:50,903 A pretty major leak by the sounds of it. 735 00:33:51,028 --> 00:33:55,157 - Pilots saw a leak during a stop in New Haven. 736 00:33:55,324 --> 00:33:57,867 - They tried to re-attach the hose coming from the pump, 737 00:33:57,992 --> 00:33:58,952 but they couldn't 738 00:33:59,077 --> 00:34:01,246 because the tubing was too short. 739 00:34:01,831 --> 00:34:03,331 They wrote it up 740 00:34:03,498 --> 00:34:05,918 and a mechanic worked on it later that day. 741 00:34:07,378 --> 00:34:10,047 - The mechanic repaired the damaged tubing, 742 00:34:10,172 --> 00:34:12,090 reconnected and secured it, 743 00:34:12,215 --> 00:34:15,135 then refilled the reservoir. 744 00:34:16,137 --> 00:34:18,806 - The mechanic says he clamped the tubing to the pump, 745 00:34:18,972 --> 00:34:20,724 and then signed off on the discrepancy 746 00:34:20,849 --> 00:34:22,101 as "repaired". 747 00:34:24,019 --> 00:34:25,813 Three days later, the plane goes up in flame 748 00:34:25,938 --> 00:34:28,940 s as the pilots try to de-ice. 749 00:34:29,065 --> 00:34:31,193 - Investigators suspect 750 00:34:31,360 --> 00:34:34,572 the tubes carrying fluid to and from the pump 751 00:34:34,697 --> 00:34:35,989 weren't properly secured 752 00:34:36,157 --> 00:34:39,284 and detached from the pump after the repair. 753 00:34:40,577 --> 00:34:42,246 - There's a good chance that that line wasn't 754 00:34:42,371 --> 00:34:44,414 as long as it should have been 755 00:34:44,539 --> 00:34:46,333 and probably was pulling on the pump, 756 00:34:46,499 --> 00:34:48,210 and because of how it was attached, 757 00:34:48,376 --> 00:34:49,836 it came off. 758 00:34:49,961 --> 00:34:51,255 - Still nothing. 759 00:34:51,380 --> 00:34:53,465 - The team believes a faulty repair 760 00:34:53,590 --> 00:34:55,925 is the reason the de-icing system 761 00:34:56,050 --> 00:34:58,429 malfunctioned on Flight 458. 762 00:34:58,554 --> 00:35:01,681 But that still doesn't explain the fire. 763 00:35:01,849 --> 00:35:03,309 - The NTSB, 764 00:35:03,434 --> 00:35:05,811 in an effort to determine just what effect 765 00:35:05,936 --> 00:35:08,938 that system could have had on a fire, 766 00:35:09,063 --> 00:35:11,358 either starting it or contributing to it, 767 00:35:11,483 --> 00:35:13,693 they took one of these reservoirs 768 00:35:13,818 --> 00:35:16,322 and a pump into the laboratory 769 00:35:16,447 --> 00:35:18,657 and hooked it up to a power supply 770 00:35:18,782 --> 00:35:20,367 to see what it would do. 771 00:35:21,242 --> 00:35:23,454 - Investigators need to determine 772 00:35:23,579 --> 00:35:25,496 how much of the highly flammable fluid 773 00:35:25,623 --> 00:35:27,291 would have pooled below the cockpit 774 00:35:27,416 --> 00:35:30,753 if the tube did detach as they suspect. 775 00:35:32,253 --> 00:35:35,507 - Okay, let's see what we get. 776 00:35:35,632 --> 00:35:38,092 (mysterious music) 777 00:35:40,219 --> 00:35:42,889 Even without activating the system, 778 00:35:43,056 --> 00:35:46,184 it leaks when the tube isn't attached. 779 00:35:46,309 --> 00:35:48,186 - They measure the amount of fluid 780 00:35:48,311 --> 00:35:50,481 that leaks from the pump. 781 00:35:51,273 --> 00:35:52,815 - The testing disclosed 782 00:35:52,942 --> 00:35:56,527 that the pump would leak fluid 783 00:35:56,653 --> 00:36:00,074 to the rate of about 90 milliliters a minute. 784 00:36:00,782 --> 00:36:02,576 And over time, 785 00:36:02,742 --> 00:36:05,704 that could actually drain the entire tank 786 00:36:05,829 --> 00:36:07,414 of a gallon-and-a-half of fluid. 787 00:36:07,539 --> 00:36:08,623 - The test shows 788 00:36:08,791 --> 00:36:11,210 that if the tube from the pump had detached, 789 00:36:11,335 --> 00:36:13,628 a large pool of flammable liquid 790 00:36:13,795 --> 00:36:15,755 would have accumulated below the cockpit 791 00:36:15,880 --> 00:36:19,760 even before the pilots tried to de-ice the windshield. 792 00:36:19,927 --> 00:36:24,389 - Let's see what happens when the system is activated. 793 00:36:25,807 --> 00:36:27,101 (gasps) 794 00:36:31,521 --> 00:36:33,440 Seven feet. 795 00:36:33,565 --> 00:36:36,568 (sighs) - Holy smokes that goes far. 796 00:36:37,360 --> 00:36:41,197 - When Hogg tries to activate the windshield de-icing system, 797 00:36:41,322 --> 00:36:43,157 the pump would have sprayed fluid 798 00:36:43,324 --> 00:36:45,202 across a distance of seven feet 799 00:36:45,327 --> 00:36:47,621 in the compartment below the cockpit. 800 00:36:48,998 --> 00:36:50,291 - The consequences of that, 801 00:36:50,416 --> 00:36:53,043 given what is down in that area, 802 00:36:53,168 --> 00:36:55,586 are quite severe. 803 00:36:57,505 --> 00:36:59,632 - The de-ice pump gets pretty hot 804 00:36:59,757 --> 00:37:00,925 when it's operating. 805 00:37:01,050 --> 00:37:05,972 The air from the bleed air duct is 150 degrees Fahrenheit. 806 00:37:06,139 --> 00:37:08,141 The discharge from the silencer 807 00:37:08,309 --> 00:37:11,061 sends heated air into the cockpit. 808 00:37:11,186 --> 00:37:14,063 And the electric motor that drives the flaps 809 00:37:14,188 --> 00:37:16,525 could also ignite the fluid. 810 00:37:16,692 --> 00:37:19,527 - Investigators pinpoint several components 811 00:37:19,695 --> 00:37:21,237 that could have ignited the spray 812 00:37:21,362 --> 00:37:23,782 of highly flammable liquid. 813 00:37:23,907 --> 00:37:26,744 - Investigators were never able to fully determine 814 00:37:26,869 --> 00:37:28,871 what ignited the fluid 815 00:37:29,038 --> 00:37:30,581 because there was so much down there. 816 00:37:30,706 --> 00:37:33,833 It could have been the heat from the hydraulic pump. 817 00:37:34,001 --> 00:37:37,003 It could have been the motor for the hydraulic pump. 818 00:37:37,170 --> 00:37:38,922 It could have been any one of the components 819 00:37:39,048 --> 00:37:40,048 on the airplane, 820 00:37:40,215 --> 00:37:41,592 on the back of the instrument panel. 821 00:37:42,550 --> 00:37:44,302 - Directly to Providence, please. 822 00:37:44,427 --> 00:37:46,722 This is an emergency. There is a fire on board. 823 00:37:46,889 --> 00:37:50,224 - Once the liquid ignites, it doesn't take long for fire 824 00:37:50,391 --> 00:37:52,769 to spread throughout the airplane. 825 00:37:52,894 --> 00:37:54,228 - Older aircraft are 826 00:37:54,396 --> 00:37:56,690 less fire-resistant than newer aircraft 827 00:37:56,856 --> 00:38:00,110 and if you have alcohol from a de-icing system 828 00:38:00,235 --> 00:38:02,612 spreading through the airplane, 829 00:38:02,737 --> 00:38:05,532 it would have been easier for it to have burnt 830 00:38:05,657 --> 00:38:07,701 than probably the newer materials. 831 00:38:09,119 --> 00:38:11,413 - They've been flying around in a time bomb all these years, 832 00:38:11,579 --> 00:38:13,581 and no one thought this was a problem? 833 00:38:15,124 --> 00:38:16,210 - I think it's surprising, 834 00:38:16,376 --> 00:38:18,545 any time you find, particularly an aircraft 835 00:38:18,711 --> 00:38:20,672 that's been in service for so long 836 00:38:20,798 --> 00:38:22,215 with such a good history, 837 00:38:22,382 --> 00:38:23,884 find something new 838 00:38:24,050 --> 00:38:25,927 that you learn in an investigation. 839 00:38:26,094 --> 00:38:30,056 - Investigators now consider one final question. 840 00:38:30,224 --> 00:38:31,809 - How the hell did they even manage 841 00:38:31,934 --> 00:38:33,684 to get this plane on the ground? 842 00:38:33,811 --> 00:38:36,355 (somber music) 843 00:38:42,277 --> 00:38:44,070 arrators 844 00:38:44,237 --> 00:38:47,407 study the actions of the pilots of Pilgrim 458 845 00:38:47,574 --> 00:38:49,784 as they responded to the emergency 846 00:38:49,952 --> 00:38:51,411 unfolding on board. 847 00:38:51,536 --> 00:38:52,704 (mysterious music) 848 00:38:52,829 --> 00:38:56,583 - The first sign of black smoke, they call in the emergency. 849 00:38:59,795 --> 00:39:01,422 Then immediately change course 850 00:39:01,547 --> 00:39:03,590 for an emergency landing at Providence. 851 00:39:05,007 --> 00:39:06,092 - He pushed the yoke forward 852 00:39:06,217 --> 00:39:09,429 to make the airplane descend very quickly. 853 00:39:09,554 --> 00:39:10,681 (coughs) 854 00:39:10,806 --> 00:39:12,391 They were still in the clouds. 855 00:39:12,516 --> 00:39:15,184 And the airplane was coming down rapidly. 856 00:39:15,309 --> 00:39:16,603 (radio): Turn right, 857 00:39:16,769 --> 00:39:20,148 heading of one five zero for vectors to Providence. 858 00:39:20,315 --> 00:39:22,108 - Let's get on the ground. 859 00:39:22,233 --> 00:39:23,693 (narrator): The pilots quickly began 860 00:39:23,818 --> 00:39:25,778 a rapid descent from 4,000 feet, 861 00:39:25,945 --> 00:39:28,824 while making a right turn towards Providence. 862 00:39:28,990 --> 00:39:30,199 (coughing) 863 00:39:30,324 --> 00:39:33,454 - All their focus was on getting the airplane down. 864 00:39:35,998 --> 00:39:37,206 - At this point, 865 00:39:37,331 --> 00:39:40,001 the cockpit is full of thick, black smoke and fire. 866 00:39:40,168 --> 00:39:41,586 So what do these guys do? 867 00:39:41,711 --> 00:39:43,130 They stick their heads out the window 868 00:39:43,297 --> 00:39:45,007 and try and get below the clouds. 869 00:39:45,798 --> 00:39:49,052 - In spite of being unable to see or breathe 870 00:39:49,177 --> 00:39:51,429 and badly burned by fire, 871 00:39:51,554 --> 00:39:54,557 the pilots fight to get the plane below the clouds. 872 00:39:54,682 --> 00:39:57,561 - They were getting some severe burns 873 00:39:57,686 --> 00:40:00,646 on their bodies. They never left their seats, 874 00:40:00,813 --> 00:40:03,317 and the fact that they were doing everything they could 875 00:40:03,442 --> 00:40:04,818 to control this airplane 876 00:40:04,943 --> 00:40:07,945 and getting it down to land on that frozen lakebed 877 00:40:08,070 --> 00:40:09,572 was amazing. 878 00:40:10,364 --> 00:40:13,159 - Despite the pain and the terror, 879 00:40:13,284 --> 00:40:15,954 these pilots stayed at their posts, 880 00:40:16,079 --> 00:40:18,331 they kept flying the airplane. 881 00:40:18,456 --> 00:40:22,503 They were determined to get it down safely 882 00:40:22,628 --> 00:40:26,465 despite the agony they were confronting. 883 00:40:26,590 --> 00:40:28,842 (dramatic music) 884 00:40:29,842 --> 00:40:31,177 - They report breaking through the clouds 885 00:40:31,302 --> 00:40:32,929 at 1,000 feet. 886 00:40:33,054 --> 00:40:34,514 Quick left turn. 887 00:40:34,639 --> 00:40:37,099 They're on the ground in seconds. 888 00:40:37,226 --> 00:40:39,519 - The cardinal rule is, you know with a fire 889 00:40:39,686 --> 00:40:40,938 is get the airplane on the ground 890 00:40:41,063 --> 00:40:43,981 as fast as you can, and we did that. 891 00:40:44,106 --> 00:40:45,900 It wasn't pretty, but we did that. 892 00:40:46,068 --> 00:40:49,487 We got it on the ground and most everybody survived. 893 00:40:50,905 --> 00:40:52,657 (crashing) 894 00:40:52,782 --> 00:40:55,744 (dramatic music) 895 00:40:57,788 --> 00:40:59,373 - Six minutes 896 00:40:59,539 --> 00:41:01,208 to get below the clouds, find a place to land 897 00:41:01,333 --> 00:41:03,668 and put it on the ground 898 00:41:03,793 --> 00:41:05,586 in a burning airplane. 899 00:41:08,465 --> 00:41:10,592 - The investigators commend both pilots 900 00:41:10,759 --> 00:41:13,010 for their "prompt and heroic actions" 901 00:41:13,135 --> 00:41:15,304 in response to the emergency. 902 00:41:16,681 --> 00:41:19,434 - Here's an example of a crew, you know, 903 00:41:19,601 --> 00:41:21,311 at the height of their skills and professionalism 904 00:41:21,436 --> 00:41:24,898 saving the lives of themselves and the people aboard. 905 00:41:25,023 --> 00:41:26,858 - Yeah, yeah. 906 00:41:26,983 --> 00:41:29,235 - Let's get out of here. - Yeah. 907 00:41:29,402 --> 00:41:32,114 - Lesser men would have given up. 908 00:41:32,280 --> 00:41:33,282 They didn't give up. 909 00:41:33,447 --> 00:41:34,949 They fought right to the end and, uh... 910 00:41:35,117 --> 00:41:36,159 and that's why I'm here today. 911 00:41:36,284 --> 00:41:37,577 (passengers coughing) 912 00:41:37,744 --> 00:41:39,704 - Passengers also praise the actions 913 00:41:39,829 --> 00:41:42,958 of off-duty flight engineer Harry Polychron 914 00:41:43,124 --> 00:41:45,335 for helping to save lives. 915 00:41:45,460 --> 00:41:48,755 - Without the actions of the passenger 916 00:41:48,922 --> 00:41:52,550 sitting in front of me with a tennis racket 917 00:41:52,675 --> 00:41:54,760 that broke out those windows, 918 00:41:54,885 --> 00:41:56,470 I absolutely believe 919 00:41:56,637 --> 00:41:59,891 other people would have died in that crash. 920 00:42:00,016 --> 00:42:01,726 (coughing) 921 00:42:01,851 --> 00:42:03,394 - The NTSB determines 922 00:42:03,519 --> 00:42:06,106 that the fire on board Flight 458 923 00:42:06,231 --> 00:42:07,608 was the result of the poor design 924 00:42:07,733 --> 00:42:10,485 of the windshield de-icing system. 925 00:42:10,652 --> 00:42:15,197 - I didn't know how flammable isopropyl alcohol was. 926 00:42:15,324 --> 00:42:17,992 I think it took the industry by surprise 927 00:42:18,159 --> 00:42:21,288 that it was so flammable and could result 928 00:42:21,413 --> 00:42:24,291 in such a devastating fire so quickly. 929 00:42:24,416 --> 00:42:26,501 - Investigators recommend 930 00:42:26,668 --> 00:42:28,628 that the isopropyl alcohol system 931 00:42:28,753 --> 00:42:31,298 on all Twin Otters be replaced 932 00:42:31,423 --> 00:42:34,134 with an electrically heated windshield. 933 00:42:34,259 --> 00:42:36,969 - The alcohol-de-icing systems went away 934 00:42:37,137 --> 00:42:39,181 as a result of this accident 935 00:42:39,347 --> 00:42:40,891 and I think a realization 936 00:42:41,016 --> 00:42:44,269 that the hazards were just... were too high. 937 00:42:45,019 --> 00:42:48,481 - But the enduring legacy of Flight 458 938 00:42:48,648 --> 00:42:50,858 is the heroism and professionalism 939 00:42:51,025 --> 00:42:54,403 of two pilots who overcame overwhelming odds 940 00:42:54,528 --> 00:42:56,864 to get their plane and their passengers 941 00:42:57,032 --> 00:42:59,242 safely to the ground. 942 00:42:59,367 --> 00:43:01,411 - I don't consider myself a hero. 943 00:43:01,536 --> 00:43:04,164 I consider that we did what we were trained to do 944 00:43:04,331 --> 00:43:06,083 and did what we had to do that day 945 00:43:06,208 --> 00:43:08,001 in order to survive. 946 00:43:08,918 --> 00:43:11,505 - The two pilots received numerous honors 947 00:43:11,630 --> 00:43:13,632 for their heroic actions. 948 00:43:13,757 --> 00:43:16,134 Today, a memorial stands in a park 949 00:43:16,259 --> 00:43:19,679 named after Prinster and Hogg in Scituate, Rhode Island, 950 00:43:19,804 --> 00:43:23,307 near the location of their remarkable landing. 951 00:43:24,726 --> 00:43:27,853 41 years later, the heroes of Flight 458 952 00:43:27,978 --> 00:43:31,858 reflect on the hard lessons learned that day. 953 00:43:32,025 --> 00:43:36,112 - I mean, you guys were just, uh, heroic in... 954 00:43:36,237 --> 00:43:38,197 in your, uh, mental strength 955 00:43:38,322 --> 00:43:40,282 to just stay with the task there. 956 00:43:40,409 --> 00:43:42,577 Fortitude is the word. 957 00:43:43,744 --> 00:43:45,204 (Hogg): I think your body takes over 958 00:43:45,371 --> 00:43:47,373 and you just hang in there. 959 00:43:47,498 --> 00:43:49,626 - It's nice when stuff really hits the fan, 960 00:43:49,751 --> 00:43:51,920 you can really kind of shed everything away 961 00:43:52,086 --> 00:43:53,797 and go for it. 962 00:43:53,922 --> 00:43:56,632 And I think we all... we all had a little bit of that. 963 00:43:56,757 --> 00:43:58,885 - Yeah, it's, uh... It was quite a day. 964 00:43:59,010 --> 00:44:00,344 - Yeah. (chuckles) 965 00:44:00,469 --> 00:44:02,597 (soft music) 966 00:44:05,559 --> 00:44:08,061 (theme music) 967 00:44:25,619 --> 00:44:29,791 Sous-titrage: difuze