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These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:01,827 --> 00:00:03,793 Narrator: the hindenburg... 2 00:00:03,827 --> 00:00:07,206 The largest aircraft ever built, 3 00:00:07,241 --> 00:00:09,896 An incredible feat Of nazi engineering. 4 00:00:09,931 --> 00:00:12,068 That was certainly The most advanced airship 5 00:00:12,103 --> 00:00:15,103 That had ever been built. 6 00:00:15,137 --> 00:00:18,241 But in 1937, disaster strikes. 7 00:00:18,275 --> 00:00:20,758 Man: The hindenburg is in flames. 8 00:00:20,793 --> 00:00:23,965 Narrator: a raging fire tears Through the giant airship. 9 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:25,310 Morrison: Oh, the humanity! 10 00:00:25,344 --> 00:00:27,931 This is the worst thing I've ever witnessed. 11 00:00:27,965 --> 00:00:29,482 Narrator: The cause of the crash 12 00:00:29,517 --> 00:00:32,827 Is an 80-year-old mystery. 13 00:00:32,862 --> 00:00:35,586 In a matter of seconds, 245 meters of airship 14 00:00:35,620 --> 00:00:39,034 Was reduced To just smoking wreckage. 15 00:00:39,068 --> 00:00:42,413 Narrator: 35 people lose their lives. 16 00:00:42,448 --> 00:00:45,344 What really happened That fateful night? 17 00:00:45,379 --> 00:00:47,241 ♪♪ 18 00:00:47,275 --> 00:00:51,793 Now investigators use Pioneering technology... 19 00:00:51,827 --> 00:00:55,931 I don't think the flight crew Did the correct things. 20 00:00:55,965 --> 00:00:57,827 Narrator: ...And innovative Forensic techniques 21 00:00:57,862 --> 00:01:00,482 To unearth new evidence. 22 00:01:00,517 --> 00:01:03,379 I can see the explosion Immediately. 23 00:01:03,413 --> 00:01:04,827 We've got a whoomph, Didn't we? 24 00:01:04,862 --> 00:01:07,103 You hear That chamber go. 25 00:01:08,310 --> 00:01:12,793 Narrator: Using cutting edge 3-d graphics, 26 00:01:12,827 --> 00:01:15,965 We will resurrect the hindenburg From the ashes. 27 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:18,310 ♪♪ 28 00:01:18,344 --> 00:01:21,586 We'll reveal its inner workings 29 00:01:21,620 --> 00:01:25,689 And the engineering That makes it fly. 30 00:01:25,724 --> 00:01:29,137 We'll reconstruct The night of the inferno 31 00:01:29,172 --> 00:01:33,862 To reveal the mysteries of this Incredible nazi flying machine. 32 00:01:33,896 --> 00:01:36,862 --captions by vitac-- Www.Vitac.Com 33 00:01:36,896 --> 00:01:39,827 Captions paid for by Discovery communications 34 00:01:39,862 --> 00:01:41,241 ♪♪ 35 00:01:41,275 --> 00:01:45,206 May 6, 1937. 36 00:01:45,241 --> 00:01:47,413 Adorned with nazi swastikas, 37 00:01:47,448 --> 00:01:50,275 Germany's hindenburg airship Flies over new york 38 00:01:50,310 --> 00:01:54,896 After completing a three-day Crossing of the atlantic. 39 00:01:54,931 --> 00:01:56,724 It makes the journey Twice as fast 40 00:01:56,758 --> 00:01:58,482 As the quickest ocean liner. 41 00:01:58,517 --> 00:02:01,379 ♪♪ 42 00:02:01,413 --> 00:02:05,724 The hindenburg is the pride Of the nazi air fleet. 43 00:02:05,758 --> 00:02:07,655 At over 800 feet long, 44 00:02:07,689 --> 00:02:10,172 It's the largest aircraft Ever to fly. 45 00:02:10,206 --> 00:02:12,413 ♪♪ 46 00:02:12,448 --> 00:02:14,586 Under its aluminum-coated skin, 47 00:02:14,620 --> 00:02:18,448 There's space for 61 crew And 70 passengers. 48 00:02:18,482 --> 00:02:21,931 ♪♪ 49 00:02:21,965 --> 00:02:28,586 It's a flying five-star hotel With bedrooms, dining hall. 50 00:02:28,620 --> 00:02:31,448 Piano bar, and smoking room. 51 00:02:31,482 --> 00:02:34,413 ♪♪ 52 00:02:34,448 --> 00:02:38,241 Gigantic cotton gasbags Filled with hydrogen 53 00:02:38,275 --> 00:02:40,689 Make this monster Lighter than air. 54 00:02:40,724 --> 00:02:45,379 ♪♪ 55 00:02:45,413 --> 00:02:50,103 ♪♪ 56 00:02:50,137 --> 00:02:54,137 The hindenburg approaches Its final destination -- 57 00:02:54,172 --> 00:02:58,068 Lakehurst naval base, New jersey. 58 00:02:58,103 --> 00:03:00,896 But as it prepares to land... 59 00:03:00,931 --> 00:03:02,896 Morrison: It burst into flames! 60 00:03:02,931 --> 00:03:05,482 And it's crashing! It's crashing terrible! 61 00:03:05,517 --> 00:03:07,724 Oh, my! Get out of the way please. 62 00:03:07,758 --> 00:03:09,379 It's burning, Bursting into flames, 63 00:03:09,413 --> 00:03:11,310 And it's falling On the mooring masts. 64 00:03:11,344 --> 00:03:13,931 This is one of the worst Catastrophes in the world. 65 00:03:13,965 --> 00:03:15,724 Oh, the humanity! 66 00:03:15,758 --> 00:03:18,379 I don't believe it. Oh! 67 00:03:18,413 --> 00:03:20,758 I-I can't talk, Ladies and gentlemen. 68 00:03:20,793 --> 00:03:23,344 [ woman screaming ] 69 00:03:23,379 --> 00:03:27,068 You see this giant, Beautiful airship float in, 70 00:03:27,103 --> 00:03:29,310 Know that it's filled With people, 71 00:03:29,344 --> 00:03:32,965 And then all of a sudden It just bursts into flame. 72 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:34,620 Narrator: What causes one of the most 73 00:03:34,655 --> 00:03:37,241 Notorious air Disasters in history? 74 00:03:37,275 --> 00:03:40,965 ♪♪ 75 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,655 The enormous hangar one At lakehurst is where 76 00:03:43,689 --> 00:03:46,965 The hindenburg is stored When it flies to the u.S. 77 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,413 ♪♪ 78 00:03:50,448 --> 00:03:52,068 In 1937, 79 00:03:52,103 --> 00:03:56,413 Hangar one is the largest Single room in the world. 80 00:03:56,448 --> 00:04:01,862 It's 350 feet wide And nearly 1,000 feet in length, 81 00:04:01,896 --> 00:04:06,655 As long as the chrysler Building is tall. 82 00:04:06,689 --> 00:04:10,206 It's here where airship Historian dan grossman 83 00:04:10,241 --> 00:04:14,275 Begins his search for the truth. 84 00:04:14,310 --> 00:04:16,068 Grossman: This entire building 85 00:04:16,103 --> 00:04:18,310 Would have been filled With airship. 86 00:04:18,344 --> 00:04:22,586 And it kind of gives you a sense Of just how big the ship is. 87 00:04:22,620 --> 00:04:27,689 This building had hindenburg From one end to the other end. 88 00:04:31,344 --> 00:04:33,103 Narrator: The massive hindenburg 89 00:04:33,137 --> 00:04:34,965 Erupts into flames Just overhead. 90 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,551 ♪♪ 91 00:04:37,586 --> 00:04:40,000 Dan believes that the hangar Contains clues 92 00:04:40,034 --> 00:04:42,551 To help solve this mystery. 93 00:04:42,586 --> 00:04:47,206 We are standing where The control car crashed. 94 00:04:47,241 --> 00:04:49,827 This entire area would have Been covered with nothing 95 00:04:49,862 --> 00:04:53,000 But burning, Smoldering wreckage of airship. 96 00:04:55,931 --> 00:04:57,448 Narrator: to this day, 97 00:04:57,482 --> 00:05:01,965 Hangar one stores Charred traces of the airship. 98 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:04,586 Dan discovers evidence Of the fire's intensity 99 00:05:04,620 --> 00:05:06,689 On these recovered Pieces of silverware. 100 00:05:06,724 --> 00:05:08,965 Grossman: well, we can take A look at some of the items 101 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:10,241 That survived the fire. 102 00:05:10,275 --> 00:05:13,965 You can see where metal Has melted 103 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,379 And dripped onto these pieces. 104 00:05:16,413 --> 00:05:19,344 It was a horrific thing For people to go through. 105 00:05:19,379 --> 00:05:22,689 There was a lot of tragedy Associated with this. 106 00:05:25,586 --> 00:05:27,379 Narrator: In just 32 seconds, 107 00:05:27,413 --> 00:05:30,172 The fire Consumes the entire hindenburg, 108 00:05:30,206 --> 00:05:34,206 Killing 35 of the 97 crew And passengers. 109 00:05:35,793 --> 00:05:39,517 But what can start a fire Ferocious enough to melt metal? 110 00:05:39,551 --> 00:05:43,310 ♪♪ 111 00:05:43,344 --> 00:05:45,137 Within hours of the disaster, 112 00:05:45,172 --> 00:05:48,931 There are rumors that opponents Of hitler sabotaged the ship. 113 00:05:48,965 --> 00:05:51,758 ♪♪ 114 00:05:51,793 --> 00:05:56,379 The hindenburg is as large As the u.S. Capitol building -- 115 00:05:56,413 --> 00:05:58,586 Plenty of room for foul play. 116 00:05:58,620 --> 00:06:00,724 [ ticking ] 117 00:06:00,758 --> 00:06:05,517 ♪♪ 118 00:06:05,551 --> 00:06:09,551 Is there a bomb Onboard the airship? 119 00:06:09,586 --> 00:06:13,310 Fire and explosions expert Dr. Claire benson 120 00:06:13,344 --> 00:06:16,586 Puts the sabotage theory To the test. 121 00:06:16,620 --> 00:06:18,931 Eyewitness accounts At the time suggest 122 00:06:18,965 --> 00:06:21,931 There was a quite A small fire towards the top 123 00:06:21,965 --> 00:06:25,793 And the back of the hindenburg. 124 00:06:25,827 --> 00:06:28,068 Narrator: Claire plans to detonate a bomb 125 00:06:28,103 --> 00:06:30,482 Inside a model Of the airship 126 00:06:30,517 --> 00:06:33,275 And analyze How quickly the fire spreads. 127 00:06:35,172 --> 00:06:39,862 She works with pyrotechnics Expert matthew tosh. 128 00:06:39,896 --> 00:06:41,206 We are modeling now 129 00:06:41,241 --> 00:06:45,172 The individual reservoirs Of hydrogen gas. 130 00:06:45,206 --> 00:06:47,000 We've got a cylinder here, 131 00:06:47,034 --> 00:06:49,724 And claire is going to feed me Some hydrogen gas. 132 00:06:51,931 --> 00:06:56,310 This replicates the hindenburg's Massive hydrogen-filled gasbags. 133 00:06:56,344 --> 00:06:59,275 ♪♪ 134 00:06:59,310 --> 00:07:01,620 Claire will analyze The explosion 135 00:07:01,655 --> 00:07:03,413 And compare it To footage of the fire 136 00:07:03,448 --> 00:07:05,517 That destroys the hindenburg. 137 00:07:05,551 --> 00:07:07,551 Tosh: the explosive we're using On our model 138 00:07:07,586 --> 00:07:10,137 Is black powder, gunpowder. 139 00:07:10,172 --> 00:07:14,448 So this is the explosive Going in. 140 00:07:14,482 --> 00:07:16,931 This is where Tensions start to rise sometimes 141 00:07:16,965 --> 00:07:19,551 Because we're now going Into the firing system. 142 00:07:21,379 --> 00:07:23,758 Narrator: Claire uses a slow-motion camera 143 00:07:23,793 --> 00:07:27,448 To analyze the fire That the bomb sets off. 144 00:07:27,482 --> 00:07:29,827 Tosh: right. Let's arm the system. 145 00:07:29,862 --> 00:07:31,448 We're armed. 146 00:07:31,482 --> 00:07:33,724 Okay. You ready? Here we go. 147 00:07:33,758 --> 00:07:35,241 ♪♪ 148 00:07:35,275 --> 00:07:38,034 In 3, 2, 1. 149 00:07:38,068 --> 00:07:41,103 [ explosion ] 150 00:07:41,137 --> 00:07:43,586 We got a whoomph, didn't we? You hear that chamber go? 151 00:07:43,620 --> 00:07:45,034 Benson: yeah. 152 00:07:45,068 --> 00:07:48,310 ♪♪ 153 00:07:50,517 --> 00:07:51,862 Whoo! 154 00:07:51,896 --> 00:07:53,965 All right. 155 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:55,862 Narrator: the camera footage Is downloaded, 156 00:07:55,896 --> 00:07:59,655 And claire replays the explosion In super slow-motion. 157 00:07:59,689 --> 00:08:03,620 ♪♪ 158 00:08:03,655 --> 00:08:05,827 Benson: I can see the explosion Immediately, 159 00:08:05,862 --> 00:08:08,689 And it seems to engulf The back third, 160 00:08:08,724 --> 00:08:13,241 I would say, of the model Really quite rapidly. 161 00:08:13,275 --> 00:08:18,103 Narrator: the hindenburg fire Last just 32 seconds. 162 00:08:18,137 --> 00:08:20,862 But claire's experiment Suggests an explosive 163 00:08:20,896 --> 00:08:25,517 Would have engulfed the airship In half that time. 164 00:08:25,551 --> 00:08:27,689 Benson: an explosion happened Really rapidly 165 00:08:27,724 --> 00:08:30,517 And then very quickly That fire propagates 166 00:08:30,551 --> 00:08:33,344 Through the whole model And burns it up. 167 00:08:33,379 --> 00:08:36,862 Narrator: despite the apparent Speed of the hindenburg fire, 168 00:08:36,896 --> 00:08:39,310 Claire's experiment reveals In reality 169 00:08:39,344 --> 00:08:43,896 The airship burns too slowly For the cause to be a bomb. 170 00:08:43,931 --> 00:08:46,862 It's a breakthrough In the investigation. 171 00:08:46,896 --> 00:08:52,000 She's certain she can finally Rule out the sabotage theory. 172 00:08:52,034 --> 00:08:54,896 I think we can conclude From the experiment 173 00:08:54,931 --> 00:08:57,586 That it's unlikely That the hindenburg disaster 174 00:08:57,620 --> 00:09:00,896 Was started By an explosive device. 175 00:09:03,965 --> 00:09:08,758 Narrator: a bomb did not bring Down the giant nazi airship. 176 00:09:08,793 --> 00:09:10,551 So what else could it have been? 177 00:09:12,103 --> 00:09:14,551 ♪♪ 178 00:09:14,586 --> 00:09:19,241 Federal authorities discover That before the disaster, 179 00:09:19,275 --> 00:09:22,551 The hindenburg's crew Gets sent threatening letters. 180 00:09:22,586 --> 00:09:26,275 ♪♪ 181 00:09:26,310 --> 00:09:29,137 As they examine the airfield, 182 00:09:29,172 --> 00:09:31,344 Investigators find Suspicious tracks 183 00:09:31,379 --> 00:09:33,482 That lead away From the crash site. 184 00:09:33,517 --> 00:09:36,896 ♪♪ 185 00:09:36,931 --> 00:09:41,448 There are rumors of a gun In the wreckage... 186 00:09:41,482 --> 00:09:45,310 Fueling speculation of a shot From inside the airship. 187 00:09:45,344 --> 00:09:47,586 ♪♪ 188 00:09:47,620 --> 00:09:51,758 But even though investigators Name two suspects, 189 00:09:51,793 --> 00:09:54,379 They eventually rule Out sabotage. 190 00:09:54,413 --> 00:09:57,931 ♪♪ 191 00:09:57,965 --> 00:10:03,241 The explanation of This disaster remains a mystery. 192 00:10:03,275 --> 00:10:05,586 Today, in the search For answers, 193 00:10:05,620 --> 00:10:10,206 Investigators turn to the Design of the hindenburg itself. 194 00:10:10,241 --> 00:10:13,758 What clues does it hold To the cause of the catastrophe? 195 00:10:24,241 --> 00:10:27,896 ♪♪ 196 00:10:27,931 --> 00:10:30,344 Narrator: the nazi-built Hindenburg airship 197 00:10:30,379 --> 00:10:34,896 Bursts into flames as it arrives At lakehurst, new jersey. 198 00:10:34,931 --> 00:10:38,310 Sabotage is ruled out. 199 00:10:38,344 --> 00:10:42,344 But what else could cause This disaster? 200 00:10:42,379 --> 00:10:45,206 Now investigators look to the Hindenburg's design 201 00:10:45,241 --> 00:10:46,793 For answers. 202 00:10:52,103 --> 00:10:53,586 The hindenburg's skeleton 203 00:10:53,620 --> 00:10:59,103 Is a complex web Of aluminum struts and braces. 204 00:10:59,137 --> 00:11:01,379 It carries The ship's infrastructure, 205 00:11:01,413 --> 00:11:06,206 As well as the engines, Passengers, crew and cargo. 206 00:11:06,241 --> 00:11:08,241 ♪♪ 207 00:11:08,275 --> 00:11:11,896 But its main job is to create A large empty space 208 00:11:11,931 --> 00:11:15,551 For the mission-critical Components. 209 00:11:15,586 --> 00:11:19,206 16 gigantic cotton bags... 210 00:11:19,241 --> 00:11:22,655 That hold 7 million Cubic feet of hydrogen, 211 00:11:22,689 --> 00:11:26,758 The lightest element In the universe. 212 00:11:26,793 --> 00:11:30,379 The gas allows The hindenburg to fly, 213 00:11:30,413 --> 00:11:32,896 But does it also cause Its downfall? 214 00:11:36,344 --> 00:11:41,241 Hangar one at lakehurst is The hindenburg's american home. 215 00:11:41,275 --> 00:11:45,034 The giant airship fills The vast space. 216 00:11:45,068 --> 00:11:48,413 Today, it houses wreckage Of the disaster. 217 00:11:48,448 --> 00:11:50,000 ♪♪ 218 00:11:50,034 --> 00:11:51,965 Airship historian Dan grossman 219 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,689 Investigates one Of the surviving pieces. 220 00:11:55,724 --> 00:11:58,137 Grossman: this is an actual Girder from the hindenburg 221 00:11:58,172 --> 00:11:59,965 That was recovered After the wreckage, 222 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,137 And you can see in the bends 223 00:12:02,172 --> 00:12:05,241 And the way this piece Was designed and fabricated, 224 00:12:05,275 --> 00:12:08,172 That made it simultaneously Very strong, 225 00:12:08,206 --> 00:12:12,000 But also very light because I can take this entire girder 226 00:12:12,034 --> 00:12:13,896 And I can hold it With one finger. 227 00:12:17,689 --> 00:12:22,034 Narrator: The hindenburg's designers make The frame as light as possible. 228 00:12:22,068 --> 00:12:25,965 A light frame allows The fuselage to be supersized, 229 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:29,103 Key to carrying as Much hydrogen as possible, 230 00:12:29,137 --> 00:12:32,172 Keeping the hindenburg Airborne. 231 00:12:32,206 --> 00:12:34,068 But there's a problem. 232 00:12:34,103 --> 00:12:37,068 Hydrogen can be very explosive. 233 00:12:37,103 --> 00:12:40,379 Investigators want to know If that causes the fatal fire 234 00:12:40,413 --> 00:12:42,413 Onboard the hindenburg. 235 00:12:43,896 --> 00:12:47,827 Today fire and explosions expert Dr. Claire benson 236 00:12:47,862 --> 00:12:52,172 Is taking a new look at how Hydrogen behaves when ignited. 237 00:12:52,206 --> 00:12:54,586 Benson: this is a bag filled With pure hydrogen. 238 00:12:54,620 --> 00:12:56,931 And inside Is an electrical igniter, 239 00:12:56,965 --> 00:12:58,448 And we're going to see What happens 240 00:12:58,482 --> 00:13:00,689 When we try To ignite pure hydrogen. 241 00:13:04,862 --> 00:13:06,517 Arming. 242 00:13:06,551 --> 00:13:09,344 And 3, 2, 1. 243 00:13:09,379 --> 00:13:10,965 [ snap ] 244 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:13,172 Narrator: It won't set on fire. 245 00:13:13,206 --> 00:13:16,275 A spark cannot Ignite the hydrogen. 246 00:13:16,310 --> 00:13:17,793 The igniter went off, 247 00:13:17,827 --> 00:13:19,862 But there was No combustion reaction inside. 248 00:13:19,896 --> 00:13:23,344 But the hydrogen, because It's just pure hydrogen. 249 00:13:23,379 --> 00:13:25,344 Narrator: But in certain circumstances, 250 00:13:25,379 --> 00:13:28,000 Hydrogen will ignite. 251 00:13:28,034 --> 00:13:30,172 Claire fills a second bag With hydrogen 252 00:13:30,206 --> 00:13:33,241 Mixed with another gas That's all around us -- 253 00:13:33,275 --> 00:13:34,931 Oxygen. 254 00:13:35,965 --> 00:13:39,620 Okay, arming. 3, 2, 1. 255 00:13:39,655 --> 00:13:41,655 [ pop ] 256 00:13:41,689 --> 00:13:46,448 Narrator: Together, hydrogen and oxygen Create an explosive cocktail. 257 00:13:46,482 --> 00:13:49,793 But if they are kept separate, Then hydrogen is perfectly safe. 258 00:13:49,827 --> 00:13:51,241 Benson: We have to manage it. 259 00:13:51,275 --> 00:13:53,413 We have to make sure That we can contain it 260 00:13:53,448 --> 00:13:55,275 And that we can keep it away From oxygen 261 00:13:55,310 --> 00:13:58,448 That it could react with And from ignition sources. 262 00:13:58,482 --> 00:14:00,068 [ pop ] 263 00:14:00,103 --> 00:14:03,034 ♪♪ 264 00:14:03,068 --> 00:14:04,896 Narrator: In the first world war, 265 00:14:04,931 --> 00:14:09,172 German airship designers use Membranes from cows' intestines 266 00:14:09,206 --> 00:14:12,206 To make bags That safely contain hydrogen. 267 00:14:12,241 --> 00:14:14,689 ♪♪ 268 00:14:14,724 --> 00:14:18,724 In the 1930s, They changed to helium -- 269 00:14:18,758 --> 00:14:20,448 A gas with less lifting power, 270 00:14:20,482 --> 00:14:22,310 But also less risk. 271 00:14:22,344 --> 00:14:26,689 ♪♪ 272 00:14:26,724 --> 00:14:32,000 But the only place in the world That produces helium is america. 273 00:14:32,034 --> 00:14:36,344 And the u.S. Won't sell helium to the nazis. 274 00:14:36,379 --> 00:14:39,241 The hindenburg Must use hydrogen, 275 00:14:39,275 --> 00:14:42,551 But can now afford To have nine extra cabins 276 00:14:42,586 --> 00:14:45,068 As hydrogen Has more lifting power. 277 00:14:45,103 --> 00:14:47,793 ♪♪ 278 00:14:47,827 --> 00:14:50,724 The hindenburg's designers Also create a new way 279 00:14:50,758 --> 00:14:53,827 To safely contain the gas. 280 00:14:53,862 --> 00:14:59,000 They make airtight cotton Gasbags to hold the hydrogen. 281 00:14:59,034 --> 00:15:02,068 They are so confident Their plan is foolproof, 282 00:15:02,103 --> 00:15:05,896 They even allow passengers To smoke onboard the airship. 283 00:15:08,275 --> 00:15:12,275 So why does the hindenburg Catch fire? 284 00:15:12,310 --> 00:15:16,068 Claire believes there Can only be one answer. 285 00:15:16,103 --> 00:15:18,448 Benson: on the hindenburg, If there was a leak 286 00:15:18,482 --> 00:15:22,068 Or some kind of mixing Of the hydrogen with the air, 287 00:15:22,103 --> 00:15:25,034 It's the mixing that Would enable the ignition 288 00:15:25,068 --> 00:15:27,310 Of that reaction. 289 00:15:27,344 --> 00:15:29,862 Narrator: could a deadly leak Of hydrogen play a part 290 00:15:29,896 --> 00:15:32,758 In bringing down the hindenburg? 291 00:15:32,793 --> 00:15:35,448 What sparks The catastrophic fire? 292 00:15:44,586 --> 00:15:46,620 ♪♪ 293 00:15:46,655 --> 00:15:49,137 Narrator: the massive nazi Airship hindenburg 294 00:15:49,172 --> 00:15:51,724 Erupts in a raging fire. 295 00:15:51,758 --> 00:15:55,586 Seven million cubic feet Of hydrogen are set aflame. 296 00:15:55,620 --> 00:15:59,448 Within moments, Thirty five people are dead, 297 00:15:59,482 --> 00:16:03,241 But hydrogen will only burn When mixed with oxygen. 298 00:16:03,275 --> 00:16:05,068 It should be completely safe 299 00:16:05,103 --> 00:16:08,413 Within the airship's Giant airtight gasbags. 300 00:16:08,448 --> 00:16:10,551 Now investigators Want to know 301 00:16:10,586 --> 00:16:12,896 How does this hydrogen escape? 302 00:16:15,275 --> 00:16:16,862 Seconds before the disaster, 303 00:16:16,896 --> 00:16:19,448 A witness sees The ship's skin fluttering... 304 00:16:21,827 --> 00:16:24,034 ...Possible evidence Of a gas leak. 305 00:16:24,068 --> 00:16:27,241 ♪♪ 306 00:16:27,275 --> 00:16:32,551 Right beneath this spot are Gasbags number four and five, 307 00:16:32,586 --> 00:16:37,862 Each filled with half a million Cubic feet of hydrogen. 308 00:16:37,896 --> 00:16:40,310 Could something Inside the airship snap 309 00:16:40,344 --> 00:16:42,172 And tear the gasbags? 310 00:16:45,793 --> 00:16:48,310 Now hydrogen can escape... 311 00:16:48,344 --> 00:16:50,310 And mixed with oxygen, 312 00:16:50,344 --> 00:16:53,827 Turning hindenburg Into a gigantic flying bomb. 313 00:16:57,448 --> 00:17:00,482 But how could a section of the Hindenburg's structure break? 314 00:17:02,379 --> 00:17:06,310 Dr. Praskovia milova Is an aeronautical engineer 315 00:17:06,344 --> 00:17:10,241 From the université libre In brussels. 316 00:17:10,275 --> 00:17:14,310 She examines the hindenburg's Design for clues. 317 00:17:14,344 --> 00:17:17,275 Milova: we can see that the main Structure of the hindenburg 318 00:17:17,310 --> 00:17:23,137 Was supported everywhere By still bracing wires, 319 00:17:23,172 --> 00:17:26,103 Narrator: thousands of feet Of steel wire 320 00:17:26,137 --> 00:17:29,586 Braces hindenburg's innovative Lightweight frame. 321 00:17:29,620 --> 00:17:35,586 Steel wires surround all 16 Gasbags, securing them in place. 322 00:17:35,620 --> 00:17:39,310 From this view, you can Imagine that the gasbag 323 00:17:39,344 --> 00:17:42,206 Would be filling This whole space. 324 00:17:42,241 --> 00:17:46,517 And even pressing Against the wires. 325 00:17:46,551 --> 00:17:50,620 Narrator: But steel is prone to rust, 326 00:17:50,655 --> 00:17:54,310 Milova: steel is a corrosive Material just by nature, 327 00:17:54,344 --> 00:17:58,034 And rust then has A significant impact 328 00:17:58,068 --> 00:18:00,103 On the strength of the material. 329 00:18:05,241 --> 00:18:06,965 Narrator: Before the disaster, 330 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:11,379 The hindenburg makes 17 Round trips across the atlantic, 331 00:18:11,413 --> 00:18:14,724 With each crossing taking An average of 55 hours. 332 00:18:14,758 --> 00:18:17,310 ♪♪ 333 00:18:17,344 --> 00:18:21,620 It flies at a cruising altitude Of only 650 feet, 334 00:18:21,655 --> 00:18:24,689 Exposing it to moisture And salt from the ocean. 335 00:18:24,724 --> 00:18:27,344 ♪♪ 336 00:18:27,379 --> 00:18:32,931 To shield the skeleton under the Hindenburg skin from corrosion, 337 00:18:32,965 --> 00:18:35,137 It is covered With protective paint. 338 00:18:35,172 --> 00:18:38,172 ♪♪ 339 00:18:38,206 --> 00:18:41,586 But the steel bracing wires Are unprotected, 340 00:18:41,620 --> 00:18:45,379 And when exposed to salt And moisture, they can rust. 341 00:18:45,413 --> 00:18:49,103 ♪♪ 342 00:18:49,137 --> 00:18:51,137 Praskovia thinks there's Another threat 343 00:18:51,172 --> 00:18:52,793 To the steel wires. 344 00:18:54,931 --> 00:18:57,965 The airship's aluminum Frame bends and stretches 345 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,137 To cope with the challenging Weather conditions 346 00:19:00,172 --> 00:19:01,448 Crossing the atlantic. 347 00:19:01,482 --> 00:19:03,620 Milova: corrosion -- It's the material, 348 00:19:03,655 --> 00:19:07,068 So it creates little cracks On the surface. 349 00:19:07,103 --> 00:19:11,724 And then because the whole Structure is flexible, 350 00:19:11,758 --> 00:19:15,241 The steel wire Would be repetitively 351 00:19:15,275 --> 00:19:17,241 Tensioned and relaxed, 352 00:19:17,275 --> 00:19:20,172 Tensioned and relaxed, And eventually it breaks. 353 00:19:20,206 --> 00:19:22,275 ♪♪ 354 00:19:22,310 --> 00:19:25,103 Narrator: each cotton gasbag Is reinforced and sealed 355 00:19:25,137 --> 00:19:28,344 By a thin layer of rubber. 356 00:19:28,379 --> 00:19:31,965 Could a snapping steel Wire puncture one of the bags? 357 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:35,827 ♪♪ 358 00:19:47,068 --> 00:19:50,965 The cause of the leaking Hydrogen is a mystery today. 359 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:53,241 Praskovia is finally putting 360 00:19:53,275 --> 00:19:56,586 The suspect gasbag material To the test. 361 00:19:56,620 --> 00:19:58,862 She prepares samples Of the rubberized cotton 362 00:19:58,896 --> 00:20:01,448 With lab technician Inge desmet. 363 00:20:05,034 --> 00:20:09,827 Milova: We chose the pointed needle Because if the wire broke, 364 00:20:09,862 --> 00:20:11,931 It would have had The sharp edges, 365 00:20:11,965 --> 00:20:14,000 And the pointed needle would be 366 00:20:14,034 --> 00:20:16,827 The best to assimilate That broken wire. 367 00:20:16,862 --> 00:20:20,758 ♪♪ 368 00:20:20,793 --> 00:20:23,103 Narrator: The machine ramps up the force. 369 00:20:23,137 --> 00:20:26,551 ♪♪ 370 00:20:26,586 --> 00:20:29,241 Milova: This sample was punctured. 371 00:20:29,275 --> 00:20:31,896 You can see the hole. 372 00:20:31,931 --> 00:20:35,827 The puncture resistance Is around 40 newtons. 373 00:20:37,034 --> 00:20:38,862 Narrator: Praskovia's test reveals 374 00:20:38,896 --> 00:20:42,379 How little it takes to pierce The material. 375 00:20:42,413 --> 00:20:44,586 Milova: the gasbag material Could have been 376 00:20:44,620 --> 00:20:49,275 Pretty much easily broken By a broken wire. 377 00:20:49,310 --> 00:20:50,965 Narrator: all the vital Forensic evidence 378 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,931 Is destroyed In the intense fire. 379 00:20:53,965 --> 00:20:55,827 But with the results Of her test, 380 00:20:55,862 --> 00:20:57,827 Praskovia is now certain 381 00:20:57,862 --> 00:21:01,620 A tiny piece of metal Is the most likely culprit. 382 00:21:01,655 --> 00:21:03,620 The cause of The hindenburg disaster 383 00:21:03,655 --> 00:21:05,586 Is finally getting clearer. 384 00:21:05,620 --> 00:21:10,137 ♪♪ 385 00:21:10,172 --> 00:21:13,724 But the leak Still needs a spark. 386 00:21:13,758 --> 00:21:16,034 What starts the mighty fire? 387 00:21:25,655 --> 00:21:28,551 Narrator: may 1937. 388 00:21:28,586 --> 00:21:30,586 The wreckage Of the airship hindenburg 389 00:21:30,620 --> 00:21:34,379 Lies burning On a new jersey airfield. 390 00:21:34,413 --> 00:21:37,551 Now investigators believe A broken steel wire 391 00:21:37,586 --> 00:21:40,620 Has ripped open a gasbag, 392 00:21:40,655 --> 00:21:45,000 And half a million cubic feet Of hydrogen leaks out. 393 00:21:45,034 --> 00:21:47,241 But the highly flammable Mix of hydrogen 394 00:21:47,275 --> 00:21:50,655 And oxygen needs to be ignited. 395 00:21:50,689 --> 00:21:53,827 So what sparks The deadly fire? 396 00:21:53,862 --> 00:21:55,379 [ thunder rumbles ] 397 00:21:55,413 --> 00:22:00,241 The hindenburg lands at Lakehurst during a thunderstorm. 398 00:22:00,275 --> 00:22:02,586 Eyewitnesses report Dim blue lights 399 00:22:02,620 --> 00:22:06,862 Rippling across its aluminum Coated skin. 400 00:22:06,896 --> 00:22:10,724 Are these the sparks That ignite the hydrogen 401 00:22:10,758 --> 00:22:12,827 And bring down the hindenburg? 402 00:22:17,448 --> 00:22:19,862 Dr. Chris gould is An electrical engineer 403 00:22:19,896 --> 00:22:22,448 From staffordshire university In england. 404 00:22:22,482 --> 00:22:25,137 ♪♪ 405 00:22:25,172 --> 00:22:27,103 He investigates If a thunderstorm 406 00:22:27,137 --> 00:22:30,655 Can produce a spark powerful Enough to start a fire. 407 00:22:30,689 --> 00:22:32,551 Gould: What we're trying to test here 408 00:22:32,586 --> 00:22:35,034 Is how can a spot be created 409 00:22:35,068 --> 00:22:38,655 Within the hindenburg structure? 410 00:22:38,689 --> 00:22:40,724 Narrator: Thunderstorms produce millions 411 00:22:40,758 --> 00:22:43,793 Of volts of electricity. 412 00:22:43,827 --> 00:22:45,758 The hindenburg Is electrically charged 413 00:22:45,793 --> 00:22:50,103 Flying through The stormy conditions. 414 00:22:50,137 --> 00:22:52,172 But dropping its Mooring ropes for landing 415 00:22:52,206 --> 00:22:54,827 Should safely discharge The airship. 416 00:22:54,862 --> 00:22:57,620 ♪♪ 417 00:22:57,655 --> 00:22:59,172 The mooring ropes Should channel 418 00:22:59,206 --> 00:23:02,379 Any electrical charge to earth, 419 00:23:02,413 --> 00:23:05,862 Eliminating the risk Of potentially lethal sparks. 420 00:23:08,793 --> 00:23:13,103 How is a spark created On the hindenburg? 421 00:23:13,137 --> 00:23:16,689 Chris and technical assistant Suhil want to find out. 422 00:23:18,172 --> 00:23:22,793 They use a replica of the Hindenburg skin to investigate. 423 00:23:22,827 --> 00:23:25,517 This model represents The main components 424 00:23:25,551 --> 00:23:29,620 Of the hindenburg -- The airframe and the outer skin, 425 00:23:29,655 --> 00:23:35,482 Which has a woven fabric Painted with aluminium powder. 426 00:23:35,517 --> 00:23:38,689 And we have this aluminium bar, 427 00:23:38,724 --> 00:23:41,793 Which represents The metal structure 428 00:23:41,827 --> 00:23:45,034 Of the airship airframe. 429 00:23:45,068 --> 00:23:47,241 Narrator: the mooring ropes Are only attached 430 00:23:47,275 --> 00:23:51,862 To the airship's aluminum Alloy frame. 431 00:23:51,896 --> 00:23:56,724 The skin is separated from it By wooden dowels. 432 00:23:56,758 --> 00:23:59,206 Chris suspects this separation Means the skin 433 00:23:59,241 --> 00:24:01,103 Keeps its electrical charge 434 00:24:01,137 --> 00:24:04,965 When the airship drops Its mooring ropes. 435 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,689 The electrical current Then flows across the gap 436 00:24:07,724 --> 00:24:10,448 In the form of a spark. 437 00:24:10,482 --> 00:24:12,965 If we can create the spark In that gap, 438 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:17,965 Then potentially That can lead to ignition. 439 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:19,827 Narrator: Flying through the storm, 440 00:24:19,862 --> 00:24:23,793 The hindenburg's outer skin Gets covered in water. 441 00:24:23,827 --> 00:24:26,586 Chris and suhil recreate The same conditions 442 00:24:26,620 --> 00:24:28,241 On their model. 443 00:24:28,275 --> 00:24:31,068 Gould: the water that we poured Onto the fabric of the airship 444 00:24:31,103 --> 00:24:33,620 Is replicating The pools of water 445 00:24:33,655 --> 00:24:35,551 That have formed as the airship 446 00:24:35,586 --> 00:24:40,827 Has been traveling through The poor weather conditions. 447 00:24:40,862 --> 00:24:43,379 Narrator: suhil connects The high-voltage generator 448 00:24:43,413 --> 00:24:45,620 To the wet skin... 449 00:24:45,655 --> 00:24:47,413 And grounds the inner frame 450 00:24:47,448 --> 00:24:51,551 Exactly like the hindenburg Moments before the disaster. 451 00:24:51,586 --> 00:24:54,172 Gould: I think we're ready to go. 452 00:24:54,206 --> 00:24:58,275 Narrator: chris's equipment Can produce up to 50,000 volts. 453 00:24:58,310 --> 00:25:02,068 The experiment must be done Inside a cage for safety. 454 00:25:02,103 --> 00:25:04,206 ♪♪ 455 00:25:04,241 --> 00:25:08,034 1,000. One and a half. 456 00:25:08,068 --> 00:25:09,827 2,000 volts. 457 00:25:09,862 --> 00:25:11,689 We can see a spark. We've got a spark. 458 00:25:11,724 --> 00:25:14,068 ♪♪ 459 00:25:14,103 --> 00:25:16,620 Chris creates a spark In the exact conditions 460 00:25:16,655 --> 00:25:19,724 The hindenburg faces. 461 00:25:19,758 --> 00:25:22,724 His findings are conclusive. 462 00:25:22,758 --> 00:25:24,344 Chris believes it's a discovery 463 00:25:24,379 --> 00:25:27,758 To finally solve An 82-year-old mystery. 464 00:25:29,793 --> 00:25:34,344 The test reveals a fatal Design flaw in the hindenburg. 465 00:25:34,379 --> 00:25:37,482 Wooden dowels insulated skin From the metal frame 466 00:25:37,517 --> 00:25:39,862 And the mooring rope. 467 00:25:39,896 --> 00:25:41,448 The frame loses its charge 468 00:25:41,482 --> 00:25:44,482 When the mooring rope Drops down, 469 00:25:44,517 --> 00:25:48,827 But the skin remains charged And can still trigger sparks. 470 00:25:48,862 --> 00:25:50,931 ♪♪ 471 00:25:50,965 --> 00:25:56,103 Chris is convinced this is The cause of the deadly fire. 472 00:25:56,137 --> 00:25:58,344 Gould: that spark would be Enough to be able 473 00:25:58,379 --> 00:26:03,172 To ignite a leaking hydrogen Mixture from the hindenburg. 474 00:26:03,206 --> 00:26:06,206 Narrator: investigators discover That an electric spark 475 00:26:06,241 --> 00:26:08,862 Ignites the hindenburg. 476 00:26:08,896 --> 00:26:11,586 62 of the 97 onboard 477 00:26:11,620 --> 00:26:14,206 Survived the resulting fire. 478 00:26:14,241 --> 00:26:17,310 How can so many people Escape the inferno? 479 00:26:27,655 --> 00:26:30,413 Narrator: the hindenburg airship Leaking hydrogen 480 00:26:30,448 --> 00:26:33,896 And electrically charged by A huge thunderstorm 481 00:26:33,931 --> 00:26:36,103 Approaches Lakehurst, new jersey. 482 00:26:36,137 --> 00:26:39,931 ♪♪ 483 00:26:39,965 --> 00:26:43,758 During the landing, most Passengers are in the lounge. 484 00:26:43,793 --> 00:26:47,310 They have no idea what's Happening 400 feet behind them. 485 00:26:49,482 --> 00:26:52,344 A spark ignites a gasbag In the tail 486 00:26:52,379 --> 00:26:54,482 And turns it into a fireball. 487 00:26:56,517 --> 00:27:01,517 A huge flame blasts Through the central walkway. 488 00:27:01,551 --> 00:27:05,413 Fire engulfs five crew In the central control rooms 489 00:27:05,448 --> 00:27:08,724 And traps nine crew In the bow. 490 00:27:08,758 --> 00:27:11,620 The nose becomes A giant blowtorch, 491 00:27:11,655 --> 00:27:15,379 And the ship starts to crash. 492 00:27:15,413 --> 00:27:20,172 How can 62 of the 97 people On board survive this inferno? 493 00:27:24,724 --> 00:27:27,655 Airship historian Barbara waibel hunts for answers 494 00:27:27,689 --> 00:27:31,413 In the town Where the hindenburg is built. 495 00:27:31,448 --> 00:27:34,689 Friedrichshafen, germany. 496 00:27:34,724 --> 00:27:37,620 The zeppelin museum houses A full-scale replica 497 00:27:37,655 --> 00:27:41,241 Of the hindenburg's interior. 498 00:27:41,275 --> 00:27:43,379 [ speaking german ] 499 00:27:48,965 --> 00:27:51,965 Narrator: the trip across The atlantic takes three days. 500 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:54,620 ♪♪ 501 00:27:54,655 --> 00:27:58,000 A round trip cost $720. 502 00:27:58,034 --> 00:28:00,827 ♪♪ 503 00:28:00,862 --> 00:28:04,206 Not much today, but in 1937, 504 00:28:04,241 --> 00:28:09,517 It's half the average U.S. Worker's annual salary. 505 00:28:18,103 --> 00:28:22,068 The need to save weight Is the biggest priority. 506 00:28:22,103 --> 00:28:26,310 Each cabin only contains What is absolutely essential. 507 00:28:31,103 --> 00:28:33,344 The hindenburg Makes its final approach 508 00:28:33,379 --> 00:28:35,344 Towards lakehurst, new jersey. 509 00:28:35,379 --> 00:28:38,379 Most passengers are in one Of the two lounges 510 00:28:38,413 --> 00:28:41,793 Enjoying the dramatic views Of new york city. 511 00:28:41,827 --> 00:28:44,172 The hindenburg is designed With vast windows 512 00:28:44,206 --> 00:28:46,862 Along the length of each lounge, 513 00:28:46,896 --> 00:28:49,482 Reconstructed here At the museum. 514 00:28:54,896 --> 00:28:57,206 As the hindenburg Descends to the airfield 515 00:28:57,241 --> 00:28:59,862 At lakehurst naval base, 516 00:28:59,896 --> 00:29:01,620 The large windows in the lounges 517 00:29:01,655 --> 00:29:05,379 Are the most popular place To be, 518 00:29:05,413 --> 00:29:06,862 But the passengers here are 519 00:29:06,896 --> 00:29:10,206 The first to notice The disaster. 520 00:29:19,655 --> 00:29:22,103 ♪♪ 521 00:29:22,137 --> 00:29:24,655 The windows not only Help alert passengers 522 00:29:24,689 --> 00:29:27,931 To the unfolding disaster... 523 00:29:27,965 --> 00:29:30,517 They help with a hasty escape. 524 00:29:42,482 --> 00:29:45,379 The hindenburg catches fire 200 feet in the air 525 00:29:45,413 --> 00:29:48,689 Before it crashes to the ground. 526 00:29:48,724 --> 00:29:50,413 People escaping must wait 527 00:29:50,448 --> 00:29:53,034 For exactly the right moment To jump. 528 00:30:06,758 --> 00:30:10,000 [ indistinct shouting ] 529 00:30:15,931 --> 00:30:20,965 But not all passengers are In the lounges during landing. 530 00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:26,000 Many are in their cabins Preparing to disembark. 531 00:30:26,034 --> 00:30:28,206 They face greater danger. 532 00:30:28,241 --> 00:30:30,965 ♪♪ 533 00:30:37,965 --> 00:30:40,586 The cabins' modern Minimalist design 534 00:30:40,620 --> 00:30:43,413 Lacks one crucial feature -- 535 00:30:43,448 --> 00:30:45,965 A window. 536 00:30:47,379 --> 00:30:50,275 All the cabins are situated In the center of the airship 537 00:30:50,310 --> 00:30:54,000 With no views to the outside. 538 00:30:54,034 --> 00:30:55,655 Passengers in their cabins 539 00:30:55,689 --> 00:30:59,793 Are unaware of the disaster Unfolding around them. 540 00:31:12,241 --> 00:31:15,896 It takes just 32 seconds from The first flames being spotted 541 00:31:15,931 --> 00:31:18,379 To the giant airship Hitting the ground. 542 00:31:18,413 --> 00:31:20,931 [ indistinct shouting ] 543 00:31:20,965 --> 00:31:26,137 Passengers still in their cabins Have no time to escape. 544 00:31:31,862 --> 00:31:35,689 No one in their cabin Survives the disaster. 545 00:31:36,931 --> 00:31:40,137 23 passengers do escape. 546 00:31:40,172 --> 00:31:43,689 Every one of them Are in the lounges. 547 00:31:43,724 --> 00:31:46,862 However, the crew are spread Throughout the airship, 548 00:31:49,448 --> 00:31:51,724 14 of the 61 crew onboard 549 00:31:51,758 --> 00:31:55,517 Are killed almost instantly In the fire. 550 00:31:55,551 --> 00:31:58,137 The rest have a chance To make their escape. 551 00:32:02,482 --> 00:32:06,448 ♪♪ 552 00:32:06,482 --> 00:32:08,103 At the time of the disaster, 553 00:32:08,137 --> 00:32:10,034 The captain is overseeing The landing 554 00:32:10,068 --> 00:32:13,034 From the hindenburg control car. 555 00:32:19,724 --> 00:32:21,689 The control car is far away 556 00:32:21,724 --> 00:32:24,620 From the start of the fire At the tail. 557 00:32:24,655 --> 00:32:27,068 The captain and 11 of the crew Here escape 558 00:32:27,103 --> 00:32:30,758 When the airship crashes To the ground. 559 00:32:42,724 --> 00:32:46,103 ♪♪ 560 00:32:46,137 --> 00:32:48,586 But this is not the end Of their ordeal. 561 00:32:48,620 --> 00:32:51,310 ♪♪ 562 00:32:51,344 --> 00:32:53,482 Now on the ground, They must find their way 563 00:32:53,517 --> 00:32:55,413 Through the burning wreckage. 564 00:33:08,448 --> 00:33:10,586 Two of the crew In the control car die 565 00:33:10,620 --> 00:33:13,000 Trying to escape. 566 00:33:13,034 --> 00:33:14,724 The captain survives, 567 00:33:14,758 --> 00:33:17,551 But is severely burnt Fleeing the wreckage. 568 00:33:18,758 --> 00:33:21,000 Other members of the crew Are luckier. 569 00:33:21,034 --> 00:33:25,172 ♪♪ 570 00:33:25,206 --> 00:33:29,206 The engine cars are far away From where the fire starts, 571 00:33:29,241 --> 00:33:31,965 And 9 of the 11 crew there Escape. 572 00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:34,965 ♪♪ 573 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:38,137 With the tail virtually Touching the ground, 574 00:33:38,172 --> 00:33:42,655 All four crew in the rear also Walk away virtually unscathed. 575 00:33:45,862 --> 00:33:51,965 In total, 39 of the 61 crew Survived the disaster. 576 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:54,931 But could the entire Catastrophe have been averted? 577 00:33:57,034 --> 00:33:58,862 What can the captain Do differently 578 00:33:58,896 --> 00:34:00,793 To stop the disaster? 579 00:34:11,034 --> 00:34:15,586 Narrator: lakehurst, new jersey, May 1937. 580 00:34:15,620 --> 00:34:19,965 The wreckage of the hindenburg Lies scattered on the airfield. 581 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:22,206 35 people are dead. 582 00:34:22,241 --> 00:34:24,827 ♪♪ 583 00:34:24,862 --> 00:34:26,517 Can the captain of the airship 584 00:34:26,551 --> 00:34:28,724 Do anything to stop The disaster? 585 00:34:28,758 --> 00:34:32,758 ♪♪ 586 00:34:32,793 --> 00:34:36,034 Mats backlin is A retired airship pilot. 587 00:34:37,931 --> 00:34:40,413 Mats programs This state-of-the-art simulator 588 00:34:40,448 --> 00:34:42,586 To exactly replicate The conditions 589 00:34:42,620 --> 00:34:45,241 On the day of the disaster. 590 00:34:45,275 --> 00:34:47,310 In the search for clues, 591 00:34:47,344 --> 00:34:50,689 He's re-created the hindenburg's Precise flight path. 592 00:34:50,724 --> 00:34:54,379 ♪♪ 593 00:34:54,413 --> 00:34:58,103 Backlin: There are major differences Between airships and planes, 594 00:34:58,137 --> 00:35:03,517 But the trickiest part Of any operation is the landing. 595 00:35:03,551 --> 00:35:05,000 The ground can be Very unforgiving 596 00:35:05,034 --> 00:35:08,586 If you hit it the wrong way. 597 00:35:08,620 --> 00:35:12,931 Narrator: the hindenburg is Flying through a thunderstorm. 598 00:35:12,965 --> 00:35:17,655 It charges the airship With lethal electricity. 599 00:35:17,689 --> 00:35:22,034 And puts it hours Behind schedule. 600 00:35:22,068 --> 00:35:24,758 The captain decides To land fast. 601 00:35:24,793 --> 00:35:26,793 He uses a quick And efficient method 602 00:35:26,827 --> 00:35:29,586 Called a flying moor. 603 00:35:29,620 --> 00:35:31,689 In a flying moor, 604 00:35:31,724 --> 00:35:34,551 The hindenburg drops Its ropes at a high altitude 605 00:35:34,586 --> 00:35:36,655 And is winched to the ground. 606 00:35:36,689 --> 00:35:38,689 But only the airship's frame 607 00:35:38,724 --> 00:35:41,137 Is safely discharged Of electricity. 608 00:35:41,172 --> 00:35:44,689 While it's 200 feet in the air, The height of the airship 609 00:35:44,724 --> 00:35:47,689 Increases the electrical charge Of the skin, 610 00:35:47,724 --> 00:35:51,758 Causing the catastrophic spark. 611 00:35:51,793 --> 00:35:54,551 The captain's choice to land Using a flying moor 612 00:35:54,586 --> 00:35:57,758 Is the catalyst For the disaster. 613 00:35:57,793 --> 00:36:00,517 Mats thinks there's A safer way to land. 614 00:36:00,551 --> 00:36:05,689 We're going to try The approach at a lower level, 615 00:36:05,724 --> 00:36:09,482 Narrator: airships can also land Like conventional aircraft, 616 00:36:09,517 --> 00:36:11,862 Slowly reducing speed And altitude 617 00:36:11,896 --> 00:36:14,103 Until coming to rest On the ground. 618 00:36:14,137 --> 00:36:18,931 ♪♪ 619 00:36:18,965 --> 00:36:24,758 A low landing is much slower And harder for a pilot to do, 620 00:36:24,793 --> 00:36:28,827 But it dramatically reduces The risk of a disastrous spark. 621 00:36:28,862 --> 00:36:31,241 [ thunder crashes ] 622 00:36:31,275 --> 00:36:33,931 Mats attempts to land Like an aircraft 623 00:36:33,965 --> 00:36:37,310 To see if the captain can do it And avert the catastrophe. 624 00:36:37,344 --> 00:36:40,068 ♪♪ 625 00:36:40,103 --> 00:36:43,137 Backlin: The flight crew has more tasks, 626 00:36:43,172 --> 00:36:44,965 More conditions to deal with. 627 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:49,206 If you're very low, you can Easily post the tail 628 00:36:49,241 --> 00:36:52,586 To strike a tree Or even the ground. 629 00:36:52,620 --> 00:36:54,655 Narrator: mats approaches Lakehurst airfield 630 00:36:54,689 --> 00:36:57,275 And begins the critical stage Of the landing. 631 00:36:57,310 --> 00:37:00,034 ♪♪ 632 00:37:00,068 --> 00:37:04,551 Backlin: we're coming into The final approach. 633 00:37:04,586 --> 00:37:08,965 Try to avoid hitting pine tree On the right here. 634 00:37:09,000 --> 00:37:10,551 Narrator: Mats safely brings down 635 00:37:10,586 --> 00:37:14,896 The massive airship Onto the airfield. 636 00:37:14,931 --> 00:37:18,862 We're now going to be Settling down to the ground. 637 00:37:23,724 --> 00:37:28,517 Narrator: Mats' new experiment proves The disaster is not inevitable. 638 00:37:28,551 --> 00:37:32,137 The captain could have chosen The slower but safer option. 639 00:37:32,172 --> 00:37:36,172 ♪♪ 640 00:37:36,206 --> 00:37:38,896 The hindenburg disaster Is seen around the globe 641 00:37:38,931 --> 00:37:42,827 And shocks the entire world. 642 00:37:42,862 --> 00:37:46,620 The catastrophe brings an Abrupt end to the airship era. 643 00:37:46,655 --> 00:37:48,896 ♪♪ 644 00:37:48,931 --> 00:37:52,034 Astonishingly, Dr. Praskovia milova believes 645 00:37:52,068 --> 00:37:55,551 That despite the tragedy, Hydrogen-filled airships 646 00:37:55,586 --> 00:37:59,517 Could grace our skies Once again. 647 00:37:59,551 --> 00:38:01,620 Hydrogen's amazing Lifting power 648 00:38:01,655 --> 00:38:04,379 Means it could be the perfect Green alternative 649 00:38:04,413 --> 00:38:06,827 For moving cargo. 650 00:38:06,862 --> 00:38:09,965 Praskovia and her team Are building a brand-new airship 651 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:14,310 They hope will avoid The mistakes of the past. 652 00:38:14,344 --> 00:38:18,689 We've spent so much time by now Designing and researching 653 00:38:18,724 --> 00:38:21,931 All the components Of the airship model 654 00:38:21,965 --> 00:38:25,000 Due to the disasters That happened in the past 655 00:38:25,034 --> 00:38:28,448 With the hydrogen airships. 656 00:38:28,482 --> 00:38:31,068 Narrator: they develop a 50-foot Prototype model 657 00:38:31,103 --> 00:38:34,137 To test their technology. 658 00:38:34,172 --> 00:38:36,655 The airship is built From carbon-fiber tubes 659 00:38:36,689 --> 00:38:39,517 That are corrosion resistant. 660 00:38:39,551 --> 00:38:41,103 We are using carbon tubes, 661 00:38:41,137 --> 00:38:44,551 Which are light, Which are strong, 662 00:38:44,586 --> 00:38:46,931 And they are also Electrically conductive, 663 00:38:46,965 --> 00:38:51,103 Which is very important For a hydrogen airship, 664 00:38:51,137 --> 00:38:53,482 Narrator: Praskovia needs to test 665 00:38:53,517 --> 00:38:56,379 The most critical component Of her design -- 666 00:38:56,413 --> 00:39:00,689 The material that makes up The hydrogen gasbags. 667 00:39:00,724 --> 00:39:02,896 She's discovered A brand-new fabric 668 00:39:02,931 --> 00:39:07,172 She thinks will prevent Any possible leak. 669 00:39:07,206 --> 00:39:11,137 Milova: the solution is to have Two layers of plastic film 670 00:39:11,172 --> 00:39:16,034 For even more gas-tightness, Plus carbon fiber, 671 00:39:16,068 --> 00:39:21,034 Which is a synthetic material To make it even more strong. 672 00:39:21,068 --> 00:39:24,241 Narrator: praskovia tests Her new material. 673 00:39:24,275 --> 00:39:29,379 Will it be stronger than the Hindenburg's original fabrics? 674 00:39:29,413 --> 00:39:34,241 She's using a machine that will Test them to destruction. 675 00:39:34,275 --> 00:39:37,862 Basically pulls away Until the sample is broken, 676 00:39:37,896 --> 00:39:40,517 And then the force is measured. 677 00:39:40,551 --> 00:39:43,586 Lab technician inge desmet Loads the tension machine 678 00:39:43,620 --> 00:39:46,034 With the material used In the hindenburg 679 00:39:46,068 --> 00:39:47,724 And sets the test running. 680 00:39:47,758 --> 00:39:52,655 ♪♪ 681 00:39:52,689 --> 00:39:55,413 The force ramps up... 682 00:39:55,448 --> 00:39:57,586 And rips apart the cotton. 683 00:40:00,758 --> 00:40:07,310 It gives us around 200 newtons Of force to break it. 684 00:40:07,344 --> 00:40:11,172 Narrator: Praskovia runs the same test On her brand-new material. 685 00:40:11,206 --> 00:40:16,793 ♪♪ 686 00:40:16,827 --> 00:40:20,724 It doesn't rip Until 700 newtons. 687 00:40:20,758 --> 00:40:24,793 Her modern fabric Is much stronger. 688 00:40:24,827 --> 00:40:27,965 Compare it to the cotton-based Material 689 00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:29,689 Used in hindenburg, 690 00:40:29,724 --> 00:40:33,896 This is 3.5 times more strong. 691 00:40:33,931 --> 00:40:36,413 Narrator: praskovia is confident She's found a material 692 00:40:36,448 --> 00:40:38,655 To safely contain hydrogen... 693 00:40:38,689 --> 00:40:41,586 ♪♪ 694 00:40:41,620 --> 00:40:43,551 ...And our skies Could soon be filled 695 00:40:43,586 --> 00:40:47,137 By a fleet of brand-new Hydrogen airships. 696 00:40:47,172 --> 00:40:51,655 ♪♪ 697 00:40:51,689 --> 00:40:53,241 The crash of the hindenburg 698 00:40:53,275 --> 00:40:58,482 Is one of the most spectacular Aviation disasters in history. 699 00:40:58,517 --> 00:41:01,689 Modern investigations reveal A punctured hydrogen bag 700 00:41:01,724 --> 00:41:04,413 Creates an explosive gas 701 00:41:04,448 --> 00:41:07,206 And a spark of electricity That ignites it. 702 00:41:07,241 --> 00:41:11,241 ♪♪ 703 00:41:11,275 --> 00:41:14,862 35 people die In the catastrophic fire. 704 00:41:14,896 --> 00:41:18,241 ♪♪ 705 00:41:18,275 --> 00:41:20,724 But new discoveries From the tragedy 706 00:41:20,758 --> 00:41:25,413 May mean a new age Of hydrogen airships is dawning. 707 00:41:25,448 --> 00:41:32,137 ♪♪ 708 00:41:32,172 --> 00:41:38,827 ♪♪ 709 00:41:38,862 --> 00:41:45,551 ♪♪ 710 00:41:45,586 --> 00:41:52,241 ♪♪ 711 00:41:52,275 --> 00:41:59,000 ♪♪ 54298

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