1 00:00:06,039 --> 00:00:10,209 Narrator: THERE ARE GLOBAL PHENOMENA THAT SCIENCE CANNOT EXPLAIN -- 2 00:00:10,209 --> 00:00:14,379 TRUE STORIES THAT DEFY RATIONAL EXPLANATION. 3 00:00:14,380 --> 00:00:17,249 IN THE HEAVILY TRAFFICKED SKIES OF MEXICO CITY, 4 00:00:17,249 --> 00:00:21,354 A PILOT ENCOUNTERS A TRIO OF UNIDENTIFIED CRAFTS. 5 00:00:22,388 --> 00:00:25,625 FIRST, THEY TAKE CONTROL OF HIS PLANE 6 00:00:25,625 --> 00:00:27,926 THEN RAM IT HEAD-ON. 7 00:00:27,926 --> 00:00:31,029 CAN HE WARN THOSE ON THE GROUND OF IMPENDING DANGER, 8 00:00:31,030 --> 00:00:33,766 OR WILL HE CRASH TRYING? 9 00:00:33,766 --> 00:00:35,068 DE LOS SANTOS: Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! 10 00:00:36,736 --> 00:00:38,571 Narrator: IN THE UNITED STATES, 11 00:00:38,571 --> 00:00:41,341 A MAN MYSTERIOUSLY BURNS TO A CINDER... 12 00:00:41,341 --> 00:00:44,143 THIS FIRE ORIGINATED AND STOPPED AT THE BODY. 13 00:00:44,143 --> 00:00:48,314 ...WHILE OTHERS SUDDENLY FIND THEMSELVES ENGULFED IN FLAME. 14 00:00:48,314 --> 00:00:51,117 THE DOCTOR SAID THIS BURNED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. 15 00:00:51,117 --> 00:00:52,985 Narrator: A SERIES OF CARELESS MISHAPS? 16 00:00:52,985 --> 00:00:55,855 OR IS THERE A CULPRIT DEEP WITHIN THE HUMAN BODY, 17 00:00:55,855 --> 00:00:58,992 A TICKING TIME BOMB READY TO EXPLODE? 18 00:00:58,992 --> 00:01:02,128 IF YOU LET A SPARK OFF, IT CAN ALMOST EXPLODE IN YOUR FACE. 19 00:01:02,128 --> 00:01:04,930 I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IN THE FUTURE 20 00:01:04,930 --> 00:01:07,133 THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. 21 00:01:09,335 --> 00:01:12,672 Narrator: NEW INVESTIGATIONS QUESTION UNEXPLAINED HAPPENINGS 22 00:01:12,672 --> 00:01:14,073 AND OTHERWORLDLY EVENTS. 23 00:01:14,073 --> 00:01:16,408 Woman: WHAT IS TH-- OH, MAN! 24 00:01:16,409 --> 00:01:18,311 IT'S HOVERING! IT'S NOT AN AIRCRAFT! 25 00:01:18,311 --> 00:01:20,980 Narrator: FIRSTHAND TESTIMONY AND FRESH EVIDENCE 26 00:01:20,980 --> 00:01:22,548 BUILD NEW POSSIBILITIES. 27 00:01:22,548 --> 00:01:24,450 Man: NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN MY LIFE. 28 00:01:24,450 --> 00:01:26,252 AND IT JUST DISAPPEARED INTO THIN AIR. 29 00:01:26,252 --> 00:01:28,253 IT WASN'T FROM THIS PLANET. 30 00:01:28,254 --> 00:01:30,223 MY ARMS WERE JUST ON FIRE. 31 00:01:30,223 --> 00:01:33,459 Narrator: RETHINK EVERYTHING YOU THINK YOU KNOW. 32 00:01:33,459 --> 00:01:36,462 -- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com 33 00:01:36,462 --> 00:01:39,466 CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS 34 00:01:43,703 --> 00:01:45,938 MEXICO CITY. 35 00:01:45,938 --> 00:01:48,641 ALMOST 9 MILLION PEOPLE CALL THIS PLACE HOME, 36 00:01:48,641 --> 00:01:50,042 AND EVERY DAY, 37 00:01:50,042 --> 00:01:53,479 MORE THAN 100,000 PLANES TAKE OFF AND LAND. 38 00:01:53,479 --> 00:01:57,283 BUT FEW FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN AS UNFORGETTABLE AND AS MYSTERIOUS 39 00:01:57,283 --> 00:02:00,820 AS THAT OF PILOT CARLOS DE LOS SANTOS. 40 00:02:00,820 --> 00:02:04,190 HIS DRAMATIC ENCOUNTER HAS BAFFLED AVIATION EXPERTS 41 00:02:04,190 --> 00:02:05,991 FOR OVER A QUARTER-CENTURY. 42 00:02:05,991 --> 00:02:09,627 WHAT DID CARLOS SEE THAT DAY THAT ALMOST CAUSED HIM TO CRASH? 43 00:02:09,627 --> 00:02:11,563 DID A TRIO OF ALIEN CRAFTS 44 00:02:11,563 --> 00:02:15,268 TAKE CONTROL OF HIS PLANE FOR 18 TERRIFYING MINUTES? 45 00:02:28,414 --> 00:02:31,049 IT'S A... 46 00:02:31,050 --> 00:02:33,887 VERY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE FOR ME. 47 00:02:33,887 --> 00:02:36,256 Man: YES, I'M SURE. I'M SURE IT IS. 48 00:02:37,757 --> 00:02:40,726 MAY 3, 1975. 49 00:02:40,726 --> 00:02:42,461 PILOT CARLOS DE LOS SANTOS 50 00:02:42,461 --> 00:02:44,530 HAS JUST FLOWN A GROUP OF ENGINEERS 51 00:02:44,530 --> 00:02:48,234 TO A TINY CITY ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST. 52 00:02:50,469 --> 00:02:53,405 BEFORE TAKING OFF ON HIS RETURN FLIGHT BACK, 53 00:02:53,405 --> 00:02:56,074 HE SAFETY-CHECKS HIS PIPER COMANCHE PLANE. 54 00:02:56,074 --> 00:02:58,745 [ ENGINE TURNS OVER ] 55 00:03:10,056 --> 00:03:13,927 THE FIRST 40 MILES UNFOLD WITHOUT INCIDENT. 56 00:03:19,531 --> 00:03:22,735 Interpreter: THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE VERY GOOD. 57 00:03:22,735 --> 00:03:25,238 THE PLANE WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. 58 00:03:27,406 --> 00:03:30,109 Narrator: BUT AS CARLOS CRUISES OVER THE CLOUDS, 59 00:03:30,109 --> 00:03:33,212 AN UNEASY FEELING ENVELOPS HIM. 60 00:03:33,212 --> 00:03:34,747 IS HE BEING WATCHED? 61 00:03:39,185 --> 00:03:41,020 Interpreter: EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL, 62 00:03:41,020 --> 00:03:44,224 BUT I FELT I WAS BEING OBSERVED, SO I TURNED. 63 00:03:45,891 --> 00:03:49,028 I DISCOVERED THAT ON THE TOP OF THE WING, 64 00:03:49,028 --> 00:03:50,997 THERE WAS AN OBJECT HEADING TOWARDS ME. 65 00:03:56,102 --> 00:03:59,705 I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, "DEAR LORD, WHAT IS THIS I'M SEEING? 66 00:03:59,705 --> 00:04:01,140 IT'S RIGHT THERE." 67 00:04:04,276 --> 00:04:07,614 IN A MATTER OF THREE TO FOUR SECONDS, 68 00:04:07,614 --> 00:04:10,716 I EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME FEELING I HAD ON THE LEFT SIDE 69 00:04:10,716 --> 00:04:12,785 NOW ON MY RIGHT SIDE. 70 00:04:12,785 --> 00:04:15,154 IT WAS A SECOND OBJECT. 71 00:04:17,389 --> 00:04:19,158 NOW I'M GETTING REALLY NERVOUS. 72 00:04:22,395 --> 00:04:25,631 Narrator: ACCORDING TO CARLOS, TWO GRAY OBJECTS, 73 00:04:25,631 --> 00:04:28,167 EACH ABOUT 13 FEET IN DIAMETER 74 00:04:28,167 --> 00:04:30,202 WITH A SMALL COCKPIT OR WINDSHIELD, 75 00:04:30,202 --> 00:04:31,637 ARE FLANKING HIS AIRCRAFT. 76 00:04:31,637 --> 00:04:33,005 Interpreter: "WHAT ON EARTH IS THIS?" 77 00:04:33,005 --> 00:04:35,241 Narrator: FOUR SECONDS LATER, 78 00:04:35,241 --> 00:04:38,010 A THIRD OBJECT APPEARS IN FRONT OF THE PLANE, 79 00:04:38,011 --> 00:04:40,446 HEADING STRAIGHT FOR CARLOS. 80 00:04:42,181 --> 00:04:44,282 Interpreter: NOW I'M REALLY SCARED 81 00:04:44,283 --> 00:04:46,686 THAT IT WAS GOING TO HIT THE AIRPLANE. 82 00:04:46,686 --> 00:04:48,221 I ATTEMPTED TO DODGE IT 83 00:04:48,221 --> 00:04:51,857 BY PUSHING THE CONTROL WHEEL FORWARD. 84 00:04:51,857 --> 00:04:54,660 Narrator: BUT THE CONTROL WHEEL WON'T ENGAGE. 85 00:04:54,660 --> 00:04:55,995 CARLOS IS TERRIFIED. 86 00:04:55,995 --> 00:04:59,565 WHO OR WHAT IS OVERRIDING HIS PLANE? 87 00:04:59,565 --> 00:05:02,802 AT THAT MOMENT, I HAD LOST ALL CONTROL OVER THE AIRCRAFT. 88 00:05:05,505 --> 00:05:08,174 THE THIRD OBJECT MANAGED TO AVOID THE PROPELLER 89 00:05:08,174 --> 00:05:12,378 AND DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE COCKPIT. 90 00:05:12,378 --> 00:05:15,881 I HEARD A TERRIFYING BLOW. 91 00:05:15,881 --> 00:05:19,518 Narrator: THE OBJECT SEEMS TO HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF HIS PLANE, 92 00:05:19,518 --> 00:05:21,921 BUT CARLOS IS UNABLE TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE. 93 00:05:24,556 --> 00:05:27,659 THE AIRCRAFT IS NOW COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. 94 00:05:29,461 --> 00:05:33,333 Interpreter: I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON. 95 00:05:33,333 --> 00:05:36,502 THREE OBJECTS WERE FLYING AROUND ME. 96 00:05:41,207 --> 00:05:43,209 AT THAT POINT, I WAS TERRIFIED. 97 00:05:45,911 --> 00:05:48,614 I NEEDED TO CALL FOR HELP. 98 00:05:48,614 --> 00:05:51,150 Narrator: CARLOS MAKES AN EMERGENCY CALL 99 00:05:51,150 --> 00:05:53,152 TO MEXICO CITY AIRPORT. 100 00:05:53,152 --> 00:05:55,421 THIS IS THE ACTUAL RECORDING OF THAT CALL, 101 00:05:55,421 --> 00:05:57,656 THE FIRST TIME IT HAS EVER BEEN BROADCAST 102 00:05:57,656 --> 00:05:59,525 ON AMERICAN TELEVISION. 103 00:06:12,771 --> 00:06:15,574 Interpreter: I WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED. 104 00:06:15,574 --> 00:06:17,743 BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, 105 00:06:17,743 --> 00:06:20,913 I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE AIRCRAFT. 106 00:06:25,952 --> 00:06:29,688 THREE UFOs ARE SURROUNDING THE PLANE. 107 00:06:29,688 --> 00:06:32,724 Interpreter: I'D NEVER RECEIVED A CALL LIKE THAT. 108 00:06:32,724 --> 00:06:35,728 WE HEARD A MAYDAY EMERGENCY CALL. 109 00:06:35,728 --> 00:06:39,832 THE VOICE WAS VERY STRESSED AND ALMOST SHOUTING. 110 00:06:42,868 --> 00:06:47,539 WE WERE ALL CONCERNED. THE CALL UNNERVED US ALL. 111 00:06:47,539 --> 00:06:51,409 Narrator: BEFORE CARLOS CAN FULLY EXPLAIN HIS SITUATION, 112 00:06:51,410 --> 00:06:55,281 THE PLANE STARTS TO DRAMATICALLY CHANGE COURSE. 113 00:06:55,281 --> 00:06:58,050 Interpreter: ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO ASCEND 114 00:06:58,050 --> 00:07:00,086 WITHOUT MY INPUT. 115 00:07:03,155 --> 00:07:05,823 Narrator: CARLOS CAN DO NOTHING BUT WATCH IN HORROR 116 00:07:05,824 --> 00:07:08,927 AS THE ALTITUDE METER RISES EVER HIGHER. 117 00:07:08,927 --> 00:07:15,334 Interpreter: 10,100. 10,200. 10,300. 10,400. 10,500. 118 00:07:15,334 --> 00:07:17,170 WHO KNOWS WHERE TO? 119 00:07:18,570 --> 00:07:23,242 WHO IS IT? WHO IS COMING? WHO ARE THEY? WHAT DO THEY WANT? 120 00:07:24,910 --> 00:07:28,313 Narrator: THE PLANE CREEPS PAST 15,000 FEET. 121 00:07:28,313 --> 00:07:30,750 CARLOS IS IN TROUBLE. 122 00:07:30,750 --> 00:07:35,053 HIS SMALL PLANE COULD EASILY STALL. 123 00:07:35,053 --> 00:07:38,223 Interpreter: I WAS ONLY AROUND 20 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME. 124 00:07:38,223 --> 00:07:40,092 AT THE TIME, I WAS THINKING ABOUT MYSELF, 125 00:07:40,092 --> 00:07:42,061 MY PARENTS, AND FAMILY. 126 00:07:42,061 --> 00:07:45,931 I WAS IN AN AWFUL STATE. 127 00:07:47,799 --> 00:07:50,536 I WAS A NERVOUS WRECK. 128 00:07:52,104 --> 00:07:55,440 THAT'S A PILOT'S WORST NIGHTMARE. 129 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:57,577 Narrator: BUT JUST AS CARLOS THINKS THE PLANE 130 00:07:57,577 --> 00:08:00,112 IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE SKY, 131 00:08:00,112 --> 00:08:05,251 THE STRANGE OBJECTS FLY OFF AS QUICKLY AS THEY ARRIVED. 132 00:08:06,752 --> 00:08:08,220 Interpreter: I TRIED TO TURN AND REALIZED 133 00:08:08,220 --> 00:08:10,189 I HAD REGAINED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. 134 00:08:12,758 --> 00:08:15,327 Narrator: CARLOS IMMEDIATELY STARTS TO LOWER HIS ALTITUDE 135 00:08:15,327 --> 00:08:20,699 AND HEADS TOWARD THE HAZE OF MEXICO CITY ON THE HORIZON. 136 00:08:20,699 --> 00:08:23,736 Interpreter: I WAS WORRIED THE OBJECTS WOULD COME BACK. 137 00:08:23,736 --> 00:08:26,337 I TRIED TO DESCEND AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. 138 00:08:26,338 --> 00:08:29,375 I WAS EAGER TO LAND. 139 00:08:29,375 --> 00:08:33,179 Narrator: BUT CARLOS' ORDEAL IS FAR FROM OVER. 140 00:08:34,380 --> 00:08:35,881 THE COCKPIT LIGHTS INDICATE 141 00:08:35,881 --> 00:08:40,620 THAT THE LANDING GEAR CANNOT BE LOCKED. 142 00:08:42,854 --> 00:08:44,824 Interpreter: WHEN THE THIRD OBJECT HAD STRUCK 143 00:08:44,824 --> 00:08:47,425 THE BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE, 144 00:08:47,426 --> 00:08:49,362 IT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE LANDING GEAR. 145 00:08:49,362 --> 00:08:50,996 Narrator: CARLOS NOW HAS NO CHOICE 146 00:08:50,996 --> 00:08:54,132 BUT TO KEEP DESCENDING 147 00:08:54,133 --> 00:08:57,837 AND PREPARE FOR A CRASH LANDING. 148 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,068 Narrator: IN THE SKIES OVER MEXICO CITY, 149 00:09:08,068 --> 00:09:10,569 TERRIFIED PILOT CARLOS DE LOS SANTOS 150 00:09:10,570 --> 00:09:12,172 FINDS HIMSELF SURROUNDED 151 00:09:12,172 --> 00:09:15,175 BY THREE UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS. 152 00:09:15,175 --> 00:09:18,111 AFTER APPARENTLY TAKING CONTROL OF HIS PLANE, 153 00:09:18,111 --> 00:09:21,148 THEY SUDDENLY FLY OFF. 154 00:09:21,148 --> 00:09:23,016 CARLOS REGAINS CONTROL OF HIS AIRCRAFT 155 00:09:23,016 --> 00:09:25,652 BUT, CRUCIALLY, NOT THE LANDING GEAR. 156 00:09:28,789 --> 00:09:31,024 Interpreter: THE THIRD OBJECT HIT THE BOTTOM OF THE PLANE. 157 00:09:31,024 --> 00:09:34,662 THE LANDING GEAR WAS DAMAGED. 158 00:09:34,662 --> 00:09:36,730 THE THREE GREEN L.E.D. LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING, 159 00:09:36,730 --> 00:09:38,966 WHICH INDICATED THE LANDING GEAR HAD BEEN DEPLOYED. 160 00:09:38,966 --> 00:09:41,969 HOWEVER, THIS DIDN'T MEAN IT WAS SECURE. 161 00:09:44,638 --> 00:09:47,675 Narrator: THE CONTROL TOWER PREPARES FOR A CRASH LANDING. 162 00:09:52,579 --> 00:09:55,081 Interpreter: THEY WERE VERY CONCERNED 163 00:09:55,081 --> 00:09:56,583 BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS THE RISK 164 00:09:56,583 --> 00:09:59,818 THAT IF YOU LAND WITHOUT THE LANDING GEAR DEPLOYED PROPERLY, 165 00:09:59,819 --> 00:10:03,156 IT MAY CAUSE A SPARK THAT WOULD IGNITE THE FUEL TANK 166 00:10:03,156 --> 00:10:05,759 AND BLOW UP THE PLANE. 167 00:10:05,759 --> 00:10:07,193 Narrator: AIR-TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS 168 00:10:07,194 --> 00:10:09,062 CANNOT RISK INJURING OTHERS, 169 00:10:09,062 --> 00:10:11,031 SO THEY TAKE DRASTIC MEASURES. 170 00:10:11,031 --> 00:10:15,969 MEXICO'S BUSIEST AIRPORT MUST BE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY. 171 00:10:15,969 --> 00:10:18,105 Interpreter: I WAS DESPERATE BY THEN. 172 00:10:18,105 --> 00:10:22,876 Narrator: CARLOS IS INSTRUCTED TO LAND AS SAFELY AS HE CAN, 173 00:10:22,876 --> 00:10:25,612 SO HE CHOOSES A GRASS STRIP BETWEEN THE RUNWAYS 174 00:10:25,612 --> 00:10:27,314 AWAY FROM OTHER TRAFFIC. 175 00:10:27,314 --> 00:10:31,450 Interpreter: MY ONLY CONCERN WAS TO LAND SAFELY. 176 00:10:31,451 --> 00:10:33,320 I WAS CRYING. 177 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:37,224 Narrator: BUT FOR REASONS THAT REMAIN A MYSTERY, 178 00:10:37,224 --> 00:10:39,760 THE LANDING GEAR SUDDENLY STARTS TO WORK AGAIN. 179 00:10:47,467 --> 00:10:50,203 Interpreter: I OPENED THE DOOR, LEFT THE ENGINE ON, 180 00:10:50,203 --> 00:10:53,207 AND RUSHED OFF THE PLANE. 181 00:10:54,441 --> 00:10:57,911 THE PLANE IS OKAY. YOU ARE OKAY. 182 00:10:57,911 --> 00:10:59,947 EVERYTHING IS OKAY. 183 00:11:07,888 --> 00:11:10,724 Narrator: ONCE CARLOS' STORY ABOUT THE THREE UFOs 184 00:11:10,724 --> 00:11:12,993 MAKES IT WAY INTO THE NEWS, 185 00:11:12,993 --> 00:11:15,829 HE IS TAKEN TO THE AIRPORT'S AVIATION SERVICES CENTER 186 00:11:15,829 --> 00:11:19,065 FOR ASSESSMENT. 187 00:11:19,065 --> 00:11:21,969 Interpreter: WE ARRIVED AT THE AVIATION SERVICES. 188 00:11:21,969 --> 00:11:23,337 THEY STARTED QUESTIONING ME. 189 00:11:23,337 --> 00:11:25,804 "WHAT HAPPENED?" HOW AM I FEELING? 190 00:11:25,805 --> 00:11:27,241 [ MONITOR BEEPING ] 191 00:11:27,241 --> 00:11:32,346 THEY THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE BEEN DRUNK, DRUGGED, OR STARVING. 192 00:11:32,346 --> 00:11:34,248 [ INHALES DEEPLY ] 193 00:11:35,516 --> 00:11:40,054 Narrator: CONDUCTING THE EXAMINATION IS DR. LUIS AMEZCUA. 194 00:11:43,023 --> 00:11:45,224 Interpreter: WE DID A COMPLETE CHECKUP, 195 00:11:45,224 --> 00:11:47,327 AS WAS USUAL WITH PILOTS. 196 00:11:47,327 --> 00:11:51,832 WE DID AN AUDIO TEST, CHECKED HIS VISION, CARDIOGRAM. 197 00:11:51,832 --> 00:11:53,967 Narrator: BLOOD TESTS REVEAL THAT CARLOS 198 00:11:53,967 --> 00:11:58,170 IS NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS. 199 00:11:58,171 --> 00:12:01,874 ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT COULD EXPLAIN WHAT CARLOS SAW 200 00:12:01,874 --> 00:12:04,510 IS OXYGEN DEFICIENCY. 201 00:12:04,510 --> 00:12:06,446 THIS LEAVES NO TRACE. 202 00:12:06,446 --> 00:12:08,916 CLINICALLY REFERRED TO AS HYPOXIA, 203 00:12:08,916 --> 00:12:11,718 SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE HALLUCINATIONS. 204 00:12:11,718 --> 00:12:14,621 HYPOXIA CAN BE CAUSED BY HIGH ALTITUDES. 205 00:12:14,621 --> 00:12:18,659 DID THE RAPID ASCENT CAUSE CARLOS TO SEE THINGS? 206 00:12:21,928 --> 00:12:26,700 Interpreter: THERE ARE FOUR STAGES TO HYPOXIA. 207 00:12:26,700 --> 00:12:30,471 THE FIRST ONE PRESENTS ITSELF UP TO 10,000 FEET. 208 00:12:30,471 --> 00:12:32,871 AT THIS STAGE, THE HEALTHY INDIVIDUAL 209 00:12:32,872 --> 00:12:35,775 WILL FEEL NO SYMPTOMS. 210 00:12:35,775 --> 00:12:41,180 THE SECOND STAGE OCCURS BETWEEN 12,000 AND 15,000 FEET. 211 00:12:43,383 --> 00:12:45,718 THAT'S WHEN THE BODY STARTS TO BECOME AWARE 212 00:12:45,718 --> 00:12:48,388 OF THE LACK OF OXYGEN. 213 00:12:48,388 --> 00:12:52,492 BREATHING BECOMES FASTER, AND HYPERVENTILATION BEGINS. 214 00:12:53,693 --> 00:12:56,596 Narrator: BUT CARLOS CLAIMS HE FIRST SAW THE OBJECTS 215 00:12:56,596 --> 00:13:00,567 BEFORE THE CLIMB, AT 10,000 FEET, 216 00:13:00,567 --> 00:13:04,571 WELL BELOW THE ALTITUDE THAT WOULD TRIGGER HALLUCINATIONS. 217 00:13:16,716 --> 00:13:20,287 CARLOS' MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS RULE OUT DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, 218 00:13:20,287 --> 00:13:23,791 AND HALLUCINATIONS WERE UNLIKELY. 219 00:13:25,859 --> 00:13:27,393 DR. RICHARD HAINES 220 00:13:27,393 --> 00:13:30,631 WAS A RESEARCH SCIENTIST AT NASA FOR 20 YEARS 221 00:13:30,631 --> 00:13:33,165 AND IS NOW CHIEF SCIENTIST AT NARCAP, 222 00:13:33,166 --> 00:13:37,571 THE NATIONAL AVIATION REPORTING CENTER FOR ANOMALOUS PHENOMENA. 223 00:13:40,106 --> 00:13:42,109 DR. HAINES SOON DISCOVERS 224 00:13:42,109 --> 00:13:44,478 THAT CARLOS IS NOT THE ONLY EYEWITNESS 225 00:13:44,478 --> 00:13:46,412 TO THE DAY'S STRANGE EVENTS. 226 00:13:46,412 --> 00:13:49,716 JULIO DIAZ HAD HIS EYES FIXED ON THE RADAR SCREEN 227 00:13:49,716 --> 00:13:52,386 DURING HIS CONVERSATION WITH CARLOS. 228 00:13:52,386 --> 00:13:54,820 Interpreter: IN 26 YEARS OF WORK, 229 00:13:54,821 --> 00:13:57,457 I'VE NEVER HAD ANOTHER EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS. 230 00:13:57,457 --> 00:13:59,960 TO THIS DAY, 231 00:13:59,960 --> 00:14:03,530 IT WAS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE THAT I CANNOT EXPLAIN. 232 00:14:03,530 --> 00:14:06,732 Narrator: WHAT JULIO SEES DEEPENS THE MYSTERY 233 00:14:06,733 --> 00:14:11,138 AROUND CARLOS' ENCOUNTER IN THE SKIES OVER MEXICO CITY. 234 00:14:11,138 --> 00:14:13,039 THERE WAS NO DOUBT 235 00:14:13,039 --> 00:14:15,909 THERE WAS ANOTHER OBJECT FLYING IN THAT AREA. 236 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:23,235 Narrator: PILOT CARLOS DE LOS SANTOS 237 00:14:23,235 --> 00:14:26,672 CLAIMS HE ENCOUNTERS THREE MYSTERIOUS FLYING OBJECTS 238 00:14:26,672 --> 00:14:30,108 AS HE FLIES A SMALL PLANE TO MEXICO CITY. 239 00:14:30,108 --> 00:14:33,412 BUT WITHOUT EVIDENCE, IT'S EASY TO DISMISS HIS STORY 240 00:14:33,412 --> 00:14:35,915 AS THE IMAGININGS OF AN OVERSTRESSED AVIATOR. 241 00:14:35,915 --> 00:14:39,919 JULIO DIAZ WAS THE AIR-TRAFFIC CONTROLLER ON DUTY THAT DAY. 242 00:14:39,919 --> 00:14:43,689 UNTIL NOW, HE HAS REFUSED TO SPEAK PUBLICLY 243 00:14:43,689 --> 00:14:45,124 OF WHAT HE WITNESSED THAT DAY. 244 00:14:45,124 --> 00:14:47,960 Interpreter: I WAS SITTING AT THE RADAR TERMINAL 245 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:50,396 WHEN THE PILOT RADIOED. 246 00:14:50,396 --> 00:14:55,701 HE WAS LOCATED 48 MILES SOUTH OF MEXICO CITY AIRPORT, 247 00:14:55,701 --> 00:14:57,470 AND HE SAID HE HAD BEEN SURROUNDED 248 00:14:57,470 --> 00:15:00,005 BY SOME UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS. 249 00:15:05,978 --> 00:15:08,680 WHEN THE PLANE WAS ABOUT 15 MILES 250 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:12,117 FROM MEXICO CITY AIRPORT, 251 00:15:12,117 --> 00:15:16,923 WE SAW ANOTHER BLIP RIGHT NEXT TO THE PLANE. 252 00:15:18,591 --> 00:15:20,726 THERE WAS NO DOUBT 253 00:15:20,726 --> 00:15:25,231 THERE WAS ANOTHER OBJECT FLYING IN THAT AREA. 254 00:15:25,231 --> 00:15:27,133 Narrator: NO OTHER AIRPLANES ARE REGISTERED 255 00:15:27,133 --> 00:15:29,969 AS BEING IN CARLOS' FLIGHT PATH. 256 00:15:29,969 --> 00:15:31,737 DIAZ AND THE AIR-TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS 257 00:15:31,737 --> 00:15:33,439 REACH THE SAME CONCLUSION -- 258 00:15:33,439 --> 00:15:36,075 CARLOS IS TELLING THE TRUTH. 259 00:15:36,075 --> 00:15:39,845 Interpreter: WE FIGURED IT WAS THE UFOs THAT WERE BEING REPORTED. 260 00:15:39,845 --> 00:15:45,585 WE ALL BEGAN TO THINK OF THE POSSIBILITY IT WAS TRUE. 261 00:15:48,754 --> 00:15:50,956 THIS IS IMPORTANT TESTIMONY. 262 00:15:50,956 --> 00:15:53,392 AND, TO ME, IT'S PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT 263 00:15:53,392 --> 00:15:56,195 BECAUSE IT'S CONFIRMATION OF A PHYSICAL NATURE. 264 00:15:56,195 --> 00:15:58,230 IT'S RADAR CONFIRMATION. 265 00:15:58,230 --> 00:16:03,068 AND SO IT PROVIDES INDEPENDENT SUPPORT FOR CARLOS' STORY. 266 00:16:03,068 --> 00:16:05,203 Narrator: BUT JUST BECAUSE IT'S NOT REGISTERED 267 00:16:05,204 --> 00:16:07,039 DOESN'T MEAN IT'S FROM ANOTHER WORLD. 268 00:16:07,039 --> 00:16:10,710 COULD IT BE A MILITARY PLANE FLYING UNDER A VEIL OF SECRECY? 269 00:16:10,710 --> 00:16:13,512 WHILE IT'S POSSIBLE, JULIO DISMISSES THIS THEORY 270 00:16:13,512 --> 00:16:16,515 BASED ON THE CURIOUS WAY THE CRAFT MOVES. 271 00:16:16,515 --> 00:16:18,484 Interpreter: WHAT REALLY GOT OUR ATTENTION 272 00:16:18,484 --> 00:16:20,185 AND CONCERNED US EVEN MORE 273 00:16:20,185 --> 00:16:24,389 WAS THAT IT MADE A SHARP 270-DEGREE LEFT TURN 274 00:16:24,389 --> 00:16:27,459 IN A RADIUS OF ONLY 3 TO 4 MILES. 275 00:16:27,459 --> 00:16:30,496 Narrator: THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL MANEUVER FOR ANY AIRCRAFT 276 00:16:30,496 --> 00:16:33,299 AND ONE THAT NO KNOWN COMMERCIAL PLANE OF THE TIME 277 00:16:33,299 --> 00:16:34,900 COULD ACCOMPLISH. 278 00:16:34,900 --> 00:16:37,002 Interpreter: SOMETHING THAT'S NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE 279 00:16:37,002 --> 00:16:39,771 BY ME OR MY COLLEAGUES. 280 00:16:39,771 --> 00:16:43,342 Narrator: HAINES IS NOT YET WILLING TO DISMISS THE IDEA 281 00:16:43,342 --> 00:16:45,845 THAT THE CRAFTS ARE OF HUMAN ORIGIN. 282 00:16:45,845 --> 00:16:47,980 HE VISITS CARLOS TO GET MORE INFORMATION. 283 00:16:47,980 --> 00:16:50,382 WELL, WE'RE FACED WITH A REAL MYSTERY HERE. 284 00:16:50,382 --> 00:16:54,086 WHAT COULD THESE THREE OBJECTS HAVE BEEN? 285 00:16:54,086 --> 00:16:55,254 AND IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED 286 00:16:55,254 --> 00:16:57,690 THEY MIGHT BE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES. 287 00:16:57,690 --> 00:16:59,358 SOMETIMES THEY'RE CALLED DRONES. 288 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:04,229 THIS SKETCH THAT YOU MADE IN 1975 289 00:17:04,229 --> 00:17:07,633 SHOWS ME A LONG OVAL, YES? 290 00:17:07,633 --> 00:17:10,836 Narrator: INVESTIGATORS ALWAYS HAVE TO CONSIDER 291 00:17:10,836 --> 00:17:12,837 EXPERIMENTAL MILITARY AIRCRAFT 292 00:17:12,837 --> 00:17:16,274 BEFORE CATEGORIZING SOMETHING AS TRULY UNIDENTIFIED. 293 00:17:17,910 --> 00:17:20,680 A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THESE THINGS 294 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:23,449 ARE ACTUALLY CLASSIFIED MILITARY AIRCRAFT. 295 00:17:23,449 --> 00:17:26,252 FOR EXAMPLE, THE U.S. STEALTH BOMBER -- 296 00:17:26,251 --> 00:17:30,321 IF YOU'D SEEN THIS LARGE, BLACK, TRIANGULAR-SHAPED AIRCRAFT 297 00:17:30,322 --> 00:17:32,458 BEFORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE STEALTH BOMBER, 298 00:17:32,458 --> 00:17:35,061 YOU MIGHT THINK, "WOW. I'VE SEEN A UFO." 299 00:17:37,563 --> 00:17:39,565 Narrator: FROM CARLOS' EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT 300 00:17:39,565 --> 00:17:42,335 AND THE OBJECTS' UNIQUE AGILITY, 301 00:17:42,335 --> 00:17:46,171 DR. HAINES IS FORCED TO COME TO A CONTROVERSIAL CONCLUSION. 302 00:17:46,171 --> 00:17:49,475 THE OBJECTS CARLOS ENCOUNTERED ARE NOT MAN-MADE. 303 00:17:49,475 --> 00:17:52,478 WE DIDN'T HAVE DRONES IN 1975 304 00:17:52,478 --> 00:17:55,147 THAT HAD THAT KIND OF CAPABILITY 305 00:17:55,147 --> 00:17:58,783 OF VERY HIGH-SPEED, CONTROLLED TURNS, 306 00:17:58,784 --> 00:18:02,354 AND THE NAVIGATION AND GUIDANCE REQUIRED 307 00:18:02,354 --> 00:18:07,259 TO MAINTAIN A CLOSE POSITION NEAR ANOTHER AIRPLANE IN FLIGHT. 308 00:18:07,259 --> 00:18:10,628 THAT TAKES VERY HIGH COMPUTATIONAL POWER. 309 00:18:10,629 --> 00:18:13,398 Narrator: THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR REPORTS. 310 00:18:13,398 --> 00:18:18,404 CURIOUSLY, MANY OF THEM COME FROM LATIN AMERICA. 311 00:18:18,404 --> 00:18:21,140 ONE CONTENTIOUS THEORY ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAIN THIS, 312 00:18:21,140 --> 00:18:24,876 AND THE CLUE COMES FROM CARLOS' TESTIMONY. 313 00:18:24,876 --> 00:18:29,181 HE STATED THAT THE OBJECTS FLEW OFF TOWARD MOUNT POPOCATéPETL, 314 00:18:29,181 --> 00:18:31,950 AN ACTIVE VOLCANO SOUTHEAST OF THE CITY. 315 00:18:31,950 --> 00:18:34,352 IN RECENT YEARS, THIS MOUNTAIN HAS DEVELOPED 316 00:18:34,352 --> 00:18:36,989 A COLORFUL REPUTATION. 317 00:18:36,989 --> 00:18:40,993 UFO ENTHUSIASTS CARLOS GUZMAN AND ALFONSO SALAZAR 318 00:18:40,993 --> 00:18:42,727 HAVE NOTED STRANGE SIGHTINGS 319 00:18:42,728 --> 00:18:46,632 NEAR THIS VOLCANO FOR OVER 20 YEARS. 320 00:18:46,632 --> 00:18:49,601 ON MARCH 12, 2013, 321 00:18:49,601 --> 00:18:52,037 UFO WATCHERS CAPTURE ON VIDEO 322 00:18:52,037 --> 00:18:55,374 A MYSTERIOUS OBJECT COMING OUT OF IT. 323 00:18:55,374 --> 00:18:57,109 GUZMAN AND SALAZAR BELIEVE 324 00:18:57,109 --> 00:19:00,512 ALIENS USE THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCES ON OUR PLANET 325 00:19:00,512 --> 00:19:02,214 TO POWER THEIR SPACESHIPS. 326 00:19:02,214 --> 00:19:04,416 Interpreter: IT STANDS TO REASON 327 00:19:04,416 --> 00:19:07,485 THAT THESE UFOs WOULD TEND TO GO FOR VOLCANOES, 328 00:19:07,486 --> 00:19:12,291 WHERE A LOT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXISTS. 329 00:19:15,327 --> 00:19:18,730 THE TWO MEN ALSO ASSERT THAT MANY SOUTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS 330 00:19:18,730 --> 00:19:23,469 ARE ACTIVELY COLLECTING DATA ON UFO SIGHTINGS ALONG THE ANDES. 331 00:19:23,469 --> 00:19:26,037 THE BRAZILIAN UFOLOGIST A.J. GEVAERD 332 00:19:26,037 --> 00:19:29,842 BELIEVES THIS INFORMATION IS DELIBERATELY HIDDEN. 333 00:19:31,109 --> 00:19:34,980 MANY OF THE GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN AWARE 334 00:19:34,980 --> 00:19:38,017 OF THE UFO PHENOMENA FOR DECADES 335 00:19:38,017 --> 00:19:41,453 AND HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING DURING THIS TIME. 336 00:19:41,453 --> 00:19:45,224 ALL GOVERNMENTS IN THE WORLD ARE HIDING INFORMATION, 337 00:19:45,224 --> 00:19:48,260 SOMETHING THAT WE CANNOT EXPLAIN TO THE SOCIETY 338 00:19:48,260 --> 00:19:51,096 OR, WORSE, THAT WE CANNOT CONTROL. 339 00:19:51,096 --> 00:19:55,134 IT'S BETTER TO SAY THAT IT DOESN'T EXIST. 340 00:19:57,069 --> 00:20:01,239 Narrator: CAN THERE BE ANY TRUTH TO A MULTINATIONAL COVER-UP? 341 00:20:01,239 --> 00:20:05,244 ACCORDING TO CARLOS, THE ANSWER IS "YES." 342 00:20:06,545 --> 00:20:08,446 Interpreter: TWO WEEKS AFTER MY EXPERIENCE, 343 00:20:08,446 --> 00:20:12,350 I WAS OVERTAKEN BY A BLACK CAR. 344 00:20:12,350 --> 00:20:14,520 IT FORCED ME TO STOP. 345 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:16,589 [ TIRES SCREECH ] 346 00:20:16,589 --> 00:20:18,691 TWO PEOPLE GOT OUT FROM THE CAR. 347 00:20:18,691 --> 00:20:22,395 THEY WERE DRESSED IN BLACK. 348 00:20:24,030 --> 00:20:25,664 ONE OF THEM CAME UP AND SAID TO ME, 349 00:20:25,664 --> 00:20:28,000 IN A ROBOTIC VOICE, 350 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:31,369 "STOP TALKING ABOUT THIS. DON'T SAY ANYMORE." 351 00:20:31,370 --> 00:20:34,306 I GOT SCARED. 352 00:20:34,306 --> 00:20:36,308 I DIDN'T SAY A WORD. 353 00:20:36,308 --> 00:20:39,945 THEY WENT BACK TO THEIR CARS AND LEFT. 354 00:20:39,945 --> 00:20:41,847 [ TIRES SCREECH ] 355 00:20:41,847 --> 00:20:44,383 I WAS SCARED FOR MY FAMILY. 356 00:20:44,383 --> 00:20:46,451 I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE ANYMORE TO DO WITH IT. 357 00:20:46,451 --> 00:20:49,655 Narrator: CARLOS WAS SO TERRIFIED BY THESE THREATS 358 00:20:49,655 --> 00:20:52,724 THAT HE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE FOR OVER 30 YEARS. 359 00:20:52,725 --> 00:20:58,597 SO, WHAT DID HAPPEN TO HIM IN THE AIR THAT DAY IN MAY 1975? 360 00:20:58,597 --> 00:21:01,666 DOCTORS DISCOUNTED VARIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS, 361 00:21:01,666 --> 00:21:04,503 AND A HOAX HAS BEEN RULED OUT BY MANY. 362 00:21:04,503 --> 00:21:07,472 [ MONITOR BEEPING ] 363 00:21:07,472 --> 00:21:11,076 I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT CARLOS SAW WAS A HOAX. 364 00:21:11,076 --> 00:21:14,146 I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS A HALLUCINATION. 365 00:21:14,146 --> 00:21:16,248 AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS A DRONE. 366 00:21:16,248 --> 00:21:18,917 Narrator: RADAR SIGHTINGS BACK UP CARLOS' CLAIM 367 00:21:18,917 --> 00:21:21,420 THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING HOVERING NEAR HIS AIRCRAFT. 368 00:21:21,420 --> 00:21:24,557 Diaz's interpreter: SOMETHING LIKE IT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE 369 00:21:24,557 --> 00:21:27,125 BY MY COLLEAGUES OR MYSELF. 370 00:21:27,125 --> 00:21:29,928 Haines: SO, WHAT DOES THAT LEAVE US WITH? 371 00:21:29,928 --> 00:21:32,331 AN UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENON. 372 00:21:34,532 --> 00:21:36,535 Interpreter: AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, 373 00:21:36,535 --> 00:21:41,707 I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS. 374 00:21:44,877 --> 00:21:46,712 Interpreter: THERE IS A LOT OF EVIDENCE NOW 375 00:21:46,712 --> 00:21:50,648 THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM AND THE UNIVERSE. 376 00:21:50,649 --> 00:21:54,186 IN A WAY, IT WOULD BE SELFISH OF US 377 00:21:54,186 --> 00:21:58,123 TO THINK THAT WE ARE ALONE, THAT WE ARE THE ONLY ONES, 378 00:21:58,123 --> 00:22:00,859 AND THAT WE ARE THE ONLY INTELLIGENT LIFE 379 00:22:00,859 --> 00:22:02,027 IN THE UNIVERSE. 380 00:22:09,902 --> 00:22:11,804 Narrator: 1,400 MILES AWAY, 381 00:22:11,804 --> 00:22:14,974 AN ALARMING DEATH STARTLES INVESTIGATORS... 382 00:22:14,974 --> 00:22:17,676 THERE WAS NOTHING BURNT AROUND THE BODY. 383 00:22:17,676 --> 00:22:20,546 Narrator: ...WHILE ANOTHER MAN LIVES TO TELL A SIMILAR TALE. 384 00:22:20,546 --> 00:22:22,648 Baker: THE DOCTOR WAS COMPLETELY BAFFLED, 385 00:22:22,648 --> 00:22:25,317 AND HE SAID, "THIS BURNED FROM THE INSIDE OUT." 386 00:22:25,317 --> 00:22:29,722 Narrator: CAN SCIENCE FIND THE CAUSE BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN? 387 00:22:31,457 --> 00:22:35,794 IN THE AMERICAN MIDWEST, A MAN DIES IN A FLASH FIRE. 388 00:22:35,794 --> 00:22:39,565 ON AVERAGE, EIGHT PEOPLE BURN TO DEATH IN THE U.S. EVERY DAY, 389 00:22:39,565 --> 00:22:42,601 SO THE SITUATION IS NOT UNUSUAL... 390 00:22:42,601 --> 00:22:45,671 EXCEPT FOR ONE MYSTERIOUS DETAIL. 391 00:22:45,671 --> 00:22:48,239 WHY IS HE COMPLETELY REDUCED TO ASH, 392 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:52,177 BUT EVERYTHING AROUND HIM REMAINS UNTOUCHED? 393 00:22:52,177 --> 00:22:55,047 INVESTIGATORS RULE OUT HOMICIDE TODAY 394 00:22:55,047 --> 00:22:57,883 AFTER A BIZARRE DEATH IN SEQUOYAH COUNTY. 395 00:22:59,584 --> 00:23:01,585 INVESTIGATORS SAY OTHER PARTS OF THE HOUSE 396 00:23:01,586 --> 00:23:04,256 DIDN'T HAVE FIRE DAMAGE, 397 00:23:04,256 --> 00:23:06,792 AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF STRUGGLE. 398 00:23:06,792 --> 00:23:08,727 IT'S VERY UNUSUAL, AND IT'S BIZARRE, 399 00:23:08,727 --> 00:23:10,461 AND I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT. 400 00:23:10,462 --> 00:23:13,732 Narrator: THE FIRE IS RULED A MYSTERY, 401 00:23:13,732 --> 00:23:17,336 AND THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION ENDS. 402 00:23:17,336 --> 00:23:19,938 BUT LOCALS ARE NOT READY TO CLOSE THE BOOKS 403 00:23:19,938 --> 00:23:22,074 ON THIS CURIOUS CASE. 404 00:23:22,074 --> 00:23:25,911 THEY INVITE PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR LARRY ARNOLD 405 00:23:25,911 --> 00:23:28,046 TO COME TO SEQUOYAH COUNTY. 406 00:23:28,046 --> 00:23:31,182 ARNOLD LEADS AN ORGANIZATION CALLED ParaScience INTERNATIONAL 407 00:23:31,183 --> 00:23:33,385 AND HAS PUBLISHED BOOKS AND ARTICLES 408 00:23:33,385 --> 00:23:35,887 ON SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION. 409 00:23:35,887 --> 00:23:37,389 CAN HE UNCOVER THE ANSWER? 410 00:23:44,930 --> 00:23:47,097 WE'RE EAGER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CASE 411 00:23:47,098 --> 00:23:50,703 BECAUSE IT SOUNDS VERY FASCINATING, VERY MYSTERIOUS, 412 00:23:50,703 --> 00:23:53,205 AND PRESENTLY QUITE UNEXPLAINED. 413 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:02,136 Narrator: AFTER A MYSTERIOUS FIRE, 414 00:24:02,136 --> 00:24:04,070 PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR LARRY ARNOLD 415 00:24:04,070 --> 00:24:06,206 IS QUESTIONING WITNESSES. 416 00:24:06,206 --> 00:24:10,110 HE BEGINS BY INTERVIEWING THE LOCAL SHERIFF, RON LOCKHART. 417 00:24:12,912 --> 00:24:16,750 LOCKHART HAS INVESTIGATED ARSON CASES FOR OVER 20 YEARS. 418 00:24:18,218 --> 00:24:21,821 BUT HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. 419 00:24:21,821 --> 00:24:22,957 Lockhart: IT WAS OBVIOUS 420 00:24:22,957 --> 00:24:25,792 THAT SOMETHING BIZARRE HAD HAPPENED HERE. 421 00:24:25,792 --> 00:24:28,028 THAT WAS A VERY UNUSUAL FIRE SCENE. 422 00:24:28,028 --> 00:24:30,130 NORMALLY, YOU FIND BURNED BODIES 423 00:24:30,130 --> 00:24:32,364 IN A HOUSE THAT'S BASICALLY BURNED DOWN ON TOP OF THEM. 424 00:24:32,365 --> 00:24:35,368 AND NORMALLY, THEY'RE NOT AS DAMAGED 425 00:24:35,368 --> 00:24:37,838 AS BAD AS THIS BODY WAS DAMAGED. 426 00:24:39,740 --> 00:24:42,475 RICK RUSSELL IS THE LOCAL FIRE CHIEF. 427 00:24:42,475 --> 00:24:45,411 HE, TOO, IS BAFFLED. 428 00:24:45,412 --> 00:24:50,016 I ARRIVED ON SCENE AT 10:51 A.M. 429 00:24:50,016 --> 00:24:52,753 I NOTICED WHEN I PULLED UP 430 00:24:52,753 --> 00:24:54,655 WE ONLY HAD A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF SMOKE 431 00:24:54,655 --> 00:24:56,156 COMING FROM THE RESIDENCE, NO FLAME. 432 00:24:56,156 --> 00:24:57,691 [ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ] 433 00:24:57,691 --> 00:25:02,963 THE THING THAT REALLY SURPRISED ME WAS THE -- 434 00:25:04,832 --> 00:25:08,135 THERE WAS NOTHING BURNT AROUND THE BODY. 435 00:25:08,135 --> 00:25:12,672 THE REFRIGERATOR JUST INCHES FORM THE BODY, 436 00:25:12,672 --> 00:25:16,710 PLASTIC HANDLE ON THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR -- NO MELTING. 437 00:25:17,945 --> 00:25:22,683 PLASTIC HANDLE ON THE COOKING RANGE -- NO MELTING. 438 00:25:24,117 --> 00:25:27,587 TRASH BAG LAYING JUST INCHES FROM THE BODY -- 439 00:25:27,587 --> 00:25:29,523 IT WASN'T WRINKLED FROM HEAT. 440 00:25:30,457 --> 00:25:34,795 THIS FIRE ORIGINATED AND STOPPED AT THE BODY. 441 00:25:34,795 --> 00:25:38,231 [ CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING ] 442 00:25:41,101 --> 00:25:43,203 Narrator: FROM THE EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE, 443 00:25:43,203 --> 00:25:47,607 IT APPEARS THAT IT WAS THE BODY ALONE THAT WAS ON FIRE. 444 00:25:47,607 --> 00:25:51,578 RUSSELL CONCLUDES THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL SOURCE, 445 00:25:51,578 --> 00:25:54,581 SUCH AS AN EXPLOSION CAUSED BY GASOLINE. 446 00:25:54,581 --> 00:25:57,550 I WOULD RULE AGAINST A FLASHOVER TYPE 447 00:25:57,550 --> 00:26:00,988 BECAUSE I THINK WE WOULD HAVE HAD MORE EVIDENCE OF BURNING. 448 00:26:00,988 --> 00:26:03,756 THE CEILING AREA, 449 00:26:03,756 --> 00:26:05,592 EVEN THE STOVE AND THE REFRIGERATOR 450 00:26:05,592 --> 00:26:09,863 SHOULD HAVE SHOWN SIGNS IF WE HAD AN EXPLOSION-TYPE FIRE. 451 00:26:09,863 --> 00:26:13,100 EVERYONE WHO ATTENDS THE SCENE IS MYSTIFIED. 452 00:26:13,100 --> 00:26:16,002 HOW DID THIS MAN DIE SO BRUTALLY 453 00:26:16,002 --> 00:26:20,140 WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE IS INTACT? 454 00:26:20,140 --> 00:26:23,043 LARRY ARNOLD BELIEVES IT HAS THE HALLMARKS 455 00:26:23,043 --> 00:26:25,445 OF A HIGHLY DEBATABLE PHENOMENON -- 456 00:26:25,445 --> 00:26:28,148 SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION. 457 00:26:28,148 --> 00:26:29,750 IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY PHENOMENON. 458 00:26:29,750 --> 00:26:32,452 IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO INVESTIGATE. 459 00:26:32,452 --> 00:26:34,754 Lockhart: IT WAS BIZARRE BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT WAS MENTIONED, 460 00:26:34,754 --> 00:26:37,391 AS FAR AS THE EXPLANATION 461 00:26:37,391 --> 00:26:39,624 AND THE CHARACTERISTIC OF SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION, 462 00:26:39,625 --> 00:26:41,662 YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T RULE THAT OUT. 463 00:26:41,662 --> 00:26:44,998 Narrator: THE PHENOMENON HAS MYSTIFIED AND DIVIDED OPINION 464 00:26:44,998 --> 00:26:46,867 FOR OVER 300 YEARS. 465 00:26:46,867 --> 00:26:51,004 SO, IS IT BASED ON SCIENCE OR LEGEND? 466 00:26:51,004 --> 00:26:54,574 SINCE THE FIRST RECORDED CASE IN 1641, 467 00:26:54,574 --> 00:26:58,076 OVER 200 INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED AROUND THE WORLD 468 00:26:58,077 --> 00:27:02,549 FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE U.S. 469 00:27:02,549 --> 00:27:06,386 IN 1986, A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER MYSTERIOUSLY BURNED TO DEATH 470 00:27:06,386 --> 00:27:09,189 IN HIS OWN APARTMENT IN CROWN POINT, NEW YORK. 471 00:27:09,189 --> 00:27:12,525 IN 2011, AN ELDERLY MAN WHO BURNED TO DEATH 472 00:27:12,525 --> 00:27:14,994 IN GALWAY, IRELAND, MADE HEADLINES 473 00:27:14,994 --> 00:27:18,997 WHEN THE CORONER GAVE A VERDICT OF SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION, 474 00:27:18,998 --> 00:27:21,434 ALSO KNOWN AS "SHC." 475 00:27:21,434 --> 00:27:24,838 YET MANY DISPUTE THAT IT'S A REAL PHENOMENON AT ALL. 476 00:27:24,838 --> 00:27:27,974 SCIENCE INVESTIGATOR JOE NICKELL IS SKEPTICAL. 477 00:27:27,974 --> 00:27:31,745 IN 1984, HE UNDERTOOK A TWO-YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT 478 00:27:31,745 --> 00:27:36,049 STUDYING 30 HISTORICAL CASES OF ALLEGED SHC. 479 00:27:36,049 --> 00:27:38,651 SCIENCE CANNOT FIND ANY MECHANISM 480 00:27:38,651 --> 00:27:42,255 BY WHICH THE HUMAN BODY CAN BURST INTO FLAME. 481 00:27:42,255 --> 00:27:44,090 AND ALL SUCH SCENARIOS 482 00:27:44,090 --> 00:27:48,262 THAT ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN HOW THE BODY COULD COMBUST 483 00:27:48,262 --> 00:27:51,497 ARE JUST SO MUCH SCIENCE FICTION 484 00:27:51,497 --> 00:27:54,101 AND PSEUDOSCIENCE AND NONSENSE. 485 00:27:57,236 --> 00:28:00,239 Narrator: INVESTIGATOR LARRY ARNOLD DISAGREES. 486 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:02,776 HE THINKS SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION 487 00:28:02,776 --> 00:28:06,345 IS A GENUINE ANOMALY THAT NEEDS FURTHER STUDY. 488 00:28:06,346 --> 00:28:09,415 IT'S EASY FOR ACADEMICIANS TO GENERALLY DISMISS SHC 489 00:28:09,415 --> 00:28:11,251 BECAUSE IT BELIES COMMON SENSE. 490 00:28:11,251 --> 00:28:13,954 THE BODY IS 70% TO 80% WATER. 491 00:28:13,954 --> 00:28:16,189 IT'S LIKE TRYING TO IGNITE A SWIMMING POOL. 492 00:28:16,189 --> 00:28:17,690 THAT'S WHERE THE MYSTERY, 493 00:28:17,690 --> 00:28:19,959 THAT'S WHERE THE UNEXPLAINED NATURE OF THESE FIRES 494 00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:21,261 COMES INTO PLAY. 495 00:28:21,261 --> 00:28:22,996 Narrator: BUT COULD THE ANSWER BE HIDDEN 496 00:28:22,996 --> 00:28:24,631 DEEP WITHIN OUR OWN BODIES? 497 00:28:24,631 --> 00:28:27,601 IS THERE SOME TRIGGER INSIDE OUR FAT CELLS 498 00:28:27,601 --> 00:28:30,571 THAT CAN SPARK AT ANY TIME AND REDUCE US TO ASH? 499 00:28:34,008 --> 00:28:36,911 [ SIRENS WAIL ] 500 00:28:36,911 --> 00:28:38,445 Narrator: IN A TYPICAL HOUSE FIRE, 501 00:28:38,445 --> 00:28:41,715 THE CAUSE OF IGNITION IS EASILY IDENTIFIABLE, 502 00:28:41,715 --> 00:28:44,985 AND THE REMAINS OF A HUMAN BODY ARE RECOGNIZABLE. 503 00:28:44,986 --> 00:28:46,954 EXCEPT IN SEVERE CASES, 504 00:28:46,954 --> 00:28:50,425 THE INTERNAL ORGANS AND THE SKELETON TEND TO BE INTACT. 505 00:28:53,428 --> 00:28:56,396 BUT THE FATALITY LARRY ARNOLD IS INVESTIGATING 506 00:28:56,396 --> 00:28:58,099 LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT. 507 00:28:58,099 --> 00:29:01,268 HERE, THE BODY HAS BURNED TO A CINDER, 508 00:29:01,268 --> 00:29:04,538 YET THE SURROUNDINGS ARE VIRTUALLY UNTOUCHED. 509 00:29:04,538 --> 00:29:08,075 ONE POSSIBLE EXPLANATION IS CALLED THE WICK EFFECT, 510 00:29:08,075 --> 00:29:10,945 AND THERE'S NOTHING SPONTANEOUS ABOUT IT. 511 00:29:10,945 --> 00:29:13,615 COULD THIS BE WHAT KILLED THE MAN IN OKLAHOMA? 512 00:29:15,616 --> 00:29:19,821 ARNOLD ARRANGES A TEST TO FIND OUT. 513 00:29:25,493 --> 00:29:27,829 Arnold: WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN THIS BURN CHAMBER TODAY 514 00:29:27,829 --> 00:29:31,898 IS ATTEMPT TO REPLICATE OR DUPLICATE THE WICK EFFECT, 515 00:29:31,899 --> 00:29:34,569 WHICH IS WHAT NAYSAYERS 516 00:29:34,569 --> 00:29:36,803 OF SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION CASES 517 00:29:36,804 --> 00:29:41,776 SAY IS THE EXPLANATION FOR WHOLLY IMMOLATED HUMAN BEINGS. 518 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:47,548 Narrator: ACCORDING TO THE WICK EFFECT, 519 00:29:47,548 --> 00:29:51,619 THE FAT CONTENT OF THE HUMAN BODY FUELS THE FATAL FIRE. 520 00:29:51,619 --> 00:29:56,157 A 168-POUND MALE HAS AROUND 30 POUNDS OF FAT. 521 00:29:56,157 --> 00:29:57,925 WHEN BURNED, THIS FAT RELEASES 522 00:29:57,925 --> 00:30:01,561 AROUND 105,000 CALORIES OF ENERGY, 523 00:30:01,562 --> 00:30:04,599 EQUAL TO THREE GALLONS OF GASOLINE. 524 00:30:04,599 --> 00:30:07,368 THIS IS ENOUGH TO ENGULF AN AVERAGE CAR, 525 00:30:07,368 --> 00:30:10,405 BUT CAN IT BURN A BODY? 526 00:30:13,374 --> 00:30:19,680 LARRY USES A HUNK OF FATTY MEAT TO REPLICATE THE EVENT. 527 00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:22,884 Arnold: WE HAVE A HAM SHANK HERE, CONTAINING BONE FRAGMENT. 528 00:30:22,884 --> 00:30:25,019 PIG DOES BURN VERY SIMILAR TO HUMAN FLESH, 529 00:30:25,019 --> 00:30:26,554 SO IT'S AN APPROPRIATE STAND-IN. 530 00:30:26,554 --> 00:30:28,623 WE'RE GOING TO WRAP IT IN CLOTH. 531 00:30:31,959 --> 00:30:35,530 Narrator: AT LEAST 2,000 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT 532 00:30:35,530 --> 00:30:37,898 IS REQUIRED TO REDUCE A BODY TO ASH. 533 00:30:42,703 --> 00:30:45,873 AT REGULAR INTERVALS, LARRY MEASURES THE TEMPERATURE. 534 00:30:45,873 --> 00:30:51,479 YEP, WE'RE ALREADY AT 437 DEGREES AND CLIMBING. 535 00:30:55,316 --> 00:30:57,752 Narrator: AFTER 15 MINUTES, THE CLOTH IS CHARRED BLACK, 536 00:30:57,752 --> 00:31:00,221 AND THE BURNING HAS STOPPED. 537 00:31:00,221 --> 00:31:02,123 BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MEAT? 538 00:31:02,123 --> 00:31:04,225 Arnold: THE MEAT HASN'T EVEN BEEN SINGED, 539 00:31:04,225 --> 00:31:06,093 LET ALONE CHARRED TO DRY POWDER. 540 00:31:06,093 --> 00:31:09,496 THE WICK EFFECT DOES NOT WORK 541 00:31:09,496 --> 00:31:12,767 TO EXPLAIN WHOLE-BODY HUMAN IMMOLATIONS. 542 00:31:12,767 --> 00:31:14,736 THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE WE MEASURED HERE 543 00:31:14,736 --> 00:31:16,604 WAS JUST UNDER 700 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT 544 00:31:16,604 --> 00:31:18,373 AT THE HEIGHT OF COMBUSTION. 545 00:31:18,373 --> 00:31:20,107 IN A CREMATORIUM, BY COMPARISON, 546 00:31:20,107 --> 00:31:22,276 THE CADAVER IS EXPOSED TO TEMPERATURES 547 00:31:22,276 --> 00:31:24,412 OF ABOUT 2,400 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT 548 00:31:24,412 --> 00:31:28,783 FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF TO TWO HOURS. 549 00:31:28,783 --> 00:31:34,422 Narrator: LARRY'S TEST REACHED A TEMPERATURE OF 518 DEGREES. 550 00:31:35,990 --> 00:31:38,125 TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, 551 00:31:38,125 --> 00:31:39,859 EVEN A CREMATORIUM INCINERATOR 552 00:31:39,860 --> 00:31:42,330 BURNING AT 2,400 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT 553 00:31:42,330 --> 00:31:45,633 IS UNABLE TO REDUCE A BODY TO ASH. 554 00:31:45,633 --> 00:31:48,268 AFTER CREMATION, THE BONES ARE GROUND UP 555 00:31:48,268 --> 00:31:51,172 BEFORE THE REMAINS ARE PLACED IN AN URN. 556 00:31:54,976 --> 00:31:57,811 Arnold: WHATEVER BURNED THE HUMAN REMAINS IN OKLAHOMA, 557 00:31:57,811 --> 00:32:01,448 WE SUBMIT, CANNOT BE EXPLAINED BY THE WICK EFFECT. 558 00:32:03,717 --> 00:32:06,353 Narrator: FOR ARNOLD, THE WICK EFFECT DOESN'T OFFER 559 00:32:06,353 --> 00:32:09,557 A PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR THESE MYSTERIOUS DEATHS. 560 00:32:09,557 --> 00:32:11,525 AND THERE'S SOMETHING EVEN MORE REMARKABLE 561 00:32:11,525 --> 00:32:13,928 ABOUT THIS PHENOMENON. 562 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:21,835 SOME HAVE ACTUALLY LIVED TO TELL THE TALE 563 00:32:21,835 --> 00:32:24,538 OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM. 564 00:32:24,538 --> 00:32:27,875 FRANK BAKER IS A DECORATED VIETNAM WAR VETERAN 565 00:32:27,875 --> 00:32:31,779 WITH TWO PURPLE HEARTS AND A MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY. 566 00:32:31,779 --> 00:32:34,449 BUT HIS MOST TERRIFYING BRUSH WITH DEATH 567 00:32:34,449 --> 00:32:36,884 WAS NOT ON ANY BATTLEFIELD. 568 00:32:36,884 --> 00:32:41,622 IT WAS IN VERMONT IN JUNE OF 1985. 569 00:32:41,622 --> 00:32:43,857 WE WERE GETTING READY FOR FISHING. 570 00:32:43,857 --> 00:32:47,260 WE WERE SITTING ON THE COUCH THE DAY BEFORE THE DERBY. 571 00:32:47,260 --> 00:32:49,363 EVERYTHING WAS GREAT. 572 00:32:49,363 --> 00:32:51,532 PETE WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME. 573 00:32:51,532 --> 00:32:54,768 WE WERE HAVING ONE HELL OF A TIME, 574 00:32:54,768 --> 00:32:57,705 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN -- 575 00:33:02,443 --> 00:33:05,680 Willey: IT WAS THE DAMNEDEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN. 576 00:33:05,680 --> 00:33:09,417 FRANK WAS FREAKING OUT AND MAKING ME FREAK OUT. 577 00:33:12,853 --> 00:33:17,158 [ SIGHS ] I WAS IN SHEER PANIC. 578 00:33:21,495 --> 00:33:24,966 ALL I COULD DO WAS TRY TO FIGHT IT. 579 00:33:24,966 --> 00:33:26,534 I WAS PETRIFIED. 580 00:33:28,735 --> 00:33:33,741 I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE WITH MY BODY. NONE. 581 00:33:38,412 --> 00:33:41,115 Narrator: PETE AND FRANK MANAGED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES 582 00:33:41,115 --> 00:33:43,117 AND GET TO A DOCTOR. 583 00:33:46,454 --> 00:33:48,522 Baker: THE DOCTOR WAS COMPLETELY BAFFLED, 584 00:33:48,522 --> 00:33:50,323 AND HE SAID, "LOOKING AT IT, FRANK, 585 00:33:50,324 --> 00:33:53,093 THIS BURNED FROM THE INSIDE OUT." 586 00:33:53,093 --> 00:33:55,963 AND HE SAID, "I'VE NEVER, EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS." 587 00:33:57,364 --> 00:34:01,402 FRANK WAS NOWHERE NEAR ANY SOURCE OF HEAT OR FLAME. 588 00:34:01,402 --> 00:34:03,838 I WASN'T SMOKING. THERE WERE NO FLAMES AROUND. 589 00:34:03,838 --> 00:34:07,241 THERE WAS NO LIGHTS ON, NO MICROWAVES. 590 00:34:07,241 --> 00:34:08,909 ALL THAT WAS COMING IN WAS THE SUN 591 00:34:08,909 --> 00:34:13,347 FROM THE FAR END OF THE HOUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. 592 00:34:13,347 --> 00:34:16,417 Narrator: FRANK'S STORY DOESN'T END THERE. 593 00:34:17,784 --> 00:34:20,186 IT'S HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. 594 00:34:20,186 --> 00:34:21,922 Baker: WE WERE GOING FISHING. 595 00:34:21,922 --> 00:34:25,159 EVERYTHING WAS GREAT. 596 00:34:25,159 --> 00:34:27,595 AND THEN -- 597 00:34:30,864 --> 00:34:33,534 ALL OF A SUDDEN, I STARTED SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS. 598 00:34:37,204 --> 00:34:39,373 MY ARMS WERE JUST ON FIRE. 599 00:34:41,507 --> 00:34:44,343 Narrator: ONCE MORE, PETE MANAGES TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES 600 00:34:44,344 --> 00:34:46,347 AND SAVE FRANK'S LIFE. 601 00:34:46,347 --> 00:34:51,485 I AIN'T NEVER SEEN ANYTHING IN MY LIFETIME 602 00:34:51,485 --> 00:34:56,657 SUCH AS THE THINGS I SEE THAT HAPPENED TO FRANK. 603 00:35:00,895 --> 00:35:02,897 Narrator: TODAY, YEARS LATER, 604 00:35:02,897 --> 00:35:05,933 THE DAMAGE TO HIS SKIN HAS LARGELY HEALED. 605 00:35:05,933 --> 00:35:09,169 Baker: THE SCARRING HAS HAD 15 YEARS TO HEAL, 606 00:35:09,169 --> 00:35:10,337 AND IT JUST SETTLED BACK DOWN. 607 00:35:12,105 --> 00:35:14,976 Narrator: BUT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SCARS REMAIN. 608 00:35:16,477 --> 00:35:20,647 I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IN THE FUTURE OR AT ANY TIME 609 00:35:20,647 --> 00:35:22,482 THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. 610 00:35:25,452 --> 00:35:27,955 Arnold: FRANK BAKER APPEARS TO FIT ALL THE CRITERIA 611 00:35:27,955 --> 00:35:32,092 FOR SURVIVAL OF PARTIAL SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION, 612 00:35:32,092 --> 00:35:33,727 AND HE'S HAD TO DEAL WITH IT. 613 00:35:33,727 --> 00:35:34,960 HE'S HAD TO COME TO TERMS 614 00:35:34,961 --> 00:35:37,665 WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID TO BE IMPOSSIBLE, 615 00:35:37,665 --> 00:35:40,034 SOMETHING THAT COULD NOT HAPPEN. 616 00:35:46,674 --> 00:35:48,876 Narrator: BUT RECENT RESEARCH 617 00:35:48,876 --> 00:35:51,211 UNDERTAKEN IN CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, 618 00:35:51,211 --> 00:35:54,148 MIGHT OFFER NEW INSIGHT INTO THE ABERRATION. 619 00:35:54,148 --> 00:35:56,584 PROFESSOR BRIAN FORD 620 00:35:56,584 --> 00:35:59,886 IS A LEADING INDEPENDENT RESEARCHER IN CELL BIOLOGY. 621 00:35:59,886 --> 00:36:03,190 HE BELIEVES HE'S IDENTIFIED A SUBSTANCE 622 00:36:03,190 --> 00:36:05,091 THAT COULD SOLVE THE PUZZLE, 623 00:36:05,091 --> 00:36:07,594 SOMETHING SO VOLATILE, 624 00:36:07,594 --> 00:36:10,364 IT CAN IGNITE WITH JUST AN INVISIBLE SPARK, 625 00:36:10,364 --> 00:36:12,666 LIKE THE STATIC FROM A SWEATER. 626 00:36:12,666 --> 00:36:14,168 IT WILL SET FIRE TO THE BOTTLE, 627 00:36:14,168 --> 00:36:16,136 AND IT CAN ALMOST EXPLODE IN YOUR FACE. 628 00:36:16,136 --> 00:36:20,172 Narrator: COULD FORD'S THEORY HAVE FINALLY ZEROED IN ON THE CAUSE? 629 00:36:20,173 --> 00:36:23,344 ARE THERE CHEMICALS IN THE HUMAN BODY SO DANGEROUS, 630 00:36:23,344 --> 00:36:27,281 THEY ACT LIKE GASOLINE WAITING FOR A MATCH? 631 00:36:31,970 --> 00:36:34,205 Narrator: FOR CENTURIES, THE TERRIFYING ENIGMA 632 00:36:34,205 --> 00:36:36,508 OF SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION 633 00:36:36,508 --> 00:36:39,344 HAS BAFFLED RESEARCHERS ACROSS THE GLOBE. 634 00:36:39,344 --> 00:36:43,081 NOW, IN CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, PROFESSOR BRIAN FORD 635 00:36:43,081 --> 00:36:46,584 HAS DEVELOPED A THEORY THAT MAY EXPLAIN IT. 636 00:36:46,584 --> 00:36:50,755 Ford: I SET OUT TO SEARCH FOR A COMPOUND IN THE BODY 637 00:36:50,755 --> 00:36:53,858 THAT COULD BURST INTO FLAME. 638 00:36:53,858 --> 00:36:56,361 AND ALTHOUGH WE OFTEN OVERLOOK THE FACT, 639 00:36:56,361 --> 00:37:00,098 HUMAN BODIES PRODUCE ACETONE. 640 00:37:00,098 --> 00:37:01,933 Narrator: ACETONE, 641 00:37:01,933 --> 00:37:04,802 WHICH IS GENERALLY USED AS NAIL-VARNISH REMOVER, 642 00:37:04,803 --> 00:37:08,840 IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE WITH EXPLOSIVE VAPORS. 643 00:37:08,840 --> 00:37:11,042 Ford: ALL LIVING CELLS PRODUCE ACETONE, 644 00:37:11,042 --> 00:37:14,646 BUT WHEN YOU'RE ILL, THE LEVEL OF ACETONE CAN GO UP. 645 00:37:14,646 --> 00:37:18,016 Narrator: IT'S THIS RISE IN ACETONE LEVELS DURING ILLNESS 646 00:37:18,016 --> 00:37:21,519 THAT PROFESSOR FORD BELIEVES CAN BE DEADLY. 647 00:37:21,519 --> 00:37:23,889 ACETONE BEHAVES A LITTLE BIT LIKE GASOLINE DOES. 648 00:37:23,889 --> 00:37:28,291 IF YOU LET A SPARK OFF WHERE THERE IS THE VAPOR OF ACETONE, 649 00:37:28,292 --> 00:37:29,695 IT WILL SET FIRE TO THE BOTTLE, 650 00:37:29,695 --> 00:37:33,030 AND IT CAN ALMOST EXPLODE IN YOUR FACE. 651 00:37:33,031 --> 00:37:37,535 Narrator: THE SMALLEST SPARK, INVISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE, 652 00:37:37,535 --> 00:37:40,238 CAN IGNITE ACETONE. 653 00:37:40,238 --> 00:37:43,008 FOR PROFESSOR FORD, THIS IS THE KEY 654 00:37:43,008 --> 00:37:47,579 TO WHY THE COMBUSTION APPEARS SPONTANEOUS. 655 00:37:47,579 --> 00:37:50,782 WE KNOW THAT THINGS, LIKE A SPARK FROM STATIC -- 656 00:37:50,782 --> 00:37:53,384 YOU CAN EVEN COMB YOUR HAIR AND SEE SPARKS IN THE DARK. 657 00:37:53,384 --> 00:37:55,552 THE MYSTERY IS, 658 00:37:55,553 --> 00:37:58,856 HOW DOES THE PERSON THEMSELVES BECOME FLAMMABLE? 659 00:37:58,856 --> 00:38:01,393 AND OF COURSE, IF THEY'VE GOT ACETONE IN THEIR TISSUES, 660 00:38:01,393 --> 00:38:05,130 THAT MIGHT CONVERT A PERSON FROM BEING INCOMBUSTIBLE 661 00:38:05,130 --> 00:38:08,032 INTO BEING SOMETHING THAT BURNS LIKE A ROCKET. 662 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:18,041 Narrator: PROFESSOR FORD CONDUCTS A COLORFUL EXPERIMENT 663 00:38:18,042 --> 00:38:19,944 TO TEST THIS THEORY. 664 00:38:19,944 --> 00:38:21,312 HE BEGINS BY MAKING 665 00:38:21,312 --> 00:38:24,582 A SCALE-MODEL HUMAN FIGURINE OUT OF PORK 666 00:38:24,582 --> 00:38:27,686 AND DRESSING IT IN MINIATURE CLOTHES. 667 00:38:27,686 --> 00:38:29,821 IT'S THEN SOAKED IN ACETONE 668 00:38:29,821 --> 00:38:33,625 SO THAT THE CELLS BECOME SATURATED. 669 00:38:38,696 --> 00:38:40,632 SO, LET'S SEE. 670 00:38:51,910 --> 00:38:55,280 WHAT I BELIEVE HAPPENS IN SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION 671 00:38:55,280 --> 00:38:57,983 IS THAT THE COMBINATION BETWEEN FAT AND ACETONE 672 00:38:57,983 --> 00:38:59,584 BECOMES HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE, 673 00:38:59,584 --> 00:39:01,652 AND THAT IS WHY, IN A CASE LIKE THIS, 674 00:39:01,652 --> 00:39:04,556 YOU SEE NOT JUST THAT YOU END UP WITH A BARBECUED PERSON 675 00:39:04,556 --> 00:39:07,692 BUT THAT THE BODY IS DESTROYED BY THE HEAT ENERGY RELEASED 676 00:39:07,692 --> 00:39:11,228 FROM WITHIN THE VICTIM'S TISSUES. 677 00:39:11,229 --> 00:39:13,364 AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS 678 00:39:13,364 --> 00:39:19,036 INTO SUCH A TRAGIC, TERRIFYING, APPALLING WAY TO DIE. 679 00:39:19,037 --> 00:39:23,408 Narrator: WITHIN HALF AN HOUR, THE MODEL IS REDUCED TO ASH. 680 00:39:24,576 --> 00:39:28,612 BUT, FOR LARRY ARNOLD, THE EXPERIMENT HAS A FATAL FLAW. 681 00:39:28,613 --> 00:39:31,316 THE DOWNSIDE WE SEE WITH PROFESSOR FORD'S ATTEMPTS 682 00:39:31,316 --> 00:39:33,384 TO REPLICATE SHC IN THE LABORATORY 683 00:39:33,384 --> 00:39:36,755 IS THAT HE USES A VERY HIGH CONCENTRATION OF ACETONE, 684 00:39:36,755 --> 00:39:39,222 AND WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A LIVING PERSON 685 00:39:39,223 --> 00:39:42,193 COULD BE ALIVE WITH THE AMOUNT OF ACETONE IN THE BODY 686 00:39:42,193 --> 00:39:45,063 THAT HE REQUIRES FOR HIS EXPERIMENTATION. 687 00:39:45,063 --> 00:39:48,532 WE JUST DON'T FIND IT ATTRIBUTABLE TO MANY CASES, 688 00:39:48,532 --> 00:39:50,968 IF NOT ALL CASES, OF SHC, CERTAINLY NOT THE CASES 689 00:39:50,968 --> 00:39:52,938 THAT HAVE BEEN WITNESSED AND SURVIVED. 690 00:39:55,540 --> 00:39:58,075 Narrator: SURVIVOR FRANK BAKER HAS NO IDEA 691 00:39:58,075 --> 00:40:00,177 OF HIS ACETONE LEVELS AT THE TIME, 692 00:40:00,177 --> 00:40:04,449 BUT HE MAINTAINS THAT ILL HEALTH IS NOT THE ANSWER. 693 00:40:06,884 --> 00:40:09,520 AT THE TIME THE INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE, 694 00:40:09,520 --> 00:40:12,390 MY HEALTH WAS IN PERFECT SHAPE. 695 00:40:12,390 --> 00:40:15,160 THERE WAS NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING 696 00:40:15,160 --> 00:40:18,763 THAT COULD HAVE TRIGGERED WHAT HAPPENED. 697 00:40:21,199 --> 00:40:22,633 THE WAY I SEE IT, 698 00:40:22,633 --> 00:40:26,036 IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING IN OUR BODY, 699 00:40:26,036 --> 00:40:28,038 WHETHER IT'S IN OUR BLOOD STREAM, 700 00:40:28,038 --> 00:40:33,677 WHETHER IT'S ATOMS COMING TOGETHER THAT MAYBE SHOULDN'T. 701 00:40:33,678 --> 00:40:36,113 Narrator: MAINSTREAM SCIENCE REMAINS WARY 702 00:40:36,113 --> 00:40:38,516 OF EMBRACING INSTANTANEOUS COMBUSTION. 703 00:40:38,516 --> 00:40:41,351 TOO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS LINGER. 704 00:40:41,352 --> 00:40:42,987 BUT FOR PEOPLE LIKE BAKER, 705 00:40:42,987 --> 00:40:45,189 THAT'S NO REASON TO DELAY RESEARCH. 706 00:40:45,189 --> 00:40:48,393 UNTIL SCIENCE TOOK A HARD LOOK AT ALMOST ANYTHING, 707 00:40:48,393 --> 00:40:50,427 IT WAS CONSIDERED UNEXPLAINED. 708 00:40:50,428 --> 00:40:51,896 Baker: THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE DYING -- 709 00:40:51,896 --> 00:40:54,499 IT'S NOT HAPPENING BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DIE. 710 00:40:54,499 --> 00:40:57,669 SO, YOU KNOW, LOOK INTO IT, SCIENTISTS. 711 00:40:57,669 --> 00:40:59,437 HAVE AN OPEN MIND. 712 00:40:59,437 --> 00:41:02,973 THIS IS WHAT WE RELY ON SCIENCE FOR -- FOR FACTS. 713 00:41:02,973 --> 00:41:06,044 THEY DON'T HAVE THE FACTS, THEN LOOK FOR THEM. 714 00:41:07,746 --> 00:41:10,882 THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE THERE FOR, TO TRY TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE.