1
00:00:01,035 --> 00:00:02,667
Whoo-hoo!
2
00:00:05,740 --> 00:00:11,410
The white bird might be
the most important missing
airplane in history.
3
00:00:13,614 --> 00:00:16,215
[josh gates] no piece
of the plane is ever found.
4
00:00:16,217 --> 00:00:18,317
It's like the bermuda
triangle of the north east.
5
00:00:25,459 --> 00:00:26,425
[metal detector beeping]
6
00:00:26,427 --> 00:00:28,193
Hey, josh, I got
a hit over here.
7
00:00:28,195 --> 00:00:28,961
You got something?
8
00:00:33,100 --> 00:00:34,500
[chichetto] whoa, whoa, whoa.
9
00:00:34,502 --> 00:00:36,035
Oh... [bleep] look at this!
10
00:00:36,037 --> 00:00:36,868
[gates]
that's an airplane wreck.
11
00:00:36,870 --> 00:00:37,970
[chichetto]
that's an airplane.
12
00:00:45,813 --> 00:00:47,246
[gates] when it comes
to exploration,
13
00:00:47,347 --> 00:00:49,948
Some daring pioneers
make history
14
00:00:49,950 --> 00:00:52,151
While others shape the future.
15
00:00:52,186 --> 00:00:56,055
In 1927, charles lindbergh
becomes the first person
16
00:00:56,156 --> 00:00:58,757
To fly from new york
to paris, non-stop
17
00:00:58,859 --> 00:01:00,759
In the spirit of st. Lou.
18
00:01:00,828 --> 00:01:03,729
His feat turns him
into a global icon
19
00:01:03,731 --> 00:01:06,165
And charts a course
for america's dominance
20
00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:07,733
In commercial air travel.
21
00:01:07,802 --> 00:01:09,601
But history and the future
22
00:01:09,603 --> 00:01:11,437
Were almost very different.
23
00:01:11,538 --> 00:01:14,606
Just two weeks before
lindbergh's historic flight
24
00:01:14,608 --> 00:01:16,909
French pilot charles nungess
25
00:01:16,911 --> 00:01:19,111
And navigator francois coli
26
00:01:19,113 --> 00:01:21,814
Attempted the crossing
in the opposite direction
27
00:01:21,816 --> 00:01:24,149
Aboard a plane known
as l'oiseau blanc,
28
00:01:24,218 --> 00:01:26,051
Or the white bird.
29
00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:28,821
Thousands gather to watch
their triumphant landing
30
00:01:28,823 --> 00:01:30,722
In front of the statue
of liberty.
31
00:01:30,724 --> 00:01:33,092
Except the plane
never arrives.
32
00:01:33,094 --> 00:01:36,161
It vanishes without a trace.
33
00:01:36,230 --> 00:01:39,798
One of the largest
search and rescue
operations in history
34
00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:41,500
Comes up empty handed.
35
00:01:41,502 --> 00:01:43,435
It was assumed that
the white bird
36
00:01:43,537 --> 00:01:45,237
Never made it across
the atlantic.
37
00:01:45,306 --> 00:01:47,506
But now, newly
discovered evidence
38
00:01:47,508 --> 00:01:51,009
Suggests that it may have
reached north america.
39
00:01:51,011 --> 00:01:54,313
One expert is targeting
the wilderness of newfoundla
40
00:01:54,315 --> 00:01:56,315
Where a fragment
of metal could prove
41
00:01:56,317 --> 00:01:58,817
The plane broke apart
in a remote pond.
42
00:01:59,453 --> 00:02:00,719
And another group
43
00:02:00,721 --> 00:02:02,788
Thinks they've tracked
the plane's final flight
44
00:02:02,790 --> 00:02:05,724
To a secluded forest
in maine.
45
00:02:05,726 --> 00:02:08,827
So prepare for take-off
on an historic mission
46
00:02:08,829 --> 00:02:10,696
To discover the fate
of a flight
47
00:02:10,698 --> 00:02:12,631
And two heroic pilots
48
00:02:12,633 --> 00:02:14,700
Who dared to change
the world.
49
00:02:18,806 --> 00:02:20,739
My name is josh gates.
50
00:02:20,808 --> 00:02:21,940
Hello!
51
00:02:22,009 --> 00:02:23,542
Explorer.
52
00:02:23,611 --> 00:02:24,943
Adventurer.
53
00:02:24,945 --> 00:02:25,911
Amazing.
54
00:02:25,913 --> 00:02:26,712
Help.
55
00:02:26,714 --> 00:02:28,046
And a guy who ends up
56
00:02:28,048 --> 00:02:29,948
In some very
strange situations.
57
00:02:29,950 --> 00:02:30,816
Oh... [bleep]
58
00:02:30,818 --> 00:02:32,151
Whoo, that was exciting.
59
00:02:32,252 --> 00:02:33,952
With a degree
in archaeology
60
00:02:33,954 --> 00:02:35,721
And a passion
for the unexplained.
61
00:02:35,723 --> 00:02:36,755
Yeah!
62
00:02:36,757 --> 00:02:38,056
I travel to the ends
of the earth
63
00:02:38,058 --> 00:02:41,126
Investigating the greatest
legends in history.
64
00:02:41,128 --> 00:02:42,661
Okay, let's punch it.
65
00:02:42,730 --> 00:02:44,963
This is expedition unkno.
66
00:02:55,042 --> 00:02:56,642
Today we think nothing
67
00:02:56,710 --> 00:02:59,511
Of flying between europe
and the united states.
68
00:02:59,513 --> 00:03:01,947
Everyday thousands of planes
69
00:03:02,049 --> 00:03:05,317
Criss cross above the vast
waters of the atlantic.
70
00:03:05,319 --> 00:03:06,518
But you have to remember
71
00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:08,520
It was less than
a century ago
72
00:03:08,522 --> 00:03:11,323
That this feat, a non-stop
flight across the pond,
73
00:03:11,325 --> 00:03:13,425
It had never
been accomplished.
74
00:03:13,427 --> 00:03:15,227
And it was something
that many people thought
75
00:03:15,229 --> 00:03:16,862
Was downright impossible.
76
00:03:18,832 --> 00:03:20,532
In fact, in 1927,
77
00:03:20,601 --> 00:03:22,601
Very few people ever
had the chance
78
00:03:22,603 --> 00:03:23,902
To fly in a biplane.
79
00:03:25,339 --> 00:03:27,206
Today, well, same thing.
80
00:03:27,208 --> 00:03:28,607
There's not many
of them left
81
00:03:28,609 --> 00:03:29,942
From the early
20th century.
82
00:03:39,253 --> 00:03:40,519
Whoo-hoo.
83
00:03:47,127 --> 00:03:47,960
Whoo.
84
00:04:09,316 --> 00:04:10,749
In case you're wondering,
85
00:04:10,818 --> 00:04:13,252
Yes, this is me
trying not to cry
86
00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,520
As we soar above
the french countryside.
87
00:04:32,339 --> 00:04:33,805
To find the white bird
88
00:04:33,807 --> 00:04:36,441
We have to understand
the era in which she flew.
89
00:04:38,445 --> 00:04:42,447
In 1919, aviation was still
highly experimental.
90
00:04:42,549 --> 00:04:44,016
To spark innovation
91
00:04:44,018 --> 00:04:46,718
French-american hotel
mogul, raymond orteig,
92
00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:52,224
Offered up the orteig prize
$25,000 to the first aviato
93
00:04:52,226 --> 00:04:55,227
To travel non-stop
between new york and paris.
94
00:04:55,229 --> 00:04:58,697
By 1927, five teams
had made attempts.
95
00:04:58,699 --> 00:05:00,832
All failed in test trials
96
00:05:00,934 --> 00:05:02,034
Or during take-off,
97
00:05:02,036 --> 00:05:04,136
With planes too heavy
for the journey.
98
00:05:04,204 --> 00:05:06,538
Four pilots
already lay dead.
99
00:05:21,655 --> 00:05:26,224
The white bird was based
on the levasseur pl 4
reconnaissance biplane
100
00:05:26,226 --> 00:05:28,226
But was extensively modified
101
00:05:28,228 --> 00:05:30,062
The wings were lengthened.
102
00:05:30,163 --> 00:05:32,831
The fuselage was widened
and reinforced,
103
00:05:32,833 --> 00:05:33,799
Creating enough room
for the pilots
104
00:05:33,801 --> 00:05:36,234
To sit side by side.
105
00:05:36,336 --> 00:05:38,603
The landing gear
was designed to detach,
106
00:05:38,605 --> 00:05:41,940
Saving weight but forcing
the plane to land on water.
107
00:05:42,042 --> 00:05:43,909
Meanwhile, three fuel tanks
108
00:05:43,911 --> 00:05:46,712
Carrying a little over
a thousand gallons of gas
109
00:05:46,714 --> 00:05:49,114
Were all they had
to get to new york.
110
00:05:49,116 --> 00:05:52,751
This is how charles nungesse
and francois coli
111
00:05:52,853 --> 00:05:55,253
Flew for more than
30 hours straight
112
00:05:55,289 --> 00:05:58,523
At a top speed
of just 120 miles an hour.
113
00:06:00,194 --> 00:06:03,128
Today, we seal ourselves
inside metal tubes
114
00:06:03,130 --> 00:06:05,430
And shut ourselves
off from the sky.
115
00:06:05,432 --> 00:06:08,700
But this, this is the pures
expression of flight
116
00:06:08,702 --> 00:06:10,102
I've ever experienced.
117
00:06:20,347 --> 00:06:21,813
Feeling properly awed
118
00:06:21,815 --> 00:06:23,715
We wing our way
back to the hangar
119
00:06:23,717 --> 00:06:26,351
And I head into the city
to continue my search.
120
00:06:30,124 --> 00:06:31,957
As for nungesser and coli,
121
00:06:32,025 --> 00:06:34,726
They aren't exactly househol
names in america.
122
00:06:34,728 --> 00:06:37,529
But here in paris,
they seem to be everywhere.
123
00:06:37,531 --> 00:06:40,599
Commemorated in street
names, memorial parks.
124
00:06:40,601 --> 00:06:42,534
Hell, there's even
an entire restaurant
125
00:06:42,636 --> 00:06:43,702
Themed in their honor.
126
00:06:46,106 --> 00:06:49,207
This is the l'oiseau blanc
restaurant and bar
127
00:06:49,209 --> 00:06:52,210
On the rooftop
of the peninsula paris hotel.
128
00:06:52,212 --> 00:06:54,846
It is a wall to wall
celebration
129
00:06:54,948 --> 00:06:58,350
Of the pioneering spirit
of our two daring aviators.
130
00:06:58,419 --> 00:07:01,153
It has sweeping views
of the eiffel tower,
131
00:07:01,221 --> 00:07:04,322
A replica of the white bird
perched above the city
132
00:07:04,324 --> 00:07:06,024
And a michelin star menu.
133
00:07:06,026 --> 00:07:08,126
So, you know, I might
be here a while.
134
00:07:08,128 --> 00:07:11,630
All of this has me asking
one very important question
135
00:07:11,632 --> 00:07:13,031
Who were these guys?
136
00:07:15,202 --> 00:07:18,336
I reluctantly leave
my five star meal behind
137
00:07:18,438 --> 00:07:21,773
And head to le bourget
airport, just north of paris
138
00:07:21,775 --> 00:07:24,042
This is where
the white bird took flight
139
00:07:24,144 --> 00:07:27,212
And where charles lindbergh
landed two weeks later.
140
00:07:27,214 --> 00:07:31,116
Today, it's home
to France's stunning
air and space museum.
141
00:07:31,118 --> 00:07:33,718
In ours, we have
the spirit of st. Louis.
142
00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:35,520
They have a concorde.
143
00:07:35,522 --> 00:07:38,156
The supersonic airliner
which crossed the atlantic
144
00:07:38,192 --> 00:07:40,058
In just three
and a half hours.
145
00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:42,260
I'm here to meet
marion weckerle
146
00:07:42,329 --> 00:07:44,229
Who oversees
the museum's collection
147
00:07:44,231 --> 00:07:47,065
Of more than 400
historic planes.
148
00:07:47,133 --> 00:07:48,934
Okay, there's one plane
I wanna talk about
149
00:07:48,936 --> 00:07:50,202
That's not here
150
00:07:50,204 --> 00:07:53,004
Which is l'oiseau blanc,
the white bird.
151
00:07:53,006 --> 00:07:55,941
Let's start with
nungesser and coli.
152
00:07:56,710 --> 00:07:58,043
Looking at photos of them
153
00:07:58,111 --> 00:08:00,445
They look like something
out of a movie.
154
00:08:00,514 --> 00:08:02,514
You know, who were
these guys, really?
155
00:08:02,516 --> 00:08:06,618
Charles nungesser
was a world war I
fighter ace pilot.
156
00:08:06,620 --> 00:08:09,654
And, uh, he shot down
43 german aircraft
during the war.
157
00:08:09,723 --> 00:08:10,555
[gates] wow.
158
00:08:10,624 --> 00:08:11,756
[weckerle] and that score
159
00:08:11,758 --> 00:08:14,059
Made him one
of the deadliest french aces
160
00:08:14,595 --> 00:08:15,627
[gates] after the war
161
00:08:15,629 --> 00:08:18,129
Nungesser did what
all flying aces do.
162
00:08:18,131 --> 00:08:19,498
He went to hollywood.
163
00:08:19,500 --> 00:08:22,400
He married a socialite
and flew on the silver scree
164
00:08:22,402 --> 00:08:24,402
As a barn storming
stunt pilot.
165
00:08:24,404 --> 00:08:25,804
And coli?
166
00:08:25,806 --> 00:08:28,306
-Uh, coli was
actually a sailor.
-Hmm.
167
00:08:28,308 --> 00:08:31,643
And he began the war
as a lowly infantry private.
168
00:08:31,712 --> 00:08:33,812
[gates] coli worked
his way up to pilot
169
00:08:33,814 --> 00:08:35,714
And even squadron commander
170
00:08:35,716 --> 00:08:38,917
But when, in 1918,
he lost one of his eyes
171
00:08:38,919 --> 00:08:40,018
In a plane crash
172
00:08:40,020 --> 00:08:42,320
He instead, became
a skilled navigator.
173
00:08:42,322 --> 00:08:44,956
People here really
loved these guys, right?
174
00:08:44,958 --> 00:08:46,157
They were heroic
characters in France?
175
00:08:46,259 --> 00:08:47,759
Yeah, they were
our national heroes.
176
00:08:47,827 --> 00:08:50,962
So, when the two of them
decide to make this attempt
177
00:08:51,064 --> 00:08:52,464
To win the orteig prize,
178
00:08:52,533 --> 00:08:54,432
Is there a lot
of confidence in them?
179
00:08:54,534 --> 00:08:56,501
Absolutely, everybody
was certain
180
00:08:56,503 --> 00:08:59,004
That, uh, they would
succeed.
181
00:08:59,006 --> 00:09:02,107
[gates] may 8th, 1927.
182
00:09:02,109 --> 00:09:04,643
They take off from where?
183
00:09:04,678 --> 00:09:06,511
From here actually,
from le bourget.
184
00:09:06,513 --> 00:09:08,446
-Literally here, right?
-Literally here.
185
00:09:08,548 --> 00:09:09,614
-Like, in a field
right out here?
-Mmm-hmm.
186
00:09:10,450 --> 00:09:13,752
They took off at dawn
at the 5:30 am
187
00:09:13,853 --> 00:09:16,087
With a big crowd
watching them
188
00:09:16,089 --> 00:09:17,522
And encouraging them.
189
00:09:17,524 --> 00:09:19,624
[gates] weighed down
by its own fuel,
190
00:09:19,626 --> 00:09:21,927
The white bird barely
cleared the trees
191
00:09:21,929 --> 00:09:23,161
At the end of the runway.
192
00:09:23,230 --> 00:09:24,496
A couple of hours later
193
00:09:24,498 --> 00:09:26,231
A priest on the coast
of ireland
194
00:09:26,233 --> 00:09:27,933
Claimed to have seen
the plane,
195
00:09:28,034 --> 00:09:29,834
Though it's unconfirmed.
196
00:09:29,903 --> 00:09:31,403
Having sacrificed
their radio
197
00:09:31,405 --> 00:09:33,104
To make room
for more fuel,
198
00:09:33,106 --> 00:09:36,675
After they took off
they were utterly alone.
199
00:09:36,677 --> 00:09:40,412
Their intended route
would take them 3,630 miles
200
00:09:40,414 --> 00:09:42,647
Across the open waters
of the north atlantic.
201
00:09:42,716 --> 00:09:44,950
Eventually reaching
the coast of north america
202
00:09:44,952 --> 00:09:46,151
Over newfoundland
203
00:09:46,219 --> 00:09:48,119
And flying down
to new york city.
204
00:09:49,256 --> 00:09:51,423
At what point
did people realize
205
00:09:51,425 --> 00:09:52,524
There's a problem here?
206
00:09:52,526 --> 00:09:54,926
Uh, on the 9th of may,
207
00:09:54,928 --> 00:09:57,295
Uh, about 40 hours
after the take-off.
208
00:09:57,297 --> 00:09:59,531
Because at this point,
it was absolutely sure
209
00:09:59,533 --> 00:10:01,099
That they could not
have enough fuel
210
00:10:01,101 --> 00:10:02,634
To still be airborne.
211
00:10:02,736 --> 00:10:04,603
[gates] tens of thousands
of new yorkers
212
00:10:04,605 --> 00:10:07,138
Gathered to watch
the white bird's landing.
213
00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:08,840
It never arrived.
214
00:10:08,909 --> 00:10:11,209
What was the response
here in France
215
00:10:11,211 --> 00:10:12,510
When they disappeared?
216
00:10:12,512 --> 00:10:14,112
A total disaster.
217
00:10:14,114 --> 00:10:15,280
People were shocked
218
00:10:15,282 --> 00:10:18,016
Because everybody was so sure
that they would succeed.
219
00:10:18,018 --> 00:10:19,283
Right.
220
00:10:19,285 --> 00:10:21,920
Lindbergh would arrive
in paris two weeks later.
221
00:10:21,922 --> 00:10:24,255
The french gave him
a hero's welcome
222
00:10:24,357 --> 00:10:27,525
Despite their national grie
over their two lost pilots.
223
00:10:27,527 --> 00:10:31,062
Lindbergh even traveled
to nungesser's mother's hous
224
00:10:31,164 --> 00:10:34,199
To offer his condolences
personally.
225
00:10:34,201 --> 00:10:36,835
No piece of the plane
is ever found.
226
00:10:36,903 --> 00:10:39,204
Like, no part of the plane
survives, right?
227
00:10:39,206 --> 00:10:41,039
Actually, there is one piece.
228
00:10:41,141 --> 00:10:42,407
There's a piece of the plane?
229
00:10:42,409 --> 00:10:44,342
One, we have it right here
at the museum.
230
00:10:45,145 --> 00:10:46,378
[gates] that's right.
231
00:10:46,380 --> 00:10:49,347
We're about to see the only
known surviving piece
232
00:10:49,449 --> 00:10:50,815
Of the white bird.
233
00:10:50,817 --> 00:10:54,052
Josh, this is the landing gear
of the white bird.
234
00:10:55,222 --> 00:10:57,622
[gates] wow, this
is the actual landing gear?
235
00:10:57,624 --> 00:10:59,190
Yes, absolutely.
236
00:10:59,192 --> 00:11:01,326
It was designed
to be left behind.
237
00:11:01,328 --> 00:11:03,395
It's actually more
a taking off gear
238
00:11:03,397 --> 00:11:04,729
Than a landing one.
239
00:11:04,731 --> 00:11:07,399
[gates] this is all that
remains of l'oiseau blanc,
240
00:11:07,401 --> 00:11:10,135
The gear that intentionally
fell away from the plane
241
00:11:10,236 --> 00:11:11,836
After take-off to save weigh
242
00:11:11,905 --> 00:11:14,939
And transformed the aircraf
into a flying boat
243
00:11:15,041 --> 00:11:17,042
For its landing
in new york harbor.
244
00:11:17,611 --> 00:11:20,311
Wow, unbelievable.
245
00:11:20,313 --> 00:11:22,414
Just to think that this
went rolling down
246
00:11:22,416 --> 00:11:23,915
That airfield out there,
247
00:11:23,917 --> 00:11:25,450
Almost a hundred
years ago.
248
00:11:25,519 --> 00:11:27,619
And this is the white paint
from the plane?
249
00:11:27,621 --> 00:11:29,054
[weckerle] yes,
it's the same color.
250
00:11:29,056 --> 00:11:30,955
And then blue underneath?
251
00:11:30,957 --> 00:11:32,022
[weckerle] ah, yes.
252
00:11:32,092 --> 00:11:33,958
Uh, there is a little, uh,
bit of blue painting
253
00:11:34,027 --> 00:11:35,226
On the middle.
254
00:11:35,228 --> 00:11:37,128
Crazy, crazy.
255
00:11:37,130 --> 00:11:39,564
All right, so now I have
a difficult question.
256
00:11:39,633 --> 00:11:41,032
Where's the rest
of the plane?
257
00:11:41,101 --> 00:11:42,333
The time, the leading theory
258
00:11:42,435 --> 00:11:44,335
Was, at first,
that they crashed,
259
00:11:44,437 --> 00:11:45,837
Uh, near the french coast.
260
00:11:45,906 --> 00:11:47,138
Maybe in the english channel.
261
00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:48,807
-So immediately?
-Immediately.
262
00:11:48,809 --> 00:11:50,508
But there is another theory
263
00:11:50,510 --> 00:11:52,077
Which is very intriguing.
264
00:11:52,079 --> 00:11:54,746
Uh, which is that
they actually did cross
265
00:11:54,848 --> 00:11:56,347
But crashed in north america.
266
00:11:56,449 --> 00:11:59,250
In fact, several groups have
been looking for the plane
267
00:11:59,352 --> 00:12:01,453
And right now,
a group in maine,
268
00:12:01,521 --> 00:12:02,954
Uh, is still
looking for it.
269
00:12:03,023 --> 00:12:04,823
-In maine?
-In maine.
270
00:12:04,825 --> 00:12:08,326
All right, well,
back across the pond.
271
00:12:08,328 --> 00:12:10,762
The white bird was lost
crossing the atlantic.
272
00:12:10,864 --> 00:12:12,497
Now I'm doing it twice.
273
00:12:12,499 --> 00:12:15,433
This time I fly from paris
to bangor, maine.
274
00:12:19,005 --> 00:12:21,506
Known for lobster rolls
and lighthouses
275
00:12:21,508 --> 00:12:23,141
The gorgeous state
down east
276
00:12:23,243 --> 00:12:25,143
Is also the home
of stephen king.
277
00:12:25,211 --> 00:12:26,745
Which means there's
a decent chance
278
00:12:26,846 --> 00:12:28,713
This whole place
is actually cursed.
279
00:12:30,417 --> 00:12:33,051
I have an appointment nearb
with peter noddin,
280
00:12:33,053 --> 00:12:34,218
The former president
281
00:12:34,220 --> 00:12:36,521
Of the maine aviation
historical society.
282
00:12:36,523 --> 00:12:38,123
And james chichetto
283
00:12:38,125 --> 00:12:41,392
The son of one
of the society's
founding members.
284
00:12:41,394 --> 00:12:42,427
How you doing, I'm josh.
285
00:12:42,429 --> 00:12:43,762
-James chichetto.
-Nice to meet you.
286
00:12:43,830 --> 00:12:44,829
Pete noddin, good to meet you.
287
00:12:44,831 --> 00:12:45,663
Great to meet you as well.
288
00:12:45,699 --> 00:12:47,398
Okay, part of what you do
289
00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:49,934
Is look for lost,
wrecked planes, right?
290
00:12:50,036 --> 00:12:51,236
Yeah, there's a group of us
291
00:12:51,304 --> 00:12:53,338
That actually document
historic crash sites
292
00:12:53,439 --> 00:12:54,906
And we look
for missing aircraft.
293
00:12:54,908 --> 00:12:57,475
How many of these missing
aircraft have you found?
294
00:12:57,477 --> 00:12:58,910
Just about 50.
295
00:12:58,912 --> 00:13:00,345
-Five zero?
-[noddin] yes.
296
00:13:00,413 --> 00:13:02,714
It's like the bermuda triangle
of the north east.
297
00:13:02,716 --> 00:13:05,216
Why are there so many
wrecked planes up here?
298
00:13:05,218 --> 00:13:07,619
There are a lot of military
aircraft in this area.
299
00:13:07,621 --> 00:13:11,055
-There are over 745 military
accidents here in maine.
-[gates] wow.
300
00:13:11,157 --> 00:13:13,024
Uh, large dense woods
301
00:13:13,026 --> 00:13:15,727
A lot of places for airplanes
to go down and disappear.
302
00:13:15,729 --> 00:13:17,495
Well, there is one plane
in particular
303
00:13:17,497 --> 00:13:18,963
I'm very interested in,
as you know.
304
00:13:18,965 --> 00:13:20,698
-That we're all interested
in, yes.
- The white bird.
305
00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:22,100
-[noddin] yes.
-Which is also, I guess,
306
00:13:22,102 --> 00:13:23,334
Kind of a white whale, right?
307
00:13:23,436 --> 00:13:24,802
In many ways, yes.
308
00:13:24,804 --> 00:13:26,037
-People have been driven mad
looking for this plane?
-Yep.
309
00:13:26,139 --> 00:13:27,205
You think it's here
in maine?
310
00:13:27,207 --> 00:13:28,606
-Definitely.
-Definitely?
311
00:13:28,608 --> 00:13:29,641
Okay.
312
00:13:29,742 --> 00:13:31,142
Make your case,
why is it here?
313
00:13:31,211 --> 00:13:32,844
Well, it starts
with the witnesses.
314
00:13:32,946 --> 00:13:34,012
[gates] wait,
there are witnesses?
315
00:13:34,014 --> 00:13:35,413
[noddin] there are witnesses.
316
00:13:39,452 --> 00:13:42,220
-People have been driven mad
looking for this plane?
-Yep.
317
00:13:42,222 --> 00:13:43,321
You think it's here
in maine?
318
00:13:43,323 --> 00:13:44,722
-Definitely.
-Definitely?
319
00:13:44,724 --> 00:13:46,257
In the back country
of maine,
320
00:13:46,326 --> 00:13:48,726
I'm joining a pair
of veteran wreck chasers
321
00:13:48,728 --> 00:13:51,729
Who believe the know
where to search
for the white bird.
322
00:13:51,731 --> 00:13:54,632
One of the most important
lost planes in history.
323
00:13:54,701 --> 00:13:56,000
Make your case,
why is it here?
324
00:13:56,002 --> 00:13:57,602
Well, it starts
with the witnesses.
325
00:13:57,604 --> 00:13:58,803
[gates] wait,
there are witnesses?
326
00:13:58,805 --> 00:13:59,804
[noddin] there are witnesses.
327
00:13:59,806 --> 00:14:02,073
May 9th, 1927.
328
00:14:02,075 --> 00:14:03,942
There were a group
of people that heard
329
00:14:03,944 --> 00:14:06,044
An aircraft pass over.
330
00:14:06,046 --> 00:14:08,046
Which was a very
rare thing in 1927.
331
00:14:08,048 --> 00:14:09,113
People have to remember that.
332
00:14:09,115 --> 00:14:11,649
In 1927, a plane goes
overhead, it's a big deal.
333
00:14:11,751 --> 00:14:13,051
-[noddin] it was a big deal.
-Right.
334
00:14:13,119 --> 00:14:15,220
So this is a map of the region
we're in right now.
335
00:14:15,222 --> 00:14:17,722
The first people to hear
the aircraft that morning
336
00:14:17,724 --> 00:14:20,525
Were the scotts, a married
couple traveling by car.
337
00:14:20,527 --> 00:14:22,227
They heard an airplane
approach.
338
00:14:24,531 --> 00:14:26,598
They pulled over
and shut the car off
339
00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:28,299
And got out to listen
to it pass.
340
00:14:28,301 --> 00:14:29,801
[gates] to them, no questio
that was a plane?
341
00:14:29,803 --> 00:14:31,102
[noddin] no question,
that was a plane.
342
00:14:31,104 --> 00:14:32,303
[gates] okay.
343
00:14:32,305 --> 00:14:33,605
[noddin] shortly thereafter
344
00:14:33,607 --> 00:14:35,506
We had the magoon
up here on their farm,
345
00:14:35,508 --> 00:14:40,111
Actually saw an unusual
white biplane
346
00:14:40,113 --> 00:14:43,114
Come out of the fog,
circle their farm once
347
00:14:43,116 --> 00:14:45,350
And then flew off
to the southeast.
348
00:14:46,519 --> 00:14:48,219
And the father
was concerned enough
349
00:14:48,221 --> 00:14:49,754
After the plane flew
to the southeast
350
00:14:49,823 --> 00:14:51,723
That he organized a search
party of neighbors
351
00:14:51,725 --> 00:14:53,224
And went searching
in that area
352
00:14:53,226 --> 00:14:54,325
Where he believed
it had crashed.
353
00:14:54,327 --> 00:14:56,561
-I mean, that's
really compelling.
-Yes.
354
00:14:56,630 --> 00:14:58,062
What other white biplane
355
00:14:58,064 --> 00:15:00,598
-Is flying around
up here in 1927?
-Exactly.
356
00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:01,833
Now one of the things
I'm getting
357
00:15:01,935 --> 00:15:02,833
Looking at all of this
358
00:15:02,835 --> 00:15:05,003
Is that there seems to
be a consistency
359
00:15:05,005 --> 00:15:07,438
-This plane is flying south?
-Yes.
360
00:15:07,507 --> 00:15:10,341
The scotts, the magoons
and other witnesses
361
00:15:10,410 --> 00:15:12,710
All report seeing
or hearing a plane
362
00:15:12,712 --> 00:15:15,046
Moving in a southwesterly
direction.
363
00:15:15,148 --> 00:15:16,513
So they're on fumes.
364
00:15:16,515 --> 00:15:17,849
Came in over
newfoundland, they're
not gonna make new york.
365
00:15:17,951 --> 00:15:19,417
Yeah, they're not
gonna make new york.
366
00:15:19,419 --> 00:15:21,619
It's possible the first
large body of water
367
00:15:21,621 --> 00:15:23,087
That they may have
seen to land on
368
00:15:23,089 --> 00:15:24,455
Would be tunk lake,
right behind us.
369
00:15:24,524 --> 00:15:26,357
-[gates] this is tunk lake?
-[noddin] this is tunk lake.
370
00:15:26,426 --> 00:15:29,761
[gates] tunk lake
lies in line with
the direction of the aircraf
371
00:15:29,862 --> 00:15:31,329
That the witnesses described
372
00:15:31,331 --> 00:15:34,032
And there's another
reason peter and his team
373
00:15:34,034 --> 00:15:36,200
Have hone in on this locatio
374
00:15:36,202 --> 00:15:38,136
Now, I see one other
flag on this map.
375
00:15:38,237 --> 00:15:40,438
-Yes.
-[gates] down here, millett.
376
00:15:40,506 --> 00:15:41,739
[noddin] yep, james millett.
377
00:15:41,741 --> 00:15:43,041
-[gates] which
is pointing to this lake?
-[noddin] yes.
378
00:15:43,043 --> 00:15:44,542
So is millett another
eyewitness?
379
00:15:44,610 --> 00:15:47,111
No, he found something
really interesting here
380
00:15:47,113 --> 00:15:48,046
About 30 years later.
381
00:15:48,147 --> 00:15:49,814
What's millett's story?
382
00:15:49,816 --> 00:15:51,516
[noddin] millett was with
a group of hunters
383
00:15:51,518 --> 00:15:53,618
Staying at a camp
right here on this lake.
384
00:15:53,620 --> 00:15:56,754
So on one particular day
they walk over a mountain.
385
00:15:56,823 --> 00:15:58,656
As they descend down
the other side
386
00:15:58,725 --> 00:16:01,159
They decide to stop
for lunch.
387
00:16:01,227 --> 00:16:04,395
Millett sees a ledge that
looks comfortable to sit on
388
00:16:04,397 --> 00:16:06,998
And he discovers part
of an engine
389
00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:08,199
Sticking up out
of the ground.
390
00:16:11,504 --> 00:16:14,539
He also discovers some
pieces of white canvas.
391
00:16:16,009 --> 00:16:19,610
He discovers a bone
that might have been
a human tibia.
392
00:16:21,448 --> 00:16:23,815
Did they note this exact
location where this happened?
393
00:16:23,817 --> 00:16:24,615
They did not.
394
00:16:24,617 --> 00:16:25,917
How do you pick up
the pieces?
395
00:16:25,919 --> 00:16:27,752
How do you find
where millett was?
396
00:16:27,821 --> 00:16:29,620
Millett left behind
some clues for us.
397
00:16:29,622 --> 00:16:31,222
Okay, what did
he leave behind?
398
00:16:31,224 --> 00:16:32,623
When millett
and his hunting partner
399
00:16:32,625 --> 00:16:34,125
Got to the top
of the mountain
400
00:16:34,127 --> 00:16:35,526
They found a marker
401
00:16:35,528 --> 00:16:38,429
That he said was like
a us geological survey
benchmark.
402
00:16:38,431 --> 00:16:40,565
These were markers
that were put out
403
00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:42,100
As part of topographic
surveys.
404
00:16:42,102 --> 00:16:43,101
They're all over
the country these things?
405
00:16:43,103 --> 00:16:44,302
-Yes.
-All right.
406
00:16:44,304 --> 00:16:46,404
And many of the mountains
in this area
407
00:16:46,406 --> 00:16:48,706
Have coastal survey
markers on 'em.
408
00:16:48,708 --> 00:16:50,441
So, obvious question.
409
00:16:50,510 --> 00:16:52,710
Do any of these
coastal markers
410
00:16:52,712 --> 00:16:53,945
Exist on any
of these peaks?
411
00:16:54,047 --> 00:16:55,413
There are two of them
on mountains
412
00:16:55,415 --> 00:16:57,115
That are likely suspect.
413
00:16:57,117 --> 00:16:59,150
And so, have you
searched them?
414
00:16:59,252 --> 00:17:00,518
We searched one of them.
415
00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:01,319
One of them?
416
00:17:01,821 --> 00:17:02,820
And the other?
417
00:17:02,822 --> 00:17:04,422
You ready for a hike
in the maine woods?
418
00:17:04,424 --> 00:17:06,824
Hell yes I am,
let's do it, come on.
419
00:17:06,826 --> 00:17:08,626
The wreckage
spotted by millett
420
00:17:08,628 --> 00:17:10,828
Nearly three quarters
of a century ago
421
00:17:10,830 --> 00:17:13,364
Was left behind
and has never been found.
422
00:17:13,433 --> 00:17:15,299
If it is airplane wreckage
423
00:17:15,301 --> 00:17:17,802
There's every chance
it's from the white bird.
424
00:17:18,905 --> 00:17:21,639
We board a boat
and speed across tunk lake
425
00:17:21,708 --> 00:17:24,642
Toward the peak that may
have a geological marker
426
00:17:24,744 --> 00:17:26,677
Matching what
millett described.
427
00:17:26,679 --> 00:17:28,813
Waiting at the base
of the hill though
428
00:17:28,815 --> 00:17:31,449
Is someone I never knew
I was dying to meet.
429
00:17:32,619 --> 00:17:34,318
Want to introduce you
to the owner of the dock.
430
00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:35,453
Hi, I'm lee byrd.
431
00:17:35,555 --> 00:17:36,854
Hi, lee, nice to meet
you, I'm josh.
432
00:17:36,856 --> 00:17:38,656
-Nice to meet you.
-Thanks for letting us
use the dock.
433
00:17:38,724 --> 00:17:39,924
My pleasure.
434
00:17:39,926 --> 00:17:41,726
[noddin] you might be familiar
with lee's grandfather.
435
00:17:41,728 --> 00:17:43,961
Your grandfather is?
436
00:17:43,963 --> 00:17:45,363
Admiral byrd.
437
00:17:45,465 --> 00:17:48,232
Your grandfather
is admiral richard byrd?
438
00:17:48,301 --> 00:17:49,333
Yes, yes.
439
00:17:49,435 --> 00:17:52,203
Your grandfather is one
of the most famous
440
00:17:52,205 --> 00:17:55,139
Aviators and explorers ever.
441
00:17:55,809 --> 00:17:57,008
One of the biggest names
442
00:17:57,010 --> 00:17:59,243
In the history
of polar exploration.
443
00:17:59,312 --> 00:18:02,113
Pioneering american
aviator, richard byrd
444
00:18:02,115 --> 00:18:04,015
Was the first person
to fly over
445
00:18:04,017 --> 00:18:06,350
Both the north
and south poles.
446
00:18:06,419 --> 00:18:08,319
Like nungesser and coli,
447
00:18:08,321 --> 00:18:11,122
Byrd wanted to claim
the orteig prize.
448
00:18:11,124 --> 00:18:13,424
Unfortunately his plane
was damaged
449
00:18:13,426 --> 00:18:14,525
During a test flight
450
00:18:14,527 --> 00:18:16,461
From which he barely
walked away.
451
00:18:16,562 --> 00:18:18,463
Meanwhile, lindbergh
came along
452
00:18:18,564 --> 00:18:21,632
And so, my grandfather
offered him the field
453
00:18:21,734 --> 00:18:23,034
To take-off in
454
00:18:23,103 --> 00:18:25,603
And gave him his
navigational instruments
455
00:18:25,605 --> 00:18:26,938
To make the flight.
456
00:18:27,006 --> 00:18:28,572
It's insane.
457
00:18:28,574 --> 00:18:30,608
Your grandfather,
and I mean this
as the highest compliment,
458
00:18:30,610 --> 00:18:32,910
-Was nuts.
-Well he was.
459
00:18:32,912 --> 00:18:33,945
[gates laughing]
I mean he was.
460
00:18:33,947 --> 00:18:35,813
He did the most
amazing stuff.
461
00:18:35,815 --> 00:18:36,847
Yeah, he did.
462
00:18:36,916 --> 00:18:38,950
But he always really
calculated it all out
463
00:18:39,018 --> 00:18:40,818
And it's amazing
he survived.
464
00:18:40,820 --> 00:18:43,321
That is the ultimate
"it's a small world."
465
00:18:43,323 --> 00:18:44,589
It is.
466
00:18:44,657 --> 00:18:46,157
You never know who
you're gonna meet
in the woods of maine.
467
00:18:46,226 --> 00:18:47,257
Good luck.
468
00:18:47,327 --> 00:18:48,860
-All right, thank you so much.
-All right.
469
00:18:48,928 --> 00:18:50,461
I'm speechless. Here we go.
470
00:18:52,132 --> 00:18:55,800
And with that, we set off
into less inhabited territor
471
00:18:55,802 --> 00:18:58,102
In search of our lost
survey marker.
472
00:18:58,104 --> 00:19:00,538
And there isn't exactly
a manicured trail
473
00:19:00,607 --> 00:19:01,539
Leading to the summit.
474
00:19:03,076 --> 00:19:04,342
It's gonna be pushing through
475
00:19:04,344 --> 00:19:05,710
-Some pretty dense stuff
it looks like.
-[noddin] yeah.
476
00:19:08,815 --> 00:19:12,216
You think, how could
an entire airplane go missing
477
00:19:12,218 --> 00:19:14,218
In a place like maine.
478
00:19:14,220 --> 00:19:16,120
And then you come out
here and you realize
479
00:19:16,122 --> 00:19:17,822
These woods are no joke.
480
00:19:26,166 --> 00:19:27,632
Getting steep now.
481
00:19:28,401 --> 00:19:29,533
Up, up, up.
482
00:19:37,577 --> 00:19:39,944
Let's get a bearing
so we can pick a direction.
483
00:19:39,946 --> 00:19:41,712
[gates] quarter mile
from the target.
484
00:19:41,714 --> 00:19:43,114
Straight on really, right?
485
00:19:48,521 --> 00:19:49,620
We're getting close
486
00:19:49,622 --> 00:19:51,122
But we're not out
of the woods yet.
487
00:19:51,124 --> 00:19:52,056
So to speak.
488
00:19:54,961 --> 00:19:56,561
Should be 500 feet
straight ahead, peter.
489
00:19:56,662 --> 00:19:58,095
[noddin] yep.
490
00:19:58,097 --> 00:19:59,430
[chichetto] I see
an opening over there.
491
00:19:59,432 --> 00:20:02,033
It does look like
a clearing, 100 feet.
492
00:20:05,138 --> 00:20:05,970
[noddin] does it open up?
493
00:20:06,005 --> 00:20:08,039
[gates] yeah, it does.
20 feet.
494
00:20:09,008 --> 00:20:10,041
[chichetto] wow,
I found something.
495
00:20:10,142 --> 00:20:10,875
You got it?
496
00:20:10,877 --> 00:20:12,643
Hey, we got it!
497
00:20:12,712 --> 00:20:13,677
Look at that.
498
00:20:13,679 --> 00:20:14,612
-[noddin] all right.
-[gates] okay, man.
499
00:20:15,949 --> 00:20:17,114
Nice work, man.
500
00:20:17,116 --> 00:20:18,616
-[chichetto] all right.
-Good coordinates.
501
00:20:18,618 --> 00:20:22,520
This is from 1945,
this was hammered in.
502
00:20:22,522 --> 00:20:24,455
This really could be
the very spot
503
00:20:24,557 --> 00:20:26,023
That these hunters
were, right?
504
00:20:26,025 --> 00:20:27,224
-[chichetto] yeah.
-Exactly.
505
00:20:27,226 --> 00:20:28,759
[gates] so then we gotta
follow the story from there.
506
00:20:28,828 --> 00:20:30,361
They came to this marker,
507
00:20:30,430 --> 00:20:32,230
And where did they
go from here?
508
00:20:32,232 --> 00:20:33,931
-They went down
the hill.
-Okay.
509
00:20:33,933 --> 00:20:35,499
[chichetto] they went down
into a clearing,
510
00:20:35,501 --> 00:20:36,601
They broke for lunch.
511
00:20:36,603 --> 00:20:38,302
And one of these guys sat
down on the ledge
512
00:20:38,304 --> 00:20:39,370
To have some lunch.
513
00:20:39,372 --> 00:20:41,038
[gates] and that's when
he saw the wreck?
514
00:20:42,041 --> 00:20:44,508
All right, let's get back
in the woods.
515
00:20:44,510 --> 00:20:46,944
Can we just enjoy
this clearing and this breeze?
516
00:20:46,980 --> 00:20:48,245
-Yeah.
-For a moment?
517
00:20:48,247 --> 00:20:49,347
-Is that possible?
-[chichetto] that's
fine with me.
518
00:20:50,717 --> 00:20:52,116
[gates] back into the trees
519
00:20:52,118 --> 00:20:53,718
I have to admit,
I've never looked
520
00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:55,720
For a decade old
lunch spot
521
00:20:55,722 --> 00:20:57,221
In the middle
of a forest before.
522
00:20:57,223 --> 00:20:59,023
But that's what
we're doing.
523
00:20:59,025 --> 00:21:01,826
Wherever these hunters
decided to grab a sandwich
524
00:21:01,828 --> 00:21:04,161
May be where they found
the white bird.
525
00:21:11,404 --> 00:21:14,038
Definitely looks like
an elevation change over here.
526
00:21:14,107 --> 00:21:15,306
[noddin] excellent.
527
00:21:15,308 --> 00:21:17,708
[gates] my lunch sense
starts tingling.
528
00:21:20,713 --> 00:21:22,813
I mean, great ledge right
here, look at this.
529
00:21:22,815 --> 00:21:24,215
Wow.
530
00:21:24,217 --> 00:21:26,817
This feels perfect
to the description, right?
531
00:21:26,819 --> 00:21:28,019
Sit right here.
532
00:21:28,021 --> 00:21:29,420
Legs are dangling.
533
00:21:30,156 --> 00:21:31,421
Wreckage.
534
00:21:31,423 --> 00:21:32,423
-It's a great place
to have lunch.
-It's consistent.
535
00:21:32,425 --> 00:21:33,323
It's consistent.
536
00:21:33,326 --> 00:21:34,258
I mean, the real
question though
537
00:21:34,360 --> 00:21:35,359
Is that after all these years,
538
00:21:35,428 --> 00:21:36,360
All this dead fall here.
539
00:21:36,462 --> 00:21:38,229
Would any of that stuff
still be showing?
540
00:21:38,231 --> 00:21:39,497
Possibly not.
541
00:21:39,499 --> 00:21:41,299
This is a good place
to break out
the metal detector
542
00:21:41,301 --> 00:21:42,500
And sweep this whole area.
543
00:21:42,502 --> 00:21:43,634
Okay, great, let's do it.
544
00:21:45,838 --> 00:21:47,905
We quickly assemble
our metal detectors
545
00:21:47,907 --> 00:21:49,340
And fan out into the trees.
546
00:21:56,883 --> 00:21:59,450
Metal detecting, as I'm sur
you all know by now
547
00:21:59,552 --> 00:22:00,951
Is feast or famine.
548
00:22:00,953 --> 00:22:03,054
And so far,
we're going hungry.
549
00:22:04,524 --> 00:22:06,057
So, a lot of area to search.
550
00:22:06,059 --> 00:22:07,425
A lot of difficult area
to search.
551
00:22:16,202 --> 00:22:18,302
Hey, hey, hey!
Guys, come here.
552
00:22:18,304 --> 00:22:19,403
[chichetto] whoa,
what you got?
553
00:22:19,405 --> 00:22:20,404
James, come here!
554
00:22:20,406 --> 00:22:21,706
Piece of metal over here.
555
00:22:23,109 --> 00:22:24,809
-[noddin] that, that...
-[gates] it's aluminum.
556
00:22:24,811 --> 00:22:26,310
[noddin]
that screams aviation.
557
00:22:26,312 --> 00:22:28,145
-It really does, right?
-[noddin] it really does.
558
00:22:29,415 --> 00:22:31,115
This looks like it's from
an airplane.
559
00:22:31,117 --> 00:22:32,216
[chichetto] it does.
560
00:22:32,218 --> 00:22:33,050
[gates] look, it's all
riveted on this side.
561
00:22:33,086 --> 00:22:33,951
[noddin] yep.
562
00:22:33,953 --> 00:22:34,885
-It's got white paint on it.
-Wow.
563
00:22:34,887 --> 00:22:35,853
I mean that is white
paint, right?
564
00:22:35,922 --> 00:22:36,954
Is the red the primer?
565
00:22:36,956 --> 00:22:37,888
[noddin] yeah, I think so.
566
00:22:37,957 --> 00:22:39,623
Red's the primer,
yeah, so it's white?
567
00:22:39,625 --> 00:22:41,025
This was painted white,
whatever it was.
568
00:22:41,027 --> 00:22:43,060
So there's not a lot
of metal on t he white bird
569
00:22:43,062 --> 00:22:43,761
[noddin] no.
570
00:22:43,863 --> 00:22:44,729
What's on it that's metal?
571
00:22:44,731 --> 00:22:46,364
The three fuel tanks
which were riveted
572
00:22:46,432 --> 00:22:47,665
-[gates] those were riveted?
-They were large.
573
00:22:47,733 --> 00:22:49,700
And this, there are few
other aluminum panels
574
00:22:49,702 --> 00:22:50,601
On the aircraft.
575
00:22:50,603 --> 00:22:51,702
There's stuff
on the belly, right?
576
00:22:51,704 --> 00:22:53,404
[noddin] yeah, it strikes
me as aviation.
577
00:22:53,406 --> 00:22:54,304
Yeah.
578
00:22:54,941 --> 00:22:56,607
So, I mean,
first question I guess
579
00:22:56,609 --> 00:22:57,708
Is there anything
else right here?
580
00:22:57,710 --> 00:22:59,143
Everybody look around
for a second.
581
00:22:59,245 --> 00:23:00,745
Is there anything,
like, right here?
582
00:23:01,714 --> 00:23:04,415
We mark the location
of the find on gps
583
00:23:04,417 --> 00:23:05,816
And fan out in a circle
584
00:23:05,818 --> 00:23:07,418
To search
the surrounding area.
585
00:23:12,425 --> 00:23:13,824
Everybody keep
your eyes open,
586
00:23:13,826 --> 00:23:15,059
Camera as well.
587
00:23:15,061 --> 00:23:16,560
Just anything you see
that looks out of place here.
588
00:23:16,629 --> 00:23:17,895
[chichetto]
whoa, whoa, whoa.
589
00:23:17,897 --> 00:23:18,929
[gates] you got something?
590
00:23:18,931 --> 00:23:19,930
-[chichetto] get up here.
-[noddin] whoa.
591
00:23:19,932 --> 00:23:21,065
-[gates] what is it?
-[chichetto] I don't know.
592
00:23:21,133 --> 00:23:22,500
It looks like an air frame.
593
00:23:22,502 --> 00:23:23,501
[gates] a what?
594
00:23:23,503 --> 00:23:25,102
Holy [bleep] look at this!
595
00:23:32,645 --> 00:23:33,911
[chichetto]
whoa, whoa, whoa.
596
00:23:33,913 --> 00:23:34,912
[gates] you got something?
597
00:23:34,914 --> 00:23:36,013
-[chichetto] get up here.
-[noddin] whoa.
598
00:23:36,015 --> 00:23:37,148
-[gates] what is it?
-[chichett] I don't know.
599
00:23:37,216 --> 00:23:38,616
It looks like an air frame.
600
00:23:38,618 --> 00:23:39,517
[gates] a what?
601
00:23:39,519 --> 00:23:41,419
Holy [bleep] look at this!
602
00:23:41,421 --> 00:23:44,121
In the wilds of maine,
searching for the remains
603
00:23:44,123 --> 00:23:46,357
Of the legendary plane,
the white bird,
604
00:23:46,459 --> 00:23:50,027
We found what might be
a piece of aviation history
605
00:23:50,029 --> 00:23:52,062
[laughing]... That's a wreck.
606
00:23:54,300 --> 00:23:56,434
-[noddin] whoa, whoa, whoa.
-[gates] yeah.
607
00:23:56,502 --> 00:23:58,536
-That's an airplane wreck.
-[chichetto]
that's an airplane.
608
00:23:59,705 --> 00:24:01,138
[gates] that's a [bleep]
airplane, yes?
609
00:24:01,207 --> 00:24:02,239
[chichetto] yeah,
it's an airplane.
610
00:24:02,341 --> 00:24:03,507
Come here, bring your
camera over here.
611
00:24:03,509 --> 00:24:05,209
Look, there's wood
in this.
612
00:24:05,211 --> 00:24:06,444
This is part of the plane.
613
00:24:07,180 --> 00:24:08,579
-Right?
-[noddin] yep.
614
00:24:08,581 --> 00:24:09,447
This is actually part
of the construction
of the plane.
615
00:24:09,449 --> 00:24:10,648
[noddin] yeah, that's
the voice bar, yes.
616
00:24:10,749 --> 00:24:12,416
Right, you've got
a wooden wing spar.
617
00:24:12,418 --> 00:24:15,252
I mean, this thing is what,
twenties, thirties?
618
00:24:15,321 --> 00:24:16,053
[noddin] yep.
619
00:24:16,122 --> 00:24:17,087
Early aircraft.
620
00:24:17,089 --> 00:24:18,656
[gates] that's amazing.
621
00:24:18,658 --> 00:24:20,825
-Josh, look around that tree,
at the base right there.
-[gates] the ring?
622
00:24:20,827 --> 00:24:22,126
-[noddin] yeah, that's--
-[gates] ain't that
a collector?
623
00:24:22,128 --> 00:24:23,627
[noddin] that's
an exhaust collector.
624
00:24:23,629 --> 00:24:25,329
-That's from
the radio engine?
-[noddin] yeah.
625
00:24:25,331 --> 00:24:26,564
[gates] so did the tree
grow through it?
626
00:24:26,665 --> 00:24:27,565
[noddin] the tree
has grown up through it
627
00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:28,933
Over the years, yes.
628
00:24:29,034 --> 00:24:30,634
Well that gives us some
idea of how long
629
00:24:30,703 --> 00:24:31,602
This plane has been here.
630
00:24:31,604 --> 00:24:33,204
We've gotta be
in the right era.
631
00:24:33,206 --> 00:24:33,938
[noddin] yeah.
632
00:24:33,940 --> 00:24:34,939
[gates] whoa, whoa.
633
00:24:35,708 --> 00:24:36,941
Is that fuel? Or oil?
634
00:24:36,943 --> 00:24:39,210
That's a portable fuel can.
635
00:24:39,212 --> 00:24:41,111
That's one of those
four gallon portable fuel cans
636
00:24:41,113 --> 00:24:42,580
They used to fuel
the aircraft with.
637
00:24:42,582 --> 00:24:45,115
Do you have any sense
of what this is?
638
00:24:45,117 --> 00:24:47,251
[noddin] it's an aircraft,
it's not our aircraft.
639
00:24:47,353 --> 00:24:49,453
This is welded steel frame.
640
00:24:49,522 --> 00:24:50,921
Right, it's not
the white bird.
641
00:24:53,025 --> 00:24:54,625
So what is it?
642
00:24:54,627 --> 00:24:56,460
-See that piece of aluminum
right there on the wind spar?
-[gates] yeah.
643
00:24:56,562 --> 00:24:57,561
[noddin] that piece
of aluminum right there
644
00:24:57,630 --> 00:24:58,963
Is very distinctive
645
00:24:59,031 --> 00:25:02,199
To the early fairchild
bush planes.
646
00:25:02,201 --> 00:25:04,235
It was an old canadian
mail plane
647
00:25:04,303 --> 00:25:07,204
That went down
around 1930.
648
00:25:07,206 --> 00:25:10,040
The canadian airways
fairchild 71
649
00:25:10,042 --> 00:25:11,609
Was on an early postal rout
650
00:25:11,611 --> 00:25:13,210
Between saint john,
new brunswick
651
00:25:13,212 --> 00:25:14,712
And montreal, quebec.
652
00:25:14,714 --> 00:25:17,948
When the engine on the plan
quite and refused to restart
653
00:25:18,050 --> 00:25:20,251
Both the pilot
and mechanic aboard
654
00:25:20,319 --> 00:25:21,819
Survived and hiked out.
655
00:25:21,821 --> 00:25:24,455
But the aircraft was lost
to the wilderness.
656
00:25:24,557 --> 00:25:26,524
Has anybody been
out here to see this?
657
00:25:26,526 --> 00:25:28,058
No, I'm not sure anybody
has ever found it
658
00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:28,959
And photographed it.
659
00:25:29,529 --> 00:25:31,128
That's nuts.
660
00:25:31,130 --> 00:25:34,064
I mean, this is a piece
of history sitting here.
661
00:25:34,133 --> 00:25:35,699
This is a very
historic site.
662
00:25:35,701 --> 00:25:37,501
And that's why
we look for these things.
663
00:25:37,503 --> 00:25:40,804
[gates] and to think that
nobody's been out here
664
00:25:40,806 --> 00:25:44,241
To see this thing since
two guys crawled out of it
665
00:25:44,343 --> 00:25:46,544
Almost a hundred years
ago is insane.
666
00:25:46,612 --> 00:25:49,313
For a second I saw
the white bird but, no.
667
00:25:49,315 --> 00:25:50,748
Hey, I'll take it.
668
00:25:50,849 --> 00:25:51,849
Outstanding.
669
00:25:51,917 --> 00:25:53,217
Nice work, guys.
670
00:25:53,219 --> 00:25:55,119
Another aviation
mystery solved.
671
00:25:55,788 --> 00:25:57,354
Our expedition in the woods
672
00:25:57,423 --> 00:25:59,456
Has revealed the lost
resting place
673
00:25:59,525 --> 00:26:01,058
Of a missing aircraft.
674
00:26:01,060 --> 00:26:04,061
Peter and james will continu
to document the wreck
675
00:26:04,063 --> 00:26:06,530
And scour the forest
for other evidence.
676
00:26:06,532 --> 00:26:07,698
But as for me,
677
00:26:07,700 --> 00:26:09,500
Maine is not the only place
678
00:26:09,502 --> 00:26:12,303
Where the white bird
is being hunted.
679
00:26:12,305 --> 00:26:15,606
I pack my bags so I can
travel to my third country
680
00:26:15,608 --> 00:26:18,609
On nungesser's trail,
800 miles north,
681
00:26:18,611 --> 00:26:20,611
In newfoundland, canada.
682
00:26:29,422 --> 00:26:31,655
Welcome to the island
of newfoundland.
683
00:26:31,724 --> 00:26:34,458
A place I have always
wanted to visit.
684
00:26:34,527 --> 00:26:36,860
Behind me is the eastern
most point
685
00:26:36,929 --> 00:26:38,529
In all of north america.
686
00:26:38,531 --> 00:26:41,498
And below, nestled
in this rocky harbor
687
00:26:41,500 --> 00:26:42,633
Is st. John's.
688
00:26:42,702 --> 00:26:45,502
The oldest european
founded city
689
00:26:45,504 --> 00:26:46,470
On the continent.
690
00:26:47,239 --> 00:26:48,906
The official name
of the province
691
00:26:48,908 --> 00:26:50,908
Is newfoundland and labrador
692
00:26:50,910 --> 00:26:52,309
And if you're a dog person
693
00:26:52,311 --> 00:26:54,511
You know exactly what
I'm about to cut to.
694
00:26:55,348 --> 00:26:56,547
I don't know whose
dog this is
695
00:26:56,649 --> 00:26:59,216
But you're coming
home with me.
696
00:26:59,218 --> 00:27:00,818
Oh, you are the best dog.
697
00:27:02,355 --> 00:27:05,656
St. John's is home
to wildly dramatic shoreline
698
00:27:05,724 --> 00:27:07,358
And rainbow hued homes
699
00:27:07,459 --> 00:27:09,226
Designed to lift
people's spirits
700
00:27:09,228 --> 00:27:10,828
During dark winter months.
701
00:27:10,830 --> 00:27:11,962
Which around here,
702
00:27:12,031 --> 00:27:13,998
Are basically all
but three of them.
703
00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:14,832
[military call]
704
00:27:15,701 --> 00:27:16,700
[gates] but fear not.
705
00:27:16,702 --> 00:27:18,402
The locals will
warm your spirits.
706
00:27:18,404 --> 00:27:20,004
And so will the booze.
707
00:27:20,740 --> 00:27:21,605
Whoo.
708
00:27:21,607 --> 00:27:22,640
-Welcome...
-[man] welcome.
709
00:27:22,708 --> 00:27:23,507
...To newfoundland.
710
00:27:23,509 --> 00:27:24,808
[guests cheering]
711
00:27:24,810 --> 00:27:25,743
[gates] I could
spend a week
712
00:27:25,811 --> 00:27:27,111
Walking though st. John's
713
00:27:27,113 --> 00:27:29,213
But I have an appointment
at the rooms
714
00:27:30,449 --> 00:27:32,449
A museum dedicated
to preserving
715
00:27:32,551 --> 00:27:34,918
Newfoundland's rich
cultural legacy.
716
00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:37,254
Waiting for me
is the executive director
717
00:27:37,356 --> 00:27:40,758
Of the international
group for historic
aircraft recovery,
718
00:27:40,859 --> 00:27:42,393
My old friend, ric gillespie
719
00:27:42,395 --> 00:27:43,427
Hey, hey.
720
00:27:43,429 --> 00:27:45,763
-Ric, how are ya?
-Hey, josh, how ya doing?
721
00:27:45,831 --> 00:27:47,498
-I'm good, good
to see ya, man.
-Good to see ya.
722
00:27:47,500 --> 00:27:50,034
Long time exu fans
will remember ric
723
00:27:50,102 --> 00:27:52,503
From the very first episode
of this show.
724
00:27:52,505 --> 00:27:54,705
When he helped educate me
about the search
725
00:27:54,707 --> 00:27:56,840
For amelia earhart's
lost plane.
726
00:27:56,909 --> 00:27:58,108
And now, here we are
727
00:27:58,110 --> 00:28:00,444
Talking about another
great aviation mystery.
728
00:28:01,113 --> 00:28:02,413
Just as big a mystery
729
00:28:02,415 --> 00:28:03,947
And a more important mystery.
730
00:28:04,049 --> 00:28:07,084
This might be the most
important
731
00:28:07,086 --> 00:28:08,952
Missing airplane in history.
732
00:28:09,021 --> 00:28:10,654
And one of the least known.
733
00:28:10,756 --> 00:28:13,357
That's one of the things
that really drew me
to this story.
734
00:28:13,426 --> 00:28:14,625
To many people
in the states
735
00:28:14,627 --> 00:28:15,592
It's just unknown.
736
00:28:15,594 --> 00:28:16,693
[gillespie] that's right.
737
00:28:16,695 --> 00:28:20,330
And the white bird
and it's disappearance
738
00:28:20,332 --> 00:28:24,201
Is a key to the lindbergh
triumph.
739
00:28:24,203 --> 00:28:25,302
[gates] right.
740
00:28:25,304 --> 00:28:28,338
If these guys had succeeded
in flying the atlantic
741
00:28:28,407 --> 00:28:30,808
Lindbergh would not
have flown the atlantic.
742
00:28:30,810 --> 00:28:33,043
And every school child
in america
743
00:28:33,045 --> 00:28:35,646
Would know the names
of charles nungesser
744
00:28:35,715 --> 00:28:37,614
And francois coli
and l'oiseau blanc.
745
00:28:37,616 --> 00:28:39,216
That's right,
it'd be a different world.
746
00:28:39,218 --> 00:28:41,819
Now, there have been
a lot of theories
747
00:28:41,821 --> 00:28:44,088
As to where the white bird
disappeared.
748
00:28:44,090 --> 00:28:45,322
I've been to maine.
749
00:28:45,324 --> 00:28:46,457
You've looked there
as well, right?
750
00:28:46,525 --> 00:28:48,292
For eight years
we looked in maine.
751
00:28:48,294 --> 00:28:50,260
Right. You have
another theory
752
00:28:50,362 --> 00:28:52,196
That's brought me here
in st. John's?
753
00:28:52,198 --> 00:28:54,064
No, I have evidence
754
00:28:54,066 --> 00:28:55,599
That brought you here
to st. John's.
755
00:28:55,601 --> 00:28:56,867
I love this, okay.
756
00:28:56,968 --> 00:28:59,036
How convinced are you
that the white bird is her?
757
00:28:59,105 --> 00:29:01,405
Well, let me show you
the newfoundland evidence.
758
00:29:01,407 --> 00:29:03,607
Ric has been
scouring the archives
759
00:29:03,609 --> 00:29:04,808
Here at the rooms
760
00:29:04,810 --> 00:29:08,412
And has uncovered
sworn affidavits from 1927.
761
00:29:08,414 --> 00:29:10,614
Witnesses to what
ric believes
762
00:29:10,616 --> 00:29:12,116
Could be the white bird.
763
00:29:12,685 --> 00:29:14,151
I, james peddle,
764
00:29:14,253 --> 00:29:15,719
Was walking out
of cottage road
765
00:29:15,721 --> 00:29:18,122
When I heard the sound
like an airplane
766
00:29:18,124 --> 00:29:19,823
Out of the northeast.
767
00:29:19,825 --> 00:29:22,059
About two minutes
after hearing this sound
768
00:29:22,061 --> 00:29:25,429
I saw what I am certain
was an airplane of white color
769
00:29:25,531 --> 00:29:26,530
For a few moments,
770
00:29:26,532 --> 00:29:28,699
Then she turned quickly
about south.
771
00:29:28,701 --> 00:29:30,300
Using these witness statemen
772
00:29:30,302 --> 00:29:33,403
Ric has been able to establi
a potential flight path
773
00:29:33,405 --> 00:29:34,438
For the white bird.
774
00:29:34,540 --> 00:29:36,140
But there are some
that have told ric
775
00:29:36,208 --> 00:29:38,308
Not just about the position
of the plane
776
00:29:38,310 --> 00:29:40,210
But her condition as well.
777
00:29:40,212 --> 00:29:42,646
One such witness
was john dobbins.
778
00:29:42,715 --> 00:29:45,783
[ric] dobbins sees
and airplane
779
00:29:45,785 --> 00:29:47,851
Headed toward red head.
780
00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:50,821
Which is a terrain feature
along this coastline.
781
00:29:50,823 --> 00:29:53,190
Tall, red-colored cliff.
782
00:29:53,192 --> 00:29:54,658
Very prominent feature.
783
00:29:55,828 --> 00:29:58,629
He's cutting wood
and he sees an airplane
784
00:29:58,631 --> 00:30:02,032
That he says is, uh,
trailing white smoke.
785
00:30:02,034 --> 00:30:02,933
[gates] white smoke?
786
00:30:02,935 --> 00:30:03,801
[gillespie]
an airplane on fire
787
00:30:03,803 --> 00:30:04,835
Doesn't trail white smoke.
788
00:30:04,904 --> 00:30:06,003
It trails black smoke.
789
00:30:06,005 --> 00:30:07,136
[gates] big time.
790
00:30:07,138 --> 00:30:10,641
Well, the white bird
had a liquid cool engine
791
00:30:10,742 --> 00:30:14,411
And if one of the coolant
pipes ruptured
792
00:30:14,413 --> 00:30:18,448
The airplane is going to trail
a huge cloud of white steam.
793
00:30:18,517 --> 00:30:20,851
[gates] and one person
ric discovered
794
00:30:20,920 --> 00:30:22,853
May even have been
an ear witness
795
00:30:22,922 --> 00:30:25,055
To the white bird's
final moments.
796
00:30:25,157 --> 00:30:27,724
Nicholas mcgraw,
on the red head river
797
00:30:27,726 --> 00:30:30,894
Hears three loud
explosions
798
00:30:30,896 --> 00:30:33,063
Off in the distance,
boom, boom, boom.
799
00:30:33,065 --> 00:30:35,199
It has no explanation.
800
00:30:35,201 --> 00:30:37,034
So your theory is that,
what happens?
801
00:30:37,135 --> 00:30:39,136
The white bird had
three fuel tanks
802
00:30:39,205 --> 00:30:40,604
Lined up right behind
the engine.
803
00:30:40,606 --> 00:30:44,308
He's gotta find calm water
to land this airplane on.
804
00:30:44,310 --> 00:30:46,944
And sure enough,
he turns inland
805
00:30:46,946 --> 00:30:51,415
And the first acceptable
pond, it's the gull pond.
806
00:30:51,417 --> 00:30:54,518
But because the white bird
is what it is
807
00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:56,520
With these three
big fuel tanks
808
00:30:56,522 --> 00:30:57,554
And an engine way out there,
809
00:30:57,623 --> 00:31:00,958
He can't see over
the nose at all.
810
00:31:00,960 --> 00:31:03,327
What he doesn't see
811
00:31:03,329 --> 00:31:06,063
Is a rocky island
in the middle of the pond.
812
00:31:06,131 --> 00:31:07,497
And he lands...
813
00:31:07,499 --> 00:31:08,531
[claps hands]
814
00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:11,535
...Touches down,
hits that island.
815
00:31:11,604 --> 00:31:16,106
So, we actually can
complete the line
816
00:31:16,108 --> 00:31:18,208
Down the coast to...
817
00:31:18,210 --> 00:31:20,944
Across the bay
to red head.
818
00:31:21,046 --> 00:31:22,312
-[gates] right.
-[gillespie] to the gull pon
819
00:31:22,314 --> 00:31:24,281
There are accounts
of wreckage out there?
820
00:31:24,349 --> 00:31:27,584
It is an established story.
821
00:31:27,586 --> 00:31:29,319
Oh, with the gull pond, yeah.
822
00:31:29,321 --> 00:31:31,054
That's the pond
with the plane in it.
823
00:31:31,056 --> 00:31:32,089
Wow.
824
00:31:32,091 --> 00:31:35,559
And so, have you been
out to this place?
825
00:31:35,628 --> 00:31:36,760
Have you been
to gull pond?
826
00:31:36,829 --> 00:31:39,129
I have been to the pond,
many times.
827
00:31:39,131 --> 00:31:41,098
I assume when
you went out there
828
00:31:41,100 --> 00:31:43,200
You didn't find, uh,
the wreckage of a plane
829
00:31:43,202 --> 00:31:45,202
Just sitting on that
little rocky island.
830
00:31:45,204 --> 00:31:46,637
No we didn't.
831
00:31:46,705 --> 00:31:48,839
But we did find something.
832
00:31:48,841 --> 00:31:50,908
-You did find
something out there?
-Yes.
833
00:31:50,910 --> 00:31:52,943
-You wanna see it?
-You have it?
834
00:31:53,012 --> 00:31:55,412
It's right here
in the archives.
835
00:31:56,615 --> 00:31:57,948
[gates] ric brings me down
836
00:31:57,950 --> 00:31:59,850
To the museum's
special collections
837
00:31:59,919 --> 00:32:01,718
Where director lori temple,
838
00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:04,354
Has something
very special indeed.
839
00:32:04,456 --> 00:32:07,224
So, you have something
here that ric found?
840
00:32:07,226 --> 00:32:08,191
I do.
841
00:32:08,260 --> 00:32:09,559
This is the highlight
of the collection
842
00:32:09,661 --> 00:32:10,727
Here at the rooms, right?
843
00:32:10,729 --> 00:32:13,363
It is one of the many
treasures but my favorite.
844
00:32:15,434 --> 00:32:17,200
Get out of here.
845
00:32:22,775 --> 00:32:24,441
You found this
out at that pond?
846
00:32:25,644 --> 00:32:27,210
Get out of here.
847
00:32:27,212 --> 00:32:29,046
[gillespie] we found
it with a metal detector
848
00:32:29,048 --> 00:32:33,250
Off the end of a little
rocky island
849
00:32:33,319 --> 00:32:35,118
In the middle
of the gull pond.
850
00:32:35,120 --> 00:32:37,721
[gates] aviation
investigator, ric gillespie
851
00:32:37,723 --> 00:32:39,122
Believes this debris
852
00:32:39,124 --> 00:32:41,525
Might be from the
legendary lost plane,
853
00:32:41,527 --> 00:32:43,060
The white bird.
854
00:32:43,128 --> 00:32:44,528
Can we inspect it?
855
00:32:44,530 --> 00:32:47,164
Sure, uh, we'll just
put some gloves on.
856
00:32:47,232 --> 00:32:48,231
Sure.
857
00:32:50,502 --> 00:32:53,303
Is there anything
on it that's diagnostic?
858
00:32:53,305 --> 00:32:54,938
I mean is there
any rivets
859
00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:57,407
Or any markings
that we can discern on it?
860
00:32:57,409 --> 00:33:00,711
[gillespie] the only thing
on it is paint.
861
00:33:00,713 --> 00:33:02,245
Oh, look at that, yes.
862
00:33:02,347 --> 00:33:04,748
Yeah, kind of a light
blue, gray paint.
863
00:33:04,817 --> 00:33:08,151
[gillespie] and the steel
parts of the white bird
864
00:33:08,253 --> 00:33:10,020
Were painted gray blue.
865
00:33:10,022 --> 00:33:14,458
I mean, I have seen
the only part the white bir
that's left.
866
00:33:14,526 --> 00:33:15,959
And there is paint on it
867
00:33:15,995 --> 00:33:17,828
That looks really
similar to that.
868
00:33:17,830 --> 00:33:18,662
I mean, there is.
869
00:33:20,666 --> 00:33:23,200
Whatever this is,
it has a story
870
00:33:23,202 --> 00:33:25,502
We just don't know
what its story is.
871
00:33:25,504 --> 00:33:27,804
All right, so,
is there more out there?
872
00:33:27,806 --> 00:33:29,606
I mean, one thing
I've never heard
873
00:33:29,608 --> 00:33:31,775
Is anybody saying
they pulled an engine block
874
00:33:31,777 --> 00:33:32,676
Out of that pond.
875
00:33:32,678 --> 00:33:35,245
No, which
if it's the white bird,
876
00:33:35,347 --> 00:33:36,913
Weighed almost
a thousand pounds
877
00:33:36,915 --> 00:33:39,950
And was roughly
as big as the table
we're standing at.
878
00:33:40,652 --> 00:33:41,818
So where is it?
879
00:33:41,820 --> 00:33:43,820
Could it be out
at that pond?
880
00:33:43,822 --> 00:33:46,523
There's only
one way to know.
881
00:33:46,525 --> 00:33:47,824
We have to go look.
882
00:33:50,629 --> 00:33:52,029
[gates] with fog rolling in
883
00:33:52,031 --> 00:33:53,663
Bad weather
in the forecast
884
00:33:53,765 --> 00:33:55,799
And no roads
to gull pond
885
00:33:55,801 --> 00:33:57,534
This is gonna be interesting
886
00:33:57,636 --> 00:33:58,702
Let's do it.
887
00:33:58,704 --> 00:33:59,736
Here we go.
888
00:34:05,277 --> 00:34:06,509
The trip takes us
889
00:34:06,511 --> 00:34:08,945
Over some of the most
remote terrain on earth.
890
00:34:08,981 --> 00:34:12,816
An endless expanse
of rocks, bogs and ponds.
891
00:34:14,720 --> 00:34:16,353
Yeah, once you get
outside the city
892
00:34:16,455 --> 00:34:17,554
It's just wilderness.
893
00:34:18,057 --> 00:34:19,288
It's incredible.
894
00:34:19,290 --> 00:34:21,725
We got the, uh, caribou
over here at three o'clock.
895
00:34:21,827 --> 00:34:23,927
[gates] look at that,
beautiful.
896
00:34:23,929 --> 00:34:25,595
Wow.
897
00:34:25,597 --> 00:34:28,098
We're coming up
on red head.
898
00:34:28,100 --> 00:34:29,833
These cliffs right here.
899
00:34:29,935 --> 00:34:33,103
We are now, really,
in the exact place
900
00:34:33,105 --> 00:34:35,305
Where dobbins saw
this airplane
901
00:34:35,307 --> 00:34:36,106
For the last time.
902
00:34:36,108 --> 00:34:38,041
Point last seen, right here.
903
00:34:40,813 --> 00:34:43,513
We're doing about
a hundred, 110 knots
904
00:34:43,515 --> 00:34:45,949
Which is just what
the white bird
would've been doing.
905
00:34:46,051 --> 00:34:49,619
They're coming in this hot,
no landing gear, no wheels.
906
00:34:49,621 --> 00:34:50,620
[gillespie] that's right.
907
00:34:50,622 --> 00:34:52,222
[gates] I mean, I can
totally understand now
908
00:34:52,224 --> 00:34:53,957
And put myself
in this position of, like,
909
00:34:54,025 --> 00:34:56,026
Desperately looking
for a place to land.
910
00:34:57,062 --> 00:34:59,029
[gillespie] josh,
this is gull pond.
911
00:34:59,031 --> 00:35:00,564
-[gates] this is it?
-[gillespie]
this is the place.
912
00:35:00,632 --> 00:35:03,934
And this is for sure,
the largest body of water
913
00:35:04,002 --> 00:35:05,101
I've seen out here.
914
00:35:05,103 --> 00:35:07,637
This is a place you could
try to put a plane down,
915
00:35:07,706 --> 00:35:08,538
For sure.
916
00:35:08,640 --> 00:35:09,806
Now where's that island?
917
00:35:10,409 --> 00:35:11,408
Right over here.
918
00:35:11,410 --> 00:35:12,809
[gates] so all those stories
919
00:35:12,811 --> 00:35:14,244
And the metal
that you found
920
00:35:14,346 --> 00:35:15,445
From that little island?
921
00:35:15,547 --> 00:35:16,579
[gillespie] yep.
922
00:35:16,581 --> 00:35:18,949
Okay, now we just gotta
find a place to land.
923
00:35:20,819 --> 00:35:23,420
The helicopter drops us off
to meet ric's team
924
00:35:23,422 --> 00:35:25,055
Who have already
choppered in.
925
00:35:25,057 --> 00:35:28,058
Magnetic imaging experts
and drone operators,
926
00:35:28,060 --> 00:35:30,961
Kiyavash parvar
and andrew gagnon-nandram,
927
00:35:31,029 --> 00:35:33,663
And airplane archaeologist,
lisa daly.
928
00:35:33,732 --> 00:35:36,099
Okay, let's talk about
this beast right here.
929
00:35:36,101 --> 00:35:37,601
This is a drone?
930
00:35:37,603 --> 00:35:40,537
Yeah, right here we have
a commercial
multi-copter drone.
931
00:35:40,639 --> 00:35:44,207
-Okay.
-That we use for
geophysical surveys.
932
00:35:44,209 --> 00:35:47,677
Andrew has mounted
a powerful magnetometer
to his drone,
933
00:35:47,679 --> 00:35:49,146
Allowing him to conduct
934
00:35:49,214 --> 00:35:52,048
The first ever aerial
mag scan of the lake.
935
00:35:52,150 --> 00:35:54,951
The hope, is to get a hit
on the aircraft's engine.
936
00:35:55,053 --> 00:35:56,720
What we're hoping
to detect
937
00:35:56,722 --> 00:35:59,723
Is probably the only
thing that's left
938
00:35:59,725 --> 00:36:01,057
Of the white bird.
939
00:36:01,126 --> 00:36:03,894
Because the airplane
was wood and fabric
940
00:36:03,896 --> 00:36:05,762
And it blew up
and burned.
941
00:36:05,864 --> 00:36:08,098
The hypothesis
that we're testing
942
00:36:08,100 --> 00:36:11,434
Is that the airplane
came in from the east,
943
00:36:11,503 --> 00:36:13,336
Attempted to land
on the pond
944
00:36:13,405 --> 00:36:15,605
And struck this rocky island.
945
00:36:15,607 --> 00:36:16,840
You're gonna press go
946
00:36:16,942 --> 00:36:18,308
And it's gonna follow
its gps track
947
00:36:18,310 --> 00:36:19,309
And start surveying.
948
00:36:19,311 --> 00:36:21,211
-Mowing the lawn.
-Mowing the lawn, exactly.
949
00:36:21,213 --> 00:36:22,812
All right, mow away,
let's do it.
950
00:36:25,517 --> 00:36:27,017
The drone lifts off
951
00:36:27,019 --> 00:36:30,220
And begins its pre-programme
grid over the pond.
952
00:36:30,222 --> 00:36:32,055
Flying a hundred
feet in the air,
953
00:36:32,057 --> 00:36:34,758
To cover almost a hundred
acres of territory
954
00:36:34,859 --> 00:36:37,961
In a fraction of the time
it would take from the groun
955
00:36:37,963 --> 00:36:41,264
So, how long's it gonna
take to scan this whole pond?
956
00:36:41,333 --> 00:36:45,101
[gangnon-nandram] the whole
lake will take about
three to four hours to fly.
957
00:36:45,103 --> 00:36:46,603
All right, so we got
some time on our hands.
958
00:36:53,946 --> 00:36:55,212
A few hours later
959
00:36:55,214 --> 00:36:58,215
The drone has landed
and the data is in.
960
00:36:58,217 --> 00:37:01,484
I'm excited to see
if we've bagged
the white bird.
961
00:37:01,486 --> 00:37:03,453
So walk us through
the color patterning first.
962
00:37:03,555 --> 00:37:06,223
[gangnon-nandram] so, uh,
blue would be low
magnetic intensity
963
00:37:06,225 --> 00:37:09,059
And the reds into
the purples and the pinks
964
00:37:09,160 --> 00:37:10,627
Are the higher end.
965
00:37:10,629 --> 00:37:12,062
So the bed rock here
966
00:37:12,130 --> 00:37:13,663
Does have a lot
of magnetic signal.
967
00:37:13,699 --> 00:37:15,165
So what we're looking
for here
968
00:37:15,233 --> 00:37:17,200
Is a few of the smaller
outliers
969
00:37:17,202 --> 00:37:18,735
That sort of don't
fit the pattern,
970
00:37:18,804 --> 00:37:21,104
We can't really explain
based on the geology.
971
00:37:21,106 --> 00:37:23,039
And did you find
targets like that?
972
00:37:23,041 --> 00:37:24,173
Yes.
973
00:37:24,175 --> 00:37:26,409
We have four of five,
uh, suspicious, uh, targets
974
00:37:26,411 --> 00:37:28,712
That, uh, that I cannot
explain geologically.
975
00:37:28,714 --> 00:37:31,248
Like, this one,
kind of like a butterfly thing
976
00:37:31,316 --> 00:37:32,181
As you can see.
977
00:37:32,183 --> 00:37:33,049
-[gillespie] right.
-[gates] yeah.
978
00:37:33,051 --> 00:37:35,418
And that is, uh,
not what geology does
979
00:37:35,420 --> 00:37:36,620
In this area.
980
00:37:36,622 --> 00:37:37,621
[gates] can you show
us where we are
981
00:37:37,623 --> 00:37:38,722
In relation to the island?
982
00:37:38,724 --> 00:37:39,956
[parvar] yeah,
the island is here
983
00:37:40,025 --> 00:37:44,828
And the anomaly
we just saw is over here.
984
00:37:44,830 --> 00:37:47,864
That's why I'm, like,
a little bit more
suspicious of that one.
985
00:37:47,966 --> 00:37:49,699
Second target
is gonna be this one.
986
00:37:49,701 --> 00:37:51,534
[gates] so it's this
here we're talking about?
987
00:37:51,603 --> 00:37:52,602
Right near the island?
988
00:37:52,604 --> 00:37:53,769
-[parvar] yes.
-[gates] okay.
989
00:37:53,771 --> 00:37:55,505
So there's something there
that may not be natural?
990
00:37:55,507 --> 00:37:56,806
[parvar] exactly.
991
00:37:57,609 --> 00:38:00,110
[gates] the scan has reveale
several promising targets
992
00:38:00,112 --> 00:38:01,845
That could support
the theory
993
00:38:01,913 --> 00:38:03,947
That the white bird
crashed on to the small,
994
00:38:04,016 --> 00:38:06,283
Rocky island in the middle
of gull pond.
995
00:38:06,285 --> 00:38:08,618
Now we just need
to get a closer look.
996
00:38:08,620 --> 00:38:11,621
If there are answers
that's where they are.
997
00:38:11,623 --> 00:38:13,757
[gates] to check out
our targets, we're
gonna need boats.
998
00:38:13,858 --> 00:38:16,226
The good news is we
brought some with us.
999
00:38:16,228 --> 00:38:19,629
The bad news, some
assembly is required.
1000
00:38:19,631 --> 00:38:22,032
Use the hand or a foot
to operate an air pump
1001
00:38:22,034 --> 00:38:23,800
To inflate the boat.
1002
00:38:23,802 --> 00:38:26,703
Inflation must be done
by a trained geologist.
1003
00:38:26,705 --> 00:38:28,305
It's a good thing
we're here then.
1004
00:38:28,307 --> 00:38:30,507
Just trying to get out of it.
1005
00:38:30,509 --> 00:38:33,310
Fill each chamber
till it is stiff to the touch
1006
00:38:33,312 --> 00:38:34,344
But not hard.
1007
00:38:37,049 --> 00:38:38,014
Moving on.
1008
00:38:42,921 --> 00:38:44,721
I got it, ric, I got it.
1009
00:38:44,723 --> 00:38:45,922
I know you do.
1010
00:38:45,924 --> 00:38:47,157
[all giggling]
1011
00:38:49,861 --> 00:38:51,628
White bird meet
the white boat.
1012
00:38:53,332 --> 00:38:54,998
The water is near freezing
1013
00:38:55,000 --> 00:38:57,033
So we don immersion suits.
1014
00:38:57,135 --> 00:38:58,802
This far from civilization
1015
00:38:58,804 --> 00:39:01,705
Hypothermia is not somethin
you wanna mess with.
1016
00:39:01,707 --> 00:39:04,808
Then, it's finally
time to launch.
1017
00:39:04,810 --> 00:39:07,644
Here we go, nice and slow,
it's slippery out here.
1018
00:39:07,713 --> 00:39:09,946
And if you fall, fall
toward the boat.
1019
00:39:10,048 --> 00:39:10,947
It's good advice.
1020
00:39:11,016 --> 00:39:12,081
[daly laughing] yeah.
1021
00:39:14,019 --> 00:39:15,352
[gates] and hey,
speaking of engines
1022
00:39:15,420 --> 00:39:17,520
Our portable boat
doesn't have one.
1023
00:39:17,522 --> 00:39:20,056
But hey, no motor
no problem.
1024
00:39:24,529 --> 00:39:26,429
There's really no good
place to bring this ashore
1025
00:39:26,431 --> 00:39:28,698
So let's really slowly
try to walk it in here.
1026
00:39:28,700 --> 00:39:30,133
Watch out for
the sharp rocks.
1027
00:39:32,838 --> 00:39:35,905
So, where did you find
that piece of metal?
1028
00:39:35,907 --> 00:39:38,608
Right off this end
of the island, right in there.
1029
00:39:38,610 --> 00:39:40,343
[gates] right in...
Okay, well,
1030
00:39:40,412 --> 00:39:42,512
We got strong
metal detectors with us,
1031
00:39:42,514 --> 00:39:45,148
We'll definitely scan
this whole area again.
1032
00:39:45,183 --> 00:39:46,716
Maybe we'll get lucky,
who knows.?
1033
00:39:49,721 --> 00:39:51,621
Hey, ric, I'm gonna start
scanning over here
1034
00:39:51,623 --> 00:39:52,922
And work my around to you.
1035
00:39:54,126 --> 00:39:57,127
It shouldn't take long
to cover an island this smal
1036
00:39:57,129 --> 00:39:59,229
But the terrain turns
a simple task
1037
00:39:59,231 --> 00:40:00,964
Into an arduous affair.
1038
00:40:00,966 --> 00:40:03,099
I mean, it's so rocky here
1039
00:40:03,101 --> 00:40:05,402
With so many little nooks.
1040
00:40:05,404 --> 00:40:08,304
Who knows, there could be
debris anywhere out here.
1041
00:40:09,741 --> 00:40:11,007
Nothing out here.
1042
00:40:11,009 --> 00:40:13,143
-Ric, you got anything
in there?
-No.
1043
00:40:18,417 --> 00:40:19,716
I'm gonna head a little
further out,
1044
00:40:19,718 --> 00:40:20,950
Maybe we get lucky
out here.
1045
00:40:23,355 --> 00:40:27,424
[metal detector beeping]
1046
00:40:27,426 --> 00:40:29,359
Hey, josh, I got
a hit over here.
1047
00:40:29,461 --> 00:40:30,693
You got something?
1048
00:40:34,533 --> 00:40:37,734
The rooms is a repository
for newfoundland's history.
1049
00:40:37,803 --> 00:40:39,436
Including a personal
connection
1050
00:40:39,504 --> 00:40:41,805
That melanie tucker
us helping me explore
1051
00:40:41,807 --> 00:40:42,939
For the first time.
1052
00:40:43,008 --> 00:40:45,809
So all I really know
1053
00:40:45,811 --> 00:40:48,044
Is that my grandmother
on my father's side
1054
00:40:48,046 --> 00:40:49,212
Came from newfoundland.
1055
00:40:49,214 --> 00:40:51,448
-Okay,
-so, what did you find?
1056
00:40:51,516 --> 00:40:53,950
I looked her up,
found her birth record.
1057
00:40:54,052 --> 00:40:55,718
And we found
her parents' names.
1058
00:40:55,720 --> 00:40:58,054
Samuel and tryphina.
1059
00:40:58,156 --> 00:40:59,756
These are my
great-grandparents?
1060
00:40:59,825 --> 00:41:01,190
That's right.
1061
00:41:01,192 --> 00:41:03,326
And do we know
anything about my
grandmother's siblings?
1062
00:41:03,328 --> 00:41:04,327
About their children?
1063
00:41:04,329 --> 00:41:06,963
Here they are
in the 1945 census.
1064
00:41:07,833 --> 00:41:09,933
John king.
1065
00:41:09,935 --> 00:41:11,401
And they lived
here in st. John's?
1066
00:41:11,403 --> 00:41:12,936
They lived here
in st. John's.
1067
00:41:12,938 --> 00:41:15,205
-She was with
the police department.
-Uh-huh.
1068
00:41:15,207 --> 00:41:17,507
And they were listed
in the 1960s
1069
00:41:17,509 --> 00:41:19,409
As living at one
fort townshend.
1070
00:41:19,411 --> 00:41:20,610
Guess where you're standing?
1071
00:41:21,646 --> 00:41:23,613
-It was here?
-This is fort townshend.
1072
00:41:23,615 --> 00:41:26,115
-They lived right here?
-They lived on this spot.
1073
00:41:26,117 --> 00:41:28,051
So you're telling me
I own this whole place?
1074
00:41:28,119 --> 00:41:30,520
Is that... This is all mine
everybody.
1075
00:41:35,093 --> 00:41:35,959
[metal detector beeping]
1076
00:41:35,961 --> 00:41:37,727
Hey, josh, I got
a hit over here.
1077
00:41:37,729 --> 00:41:38,695
You got something?
1078
00:41:38,697 --> 00:41:40,230
Well, I got a hit.
1079
00:41:40,232 --> 00:41:43,099
[gates] aviation investigato
ric gillespie and I
1080
00:41:43,101 --> 00:41:46,402
Are hunting the lost plane
known as the white bird.
1081
00:41:46,404 --> 00:41:48,638
And we might just
have found something.
1082
00:41:48,740 --> 00:41:49,739
Okay, what do you got?
1083
00:41:49,841 --> 00:41:53,042
Good news is, I've got
a strong hit.
1084
00:41:53,044 --> 00:41:57,113
The bad news is,
it's under a giant rock.
1085
00:41:57,115 --> 00:41:58,414
Big, black rock.
1086
00:42:02,020 --> 00:42:03,019
Oh, yeah?
1087
00:42:03,855 --> 00:42:05,121
I got it.
1088
00:42:05,123 --> 00:42:08,424
[metal detector beeping]
1089
00:42:08,426 --> 00:42:09,525
Something there.
1090
00:42:09,594 --> 00:42:12,095
[gillespie] let's think
about this for a second.
1091
00:42:12,097 --> 00:42:13,530
Rock doesn't grow.
1092
00:42:13,532 --> 00:42:15,798
[gates chuckling] no.
1093
00:42:15,800 --> 00:42:18,401
[gillespie] and we're not
getting any
return off the rocks.
1094
00:42:18,403 --> 00:42:20,637
-It's not like we've got
hot rocks here.
-[gates] no.
1095
00:42:20,705 --> 00:42:22,805
[gillespie] so it's gotta
be a piece of metal
1096
00:42:22,807 --> 00:42:25,041
That got under that
rock somehow.
1097
00:42:26,411 --> 00:42:27,510
Hold this, will you?
1098
00:42:28,413 --> 00:42:29,812
You're gonna
pick up the rock?
1099
00:42:29,814 --> 00:42:30,914
I'm not that strong.
1100
00:42:30,916 --> 00:42:32,315
Your josh gates, come on.
1101
00:42:32,317 --> 00:42:33,516
[gates laughing]
1102
00:42:33,518 --> 00:42:36,719
But I may be able
to reach down a little bit.
1103
00:42:36,721 --> 00:42:37,554
Yeah.
1104
00:42:37,622 --> 00:42:38,821
Come on, what is this?
1105
00:42:39,824 --> 00:42:41,658
Oh, I got something.
1106
00:42:41,759 --> 00:42:44,160
Oh, ow, I just found
something sharp.
1107
00:42:44,262 --> 00:42:45,528
Uh, I got something.
1108
00:42:48,366 --> 00:42:49,532
What is that?
1109
00:42:49,634 --> 00:42:50,833
I don't know.
1110
00:42:51,703 --> 00:42:53,436
[daly] uh, that's
a fishing hook.
1111
00:42:53,505 --> 00:42:55,038
-Is it, no?
-I don't think
that is a fishing hook.
1112
00:42:55,106 --> 00:42:56,706
-[gillespie] it's not
a fish hook
-[daly] no, it's not.
1113
00:42:58,410 --> 00:43:00,343
It's a piece of wire.
1114
00:43:00,411 --> 00:43:02,211
[gillespie] is it safety wire?
1115
00:43:02,213 --> 00:43:04,113
[gates] safety wire
is used to this day
1116
00:43:04,115 --> 00:43:06,215
In order to lock
fasteners in place
1117
00:43:06,217 --> 00:43:09,218
Where vibration could
cause them to loosen
or fall out.
1118
00:43:09,220 --> 00:43:12,255
For example,
in a biplane in 1927.
1119
00:43:13,925 --> 00:43:16,225
I don't know what
that is but it's fascinating
that it's here
1120
00:43:16,227 --> 00:43:18,127
I mean, it's not a piece
of fishing tackle
1121
00:43:18,129 --> 00:43:19,061
-I don't think.
-[daly] yeah.
1122
00:43:19,130 --> 00:43:20,263
I don't know if I broke
it on the end
1123
00:43:20,332 --> 00:43:21,798
Or if there's something
else down there.
1124
00:43:21,800 --> 00:43:23,333
[metal detector beeping]
1125
00:43:23,401 --> 00:43:24,601
-There's more.
-Oh, there is more
1126
00:43:24,603 --> 00:43:26,102
[gates] there's more.
1127
00:43:26,104 --> 00:43:27,303
There's something
sharp here
1128
00:43:27,305 --> 00:43:29,706
I just don't know
if it's a rock, or...
1129
00:43:31,042 --> 00:43:32,408
Trying to free it.
1130
00:43:32,410 --> 00:43:34,711
We've been so busy
digging in the rocks
1131
00:43:34,713 --> 00:43:36,613
We fail to notice
some important,
1132
00:43:36,615 --> 00:43:38,081
Big picture details.
1133
00:43:38,083 --> 00:43:39,215
[dave]
josh, you there?
1134
00:43:39,283 --> 00:43:40,817
[gates] as I learn when
my producer, dave,
1135
00:43:40,819 --> 00:43:42,018
Calls on the radio.
1136
00:43:42,020 --> 00:43:42,719
[radio beeping]
1137
00:43:42,721 --> 00:43:43,753
What's going on, dave?
1138
00:43:43,822 --> 00:43:45,355
[dave speaking]
1139
00:43:45,423 --> 00:43:46,288
[radio beeping]
1140
00:43:46,290 --> 00:43:47,457
Like, coming in right
this second,
1141
00:43:47,558 --> 00:43:48,358
We need to leave?
1142
00:43:48,360 --> 00:43:50,293
Or coming in sooner
than expected?
1143
00:43:50,295 --> 00:43:51,961
[dave speaking]
1144
00:43:53,531 --> 00:43:54,496
[radio beeping]
1145
00:43:54,498 --> 00:43:55,898
Yeah, we can see
those clouds as well.
1146
00:43:55,900 --> 00:43:57,400
Winds definitely picking up.
1147
00:43:57,402 --> 00:43:58,334
Let's have the helicopter
1148
00:43:58,403 --> 00:43:59,636
Take a first load
of people out
1149
00:43:59,704 --> 00:44:01,204
And we'll start making
our way back to shore.
1150
00:44:01,206 --> 00:44:02,238
[dave speaking]
1151
00:44:02,340 --> 00:44:03,740
[gates] I'm gonna give this
two more minutes
1152
00:44:03,841 --> 00:44:04,941
Then I'm getting
out of here.
1153
00:44:04,943 --> 00:44:07,510
Suddenly, we're
in a race against time.
1154
00:44:07,512 --> 00:44:09,412
The last thing we want
is to be trapped
1155
00:44:09,414 --> 00:44:11,848
On this tiny island
when a thunderstorm hits.
1156
00:44:11,949 --> 00:44:13,816
But I can't bring
myself to leave
1157
00:44:13,818 --> 00:44:15,318
For just a few more seconds
1158
00:44:16,254 --> 00:44:17,153
I got something.
1159
00:44:17,155 --> 00:44:18,655
Oh, I got something
else, hold on.
1160
00:44:19,524 --> 00:44:21,057
I got something else, hold on.
1161
00:44:26,765 --> 00:44:28,464
I don't know, can lid?
What do you think?
1162
00:44:30,602 --> 00:44:32,301
No, it's not a can lid
1163
00:44:32,303 --> 00:44:33,202
It's way too heavy.
1164
00:44:33,204 --> 00:44:34,704
Let's keep that
underwater
1165
00:44:34,706 --> 00:44:37,306
Because if we expose
it to air it will deteriorate.
1166
00:44:37,308 --> 00:44:39,909
So we put it in a bag
of water.
1167
00:44:39,911 --> 00:44:41,844
[gates] as much as it looks
like a can lid
1168
00:44:41,913 --> 00:44:43,079
I don't think it is.
1169
00:44:43,114 --> 00:44:45,214
[gates] this lid is too
heavy and thick
1170
00:44:45,216 --> 00:44:46,949
To be from a common can.
1171
00:44:46,951 --> 00:44:48,217
It feels like a plate
1172
00:44:48,219 --> 00:44:50,019
Or a cover to a piece
of equipment
1173
00:44:50,021 --> 00:44:53,523
And could be a significant
piece of evidence.
1174
00:44:53,525 --> 00:44:55,124
That was it, we got
nothing else down here.
1175
00:44:55,126 --> 00:44:56,259
You got the wire as well?
1176
00:44:56,327 --> 00:44:57,360
[daly] I got the wire as well.
1177
00:44:57,462 --> 00:45:00,963
[dave speaking]
1178
00:45:01,065 --> 00:45:03,332
You know, we don't wanna
[bleep] with this weather
1179
00:45:03,401 --> 00:45:04,500
[gates] that leaves
us a target
1180
00:45:04,502 --> 00:45:05,601
Out in the deeper
water there
1181
00:45:05,603 --> 00:45:07,203
But I don't think
we're gonna get to that.
1182
00:45:07,205 --> 00:45:08,304
Ric, I got some
bad news for you.
1183
00:45:08,306 --> 00:45:09,205
You're gonna have
to come back
1184
00:45:09,207 --> 00:45:10,573
On this island again,
I think.
1185
00:45:10,575 --> 00:45:12,275
I've never had a better
reason to come back
to this island.
1186
00:45:12,277 --> 00:45:13,509
[gates] there we go,
exactly.
1187
00:45:13,511 --> 00:45:14,944
All right, guys, here we go,
let's get off this island.
1188
00:45:17,415 --> 00:45:18,715
We pile back
into the boat
1189
00:45:18,717 --> 00:45:20,283
As the rain intensifies,
1190
00:45:20,285 --> 00:45:22,151
And flee our small island.
1191
00:45:22,220 --> 00:45:23,720
I'm glad we stuck around
1192
00:45:23,722 --> 00:45:26,022
But we're paying for it
on the way back.
1193
00:45:26,024 --> 00:45:27,824
The wind and rain
are upon us
1194
00:45:27,826 --> 00:45:30,526
As we row for shore
just ahead of the storm.
1195
00:45:36,101 --> 00:45:37,533
Rain is coming down now.
1196
00:45:38,803 --> 00:45:39,802
[bleep]
1197
00:45:40,438 --> 00:45:41,637
Hustle, hustle, hustle.
1198
00:45:41,706 --> 00:45:42,939
Okay, let's get everything
wrapped up.
1199
00:45:42,941 --> 00:45:43,906
We gotta get our people
out of here.
1200
00:45:55,453 --> 00:45:57,053
Okay, we're aboard.
1201
00:45:58,423 --> 00:46:00,823
All right, well,
skin of our teeth.
1202
00:46:00,825 --> 00:46:02,558
-Skin of our teeth.
-Nice work.
1203
00:46:02,627 --> 00:46:03,626
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
1204
00:46:03,628 --> 00:46:04,827
Beautiful.
1205
00:46:08,333 --> 00:46:11,934
Though we are forced to flee
gull pond remains.
1206
00:46:12,003 --> 00:46:13,703
Ric and his team
will return
1207
00:46:13,705 --> 00:46:15,238
When the conditions
improve
1208
00:46:15,240 --> 00:46:19,041
To further explore
the magnetometer hits
we discovered.
1209
00:46:19,043 --> 00:46:21,477
The two pieces of potential
evidence we recovered
1210
00:46:21,479 --> 00:46:23,546
Were sent to the rooms
in st. John's
1211
00:46:23,615 --> 00:46:25,481
For conservation
and analysis.
1212
00:46:25,483 --> 00:46:27,550
And now, we have an update.
1213
00:46:28,419 --> 00:46:30,052
X-ray fluorescence
reveals
1214
00:46:30,054 --> 00:46:32,054
That the disc
is made of steel
1215
00:46:32,123 --> 00:46:34,157
And does not appear
to match any common
1216
00:46:34,258 --> 00:46:36,826
Or mass market lid
that could be identified.
1217
00:46:36,828 --> 00:46:39,729
It is plated with nickel
and zinc on one side
1218
00:46:39,731 --> 00:46:41,063
To prevent rust.
1219
00:46:41,165 --> 00:46:42,265
But more curious,
1220
00:46:42,333 --> 00:46:44,300
Is the slight
convex depression.
1221
00:46:44,302 --> 00:46:47,036
If it was not a feature
of the disc's manufacture
1222
00:46:47,038 --> 00:46:50,206
It may suggest evidence
of an explosion.
1223
00:46:50,208 --> 00:46:52,508
As to the wire,
it's made of copper
1224
00:46:52,510 --> 00:46:54,477
And turns out
to be a perfect match
1225
00:46:54,479 --> 00:46:56,212
For aviation safety wire
1226
00:46:56,214 --> 00:46:58,548
Used in the era
of the white bird.
1227
00:46:58,616 --> 00:47:00,917
Along with the mysterious
debris that ric
1228
00:47:00,919 --> 00:47:02,251
Previously recovered,
1229
00:47:02,287 --> 00:47:03,953
The evidence is mounting.
1230
00:47:04,022 --> 00:47:05,955
That there may be more
to gul pond
1231
00:47:06,024 --> 00:47:07,523
Just waiting to be found.
1232
00:47:08,726 --> 00:47:11,961
Sometimes, history turns
on a single event.
1233
00:47:12,030 --> 00:47:13,763
Charles lindbergh's success
1234
00:47:13,865 --> 00:47:15,965
Only 12 days after
the disappearance
1235
00:47:16,033 --> 00:47:18,534
Of the white bird,
positioned the united state
1236
00:47:18,603 --> 00:47:20,536
As the aviation innovator
1237
00:47:20,605 --> 00:47:23,105
In the period leading
into world war ii.
1238
00:47:23,107 --> 00:47:25,808
But if charles nungesser
and francois coli
1239
00:47:25,810 --> 00:47:27,043
Had reached new york,
1240
00:47:27,111 --> 00:47:29,612
Charles lindbergh would
merely be a footnote
1241
00:47:29,614 --> 00:47:32,415
In another aviator's
heroic story.
1242
00:47:32,417 --> 00:47:34,483
Investigators like
ric gillespie
1243
00:47:34,485 --> 00:47:35,918
And peter noddin
1244
00:47:35,920 --> 00:47:38,621
Will carry the torch
for the spirit
of exploration
1245
00:47:38,623 --> 00:47:40,957
That inspired
nungesser and coli
1246
00:47:41,025 --> 00:47:42,959
To attempt the impossible
1247
00:47:42,961 --> 00:47:44,527
Through their dedication
1248
00:47:44,529 --> 00:47:47,063
Perhaps those of us
on this side of the pond
1249
00:47:47,065 --> 00:47:50,099
Will finally come to remembe
and appreciate
1250
00:47:50,101 --> 00:47:52,201
The bravery and sacrifice
1251
00:47:52,203 --> 00:47:54,003
Of the white bird's c
1252
00:47:54,005 --> 00:47:55,838
Not in lindbergh's shadow
1253
00:47:55,940 --> 00:47:58,307
But as the pioneers
they truly were.