◆ SpookStack

RABsi.. mich haste as possible in order to depart by 10,00 pem., he was not of the opinion that they would be hasty or careless for speed'ec sake, due to the fact of their wide experience with lighter=than-air craft. Again referring to the explosion, Lt. Tyler stated that he was of the opinion that it took place in the area between the port fin and the port aft engines and that he felt that the subsequent detonations heard by him were caused by each cell catching fire subsequent to the first outburst. He also stated that the first explosion sounded to him as though it was a gas detona- tion. However, he stated that if one of the gas oells had had a purety of 85% or less, the explosion upon having this concoction ignited would have been terrific. In Lt. Tyler's opinion, static eleotricity sould only have been grounded by means of allowing a metal cable to touch the ground from the ship or that the manila ropes could have grounded the static electricity if they had been soaking wet. He stated that the color of the fire first observed by him ap- peared to be of a reddish tint, and that it maintained this oolor. He also stated that he could not observe the extreme top of the Hindenburg due to his position. ; He also stated that the Hindenburg did not appear to be par- ticularly teil-heavy after the discharge of ballast, and in connecticn there- with, he stated that it woulda appear inconsistent to discharge ballast at the same time as vaiving off hydrogen gas, for the simple reason that one operation is to correct or equalize the other. He also stated that to his recollection there were no landing er running lights or passenger cabin lights 1it on beard the Hindenburge He also stated that he did not observe any propellers or motors behaving oddly, Oe eee ee fo eee om ae oT oF oe mee ane othe best be 22 wf o see Se + Vb Fe 19 wa the 2MPICRes1i Pia the two 2Urwealu motors were Funning, Blk bil the aft engines were operating at full speed shortly before the crash. He stated he is of the opinion that the flames observed by him were hydrogen flames. Lt. Tyler admitted to the Board that he is possessed of only a limited amount of experience or Imowledge concerning electricity and static electricity, and further thet he is not an authority on motor operations. He [ Oe re ee eS