Why Did Hindenburg Burst Into Flames? Revisiting Airship Disaster That Consumed 36 Lives
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On May 3, 1937, the Hindenburg took off from Frankfurt, Germany, for a journey to US as it was heading to the Navy Air Base in Lakehurst, New Jersey.
In 1937, people had gathered at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey to witness the grand arrival of the Hindenburg which was Germany's largest airship ever built. But within seconds of approaching, the grand spectacle turned into a horrifying tragedy. The Hindenburg caught fire mid-air and crashed to the ground. Within seconds, the watchers on ground who were cheering were left in shock. The tragedy killed 36 people and left dozens injured.
The shocking visuals of the burning airship were captured live by newsreel cameras and reporters at the scene. The moment also brought the era of airships to an end.
What Led To The Creation Of The Hindenburg?
The concept of airships began in the 1800s. In 1852, a French engineer named Henri Giffard built the first working airship. It used hydrogen gas for lift and had a small steam engine that powered a propeller. It flew at about six miles per hour.
Later, German engineers made improvements by adding a metal frame inside the airship. This made the structure stronger but they still had to use hydrogen as it was very light but also highly flammable. These rigid airships could carry many passengers and travel long distances.
One of the most famous airships was the Graf Zeppelin which flew around the world in 1929. In the 1930s, it also started the first regular air service across the Atlantic. Its success inspired the building of a larger and more advanced airship which came to be known as the Hindenburg.
The Hindenburg made its first flight on May 20, 1936. It flew from Europe to US in just over 78 hours. That year, it completed 17 such flights.
What Happened With The Hindenburg?
On May 3, 1937, the Hindenburg took off from Frankfurt, Germany, for a journey to US. It was heading to the Navy Air Base in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The massive airship was 804 feet long and carried 36 passengers and 61 crew members.
As it arrived at Lakehurst on May 6, the Hindenburg suddenly caught fire while preparing to land. The flames spread quickly after what was likely a spark ignited the hydrogen inside. The airship fell 200 feet to the ground and was destroyed. The entire accident happened in just about 30 seconds.
The disaster killed 36 people – 13 passengers, 22 crew members and one person from the ground team. Some died from the fire while others lost their lives after jumping from the airship in a desperate attempt to escape. Many of the survivors were seriously injured.
Why Is The Hindenburg Remembered?
The Hindenburg was built by the Zeppelin Company and designed to be a luxury airship. It flew with the help of 16 large cotton cells filled with hydrogen. This gas is lighter than air which helped the ship float but it is also very flammable. Hydrogen had been used in airships since 1900 and many believed the Hindenburg was made as safe as possible.
Before the Hindenburg, other airships had also crashed. In 1929, Britain's R101 crashed and killed 48 people. A year before that, 52 people died in a French airship called Dixmude. Both ships had used hydrogen. But the worst airship crash was the USS Akron in 1933 which used helium instead of hydrogen. It crashed and killed 73 out of 76 people on board.
The Hindenburg stands out because of how the disaster was recorded as reporters and news cameras were present to cover the event. They ended up capturing dramatic photos and video of the explosion and crash.
A radio announcer named Herb Morrison was also at the scene and emotionally declared, 'Oh, the humanity!" His voice was broadcast across US as part of the country's first coast-to-coast radio news report.
After the disaster, people lost trust in airships and no rigid airships remained in use after World War II.
What Else Happened On May 6 In History
1856 – Sigmund Freud, who later became known for developing psychoanalysis, was born.
1889 – People got their first chance to visit the Eiffel Tower as it opened during the Paris World's Fair.
1998 – Apple showed its first iMac to the world which helped bring the company back on track.
2002 – Elon Musk set up SpaceX with the goal of changing how space travel works.
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2004 – The last episode of the popular show Friends was broadcast and watched by millions.
2023 – King Charles III and Queen Camilla were crowned in Britain's first coronation in nearly 70 years.
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May 06, 2025, 13:05 IST
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