We have interviewed Mister Karl Butscher, who took part in a scheduled flight to America as a crew member. The interview was very long and this is why it's shortened and contains only the most important things.

Team : Where did the voyage in which you took part lead to?

Mr.Butscher : In June 1936 the voyage led to Lakehurst, USA. It was a normal, scheduled flight.

Team : What was the name of the captain and the airship?

Mr. Butscher: The different captains of the airship were Hans von Schiller, Max Pruss, who survived the disaster of Lakehurst, and Captain Lehmann. The ship was called LZ 129 "Hindenburg".

Team : Did the voyage start at Friedrichshafen ?

Mr. Butscher: No,it didn't. We took off from the airship-port in Frankfurt/ Main.

Team : How long did the voyage take?

Mr. Butscher: It took about 72-76 hours to reach the USA because of head wind and about 58-62 hours to return. The record time on this route was 48 hours. The flight went from Frankfurt to the USA without any stopovers.

Team : What was your nacelle like ?

Mr. Butscher: The nacelle was closed by a double-door in order to protect us against gas. Two members od staff lived in each room, which had no beds. We slept on very uncomfortable hammocks only. Later we got narrow mattrasses, too.

Team : What was your work aboard ?

Mr. Butscher: Every post was shared by three persons. The shifts changed during the day every 2nd hour and by night every 3rd hour. I was working as an electric engineer and 8 more electricians assisted me in dealing with problems on board. I was in charge of all electrical equipment, the gas and so on.

The whole staff consisted of 42 men and a captain. Most of the crew menbers were electricians, because lots of people were needed to navigate an airship.

Team : How many passengers were on board during the flight ?

Mr. Butscher: About 48 passengers enjoyed the flight. At last Mr. Butscher told us that he was glad working on a new airship in Frankfurt when exactly one year later, on June the 6th, the disaster of Lakehurst happened to LZ 129 "Hindenburg".

By:	Attendant Teachers:
Eva Butscher	Wolfgang Currlin
Sandra Stuetz	Angelika Weyler