Seven days after Pan Am Flight 103 came down, forensic scientists confirmed what investigators already suspected: this was a bomb. That answer opened a much harder question. Join Alice and Zach for the reconstruction of a Boeing 747 inside a five-acre shed, the false lead that pointed at the wrong country, a pair of trousers with an order number stamped on them, and the green circuit board half the size of a thumbnail that broke the case open. Plus the few minutes of delay that are the only reason any of that evidence exists — and the trial happening in Washington DC right now. Part two of two.

Sources:

• Aircraft Accident Report 2/90: Report on the accident to Boeing 747-121, N739PA at Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, Scotland on 21 December 1988 — Air Accidents Investigation Branch, UK Department of Transport
• Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint, Case 1:20-mj-00252, sworn by Special Agent Rachel F. Otto — Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States District Court for the District of Columbia
• "Former Senior Libyan Intelligence Officer and Bomb-Maker for the Muamar Qaddafi Regime Charged for the December 21, 1988 Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103" — United States Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs
• "Judge allows Lockerbie suspect's alleged confession to be used at US trial" — BBC News
• "Lockerbie bombing accused says he was forced into false confession" — BBC News
• Victims of Pan Am Flight 103 — victim registry and memorial records
• Remembering Pan Am 103 — Syracuse University
• Mayday: Air Disasters, Season 7, Episode 2 — "Lockerbie"

Find FINAL BOARDING CALL online:

• Website: finalboardingcallpodcast.com
• Email: finalboardingcallpodcast@gmail.com
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Credits: Final Boarding Call is hosted by Alice Stern and Zach Stemas, researched and written by Alice Stern, produced and edited by Alice Stern and Zach Stemas.