Q&A · 1:41:30-1:41:57

Could more ventilation have limited Lexington's explosions?

Additional extractor fans might have limited Lexington's later vapour explosions, depending on their continued operation.

Question

Would more extractors and air circulation have stopped the buildup of fuel vapour aboard Lexington?

Short answer

They might have limited the accumulation feeding the later explosions, without necessarily preventing the first explosion. Their effectiveness depended on the fans continuing to run.

Notes

More extraction and air circulation could have helped clear aviation-fuel vapour. The first explosion might still have occurred, while reduced accumulation could have limited the later explosions. That possibility depended on the fans remaining in operation after the attack.