Extra Credit *CRASH! – Celebrity Airlines Flight 82181
Scene of the Crash
At 3:05 p.m. you and your team of medical examiners are called to the scene of a plane crash.
Celebrity Airlines Flight 82181 crashed just outside of Death Valley National Park (California)
while on its way to Los Angeles from New York City. After investigating the scene, you find
evidence of a pre-crash explosion. The crash also exhibits classic signs of terrorist activity.
At the site of the explosion, a material has been found. The chemical analysis shows:
C 37.01% H 2.22%
N 18.5%
O 42.27%
The mangled passengers are found in and around the wreckage. The only survivor was the
airplane pilot. He does not remember anything, so unfortunately he cannot be of any assistance.
Since they are not recognizable and their dental records are not available, the victims must be
identified by the substances found in their belongings and on their bodies. You also take the
time to interview family and friends for additional information.
After analyzing all the data, talking with relatives, and doing research on the passengers, you
and your team begin to suspect that one of the victims was murdered before the crash. The time
of death was approximated at one hour prior to the crash.
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Your Job
1. Use the percent composition data in Table 1 to determine empirical formulas for the
compounds found with or in the passengers. Match these formulas with the identity of
each compound listed Table 2. In order for everything the calculations to work out,
remember to keep 2 digits past the decimal.
2. One of the interns on your team spent days interviewing the friends and family members
of the crash victims. The intern recorded his notes and compiled them into Table 3.
Using the percent composition data in Table 1 and the personal data in Table, make a
probably identification of each passenger. Record the identifications on your Celebrity
Airlines flight 82181 Data Sheet.
3. After identifying the bodies, determine the following:
a. Identity of the Murderer
b. Identity of the Murder Victim
c. Identity of the Terrorist
4. Your analysis will be submitted to the FBI who is investigating the crash and murder.
Since this is a public case, it will receive national attention from the media. Please make
sure to show your work for all calculations. All of your identifications must be well
supported by evidence.
5. For Full Credit You Must:
a. Show all of your handwritten calculations to determine:
 the empirical formula of each compound
 the actual molecular formula of each compound. (note: all
compounds contain N,C,H and O the difference is how many of
each element the compound contains)
 Submit your answers to questions 1-4 using evidence from your
calculations.
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Celebrity Airlines Flight 82181 Data Sheet
Victim
Number
Name of Substance(s)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1. What chemical caused the crash?
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Victim’s Name
2. Which passenger brought explosives onto the plane?
3. Who was the murderer?
4. Who was the murder victim?
Table 1. Percent Composition Data of the Compounds
Passenger
Compound Analysis (%)
Location
C
H
N
O
1
67.31
6.98
4.62
21.10
Blood
2
63.15
46.66
5.30
4.48
---31.1
31.55
17.76
Face
Stomach
3
72.15
7.08
4.68
16.03
Blood and flask
in pocket
4
15.87
2.22
18.15
63.41
Blood and
pockets
5
37.01
2.22
18.5
42.27
Pockets
57.14
49.48
75.42
81.58
49.48
6.16
5.15
6.63
8.90
5.15
9.52
28.87
8.38
9.52
28.87
27.18
16.49
9.57
-----16.49
Blood
Blood
Blood
Pockets
Blood
60.00
63.56
4.48
6.00
---9.27
35.53
21.17
Pocket
Pocket
6
7
8
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9
82.76
17.24
----
----
Luggage
10
75.39
75.42
8.90
6.63
7.33
8.38
8.37
9.57
11
39.47
7.89
52.63
----
Mouth
12
37.21
40.91
8.53
4.50
54.26
----
---54.55
Blood
Blood
Luggage
Pocket
Table 2. Empirical Formulas for Possible Compounds
Identity
Formula
Notes
Codeine
C18N21NO3
Painkiller, prescription-controlled, found in some cough syrups
Cocaine
C17H21NO4
Narcotic, illegal
Aspirin
C9H8O4
Painkiller
Aspartame
C14H18N2O5
Artificial sweetener, used in Diet Coke
Vanilla
C8H8O3
Flavoring, used in baked goods
Trinitrotoluene
C7H5N3O6
Explosive (TNT-dynamite)
Nitroglycerine
C3H5N3O9
Explosive, heart medication
Thiobromine
C7H8N4O2
Chocolate Flavoring, used in baked goods
Strychnine
C21H22N2O2
Rat Poison, highly toxic to humans
Dimetacrine
C10H13N
Prescription drug, antidepressant
Acetaminophen
C8H9NO2
Painkiller (Tylenol)
Vitamin C
C3H4O3
Essential nutrient, thought to improve the immune system
Caffeine
C4H5N2O
Stimulant
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Xylitol
C5H12O5
Artificial sweetener, used in Trident gum
Metaformin
C4H11N5
Diabetes medicine
Butane
C2H5
Fuel for disposable lighters and camping stoves
DEET
C12H17NO
Insect Repellent
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Table 3. Personal Data for Crash Victims
Crash Victim
Bruno Mars
Beyonce Knowles
Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro
Miley Cyrus
Mario “Yo Gotti” Mims
Megan Fox
Kanye West
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Notes
R&B Singer/Songwriter, diagnosed with a mild form of heart disease. Friends
report that she is angry she is no longer as famous as she used to be. Resents
younger stars for “taking her spotlight.”
Singer/Songwriter, married to rap star Shawn “Jay-z” Carter, mother to Blue Ivy
Carter. Known to suffer from frequent headaches from listening to her newborn
daughter cry. Recently hired Buddy Valastro to make a 1-month birthday cake
for her daughter. Former assistant claims that Beyonce always paid her late.
Has a hit television show on TLC called Cake Boss. Creates expensive, fancy
cakes for celebrities. Recently hired by Beyonce Knowles to make a 1-month
birthday cake for her daughter. Right before boarding the airplane, Buddy made
a call to his wife to complain that he had to ride on a plane with “that stuck-up
woman” Beyonce. Her first payment on the cake had been due last week, but
Beyonce refused to pay. Reportedly has a quick temper, especially when money
is involved.
Singer/Songwriter/Actress. Photos of her allegedly smoking marijuana were
posted to Facebook in 2010. Surrounded by controversies regarding her “bad
girl” behaviors. Mother stated that she never traveled without her Diet Coke. In
2008 created a YouTube video mocking Selena Gomez and her friend Demi
Lovato that sparked a long feud between two stars.
Rapper. Songs and albums frequently reference cocaine, including one called
“Pure Cocaine” Was headed to LA to promote his newest album Live from the
Kitchen. A relatively new celebrity with no public fueds.
Actress. Mother revealed that Megan struggles with depression and low selfesteem. She is extremely scared of flying, but says that listening to Britney
Spears songs helps calm her down. Her boyfriend reported that Megan got
“little-to-no” sleep the night before the flight because she was so worried.
Paparazzi spotted Megan outside the airport Starbucks shortly before she boarded
the plane.
Rap singer/writer. Very controversial star. In 2009, while Taylor Swift was
receiving an award for Best Female Video, Kanye stole the microphone to
proclaim that Beyonce’s video for “Single Ladies” was the best video of all time.
Released a collaborative album with Jay-Z in 2011 entitled Watch the Throne. In
2005, attracted worldwide media attention when he stated, “George Bush doesn’t
care about black people” on national television. After that incident, family
members report that he because increasingly distrustful of the United States
government. A search of his computer revealed that he had been visiting antiAmerican and terrorist websites. He searched on Google for “how to blow up a
plane”
Justin Bieber
Selena Gomez
Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter
Onika “Nicki Minaj” Miraj
Megan Thee Stallion
Show all work:
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Pop star. Canadian citizen. Admits to not knowing a great deal about American
politics. In a romantic relationship with Selena Gomez. Headed to Southern
California with Selena Gomez to have a relaxing weekend camping. His friends
reported that he had just purchased brand new camping supplies including a
portable camping stove, tent, air mattress, and fishing poles. After a weekend of
camping, Justin had a scheduled recording session with Kanye West who was
supposed to record a track for Justin’s new album. Tweeted a picture of himself
with Kanye just after boarding the plane. Justin was smiling and relaxed while
Kanye looked extremely sweaty and scowled at the camera.
Pop star and actress. In 2010 was named as “The Next Miley Cyrus” which
intensified the feud between the two stars that originally began back in 2008. In
a romantic relationship with Justin Bieber. Her best friend Demi Lovato
reported that she was “super excited” about her upcoming camping trip except
that she was worried about getting bug bites. According to her Twitter feed,
Selena knew that she would be on the same flight as Miley Cyrus. Prior to
boarding the flight, she sent a text message to Demi that said “I h8 this grl. Its
about 2 b over.”
Rapper. Multiple arrests for drugs and weapons. Incarcerated in 2010.
Frequently sings about “syrup” which is a mixture of cough syrup and soft
drinks.
Rapper. Frequent collaboration with other artists including Yo Gotti, Rhianna,
Kanye West, Drake, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne. Airport security camera footage
shows her purchasing a pack of gum at the convenience store immediately before
boarding her plane. Headed to Los Angeles to do a final photo shoot for her new
album which will be released in April 2012.
Singer and songwriter. Diagnosed with diabetes. In 1987 was the first female
artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Performed at the
inaugurations of President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama. Frequently
ill and often requires hospitalization. Her publicist reports that she has recently
started taking Vitamin C tables to improve her immune system. Headed to Los
Angeles to get away from the cold Detroit winter.
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