Episode Name:   Buried in Concrete

Original Air Date:   February 15, 2004

Myths:   Buried in Concrete, Daddy LongLegs, Jet Taxi

Myth Union Boss Jimmy Hoffa disappeared in 1975. Was he killed by the Mafia and buried in Giants Stadium? Adam explained that the construction dates coincide with his disappearance, so this scenario could be quite possible. Adam also explained that the F.B.I. received tips that Hoffa was buried in Giants Stadium. Dr. Heather Joseph-Witham told a number of stories about Hoffa but she also said that no matter what the guys find out, the Hoffa legend will persevere.
 
Experts:
Jim Fossel--Giants former Head Coach. Coach Fossel says Hoffa is probably buried at the ten yard line. Coach Fossel related a story about a player running for a touchdown and tripping on the "ten yard line hump".  Back at the shop, the guys meet P. J.,  the cement guy. P. J. heard that Hoffa was buried on the fifty yard line, but he believes that Hoffa will never be found. P. J. also knows allot about concrete. He talks about gases escaping from the wet concrete as bubbles ooze up through it. Adam and Jamie also meet Dick Sylwester who gives them a crash course in ground penetrating radar technology.
 
Quotes:
Jamie: "Adam doesn't know it yet, but he's digging his own grave."
Adam: "What's that?" (then rolls eyes)                     
 
Action/Results: First, Jamie and Adam bury pig carcasses in the sidewalk outside the shop to later test ground penetrating radar. Jamie is concerned with decay odor, so he seals the "tomb" with latex. "Several" months later, Adam and Jamie scan the area with the ground penetrating radar. "Anomalies" are seen on the monitor, possibly indicating there could be, or had been, something buried in the side- walk. A partial exhumation revealed a void where the pig carcasses had been. Next, Jamie and Adam, with Dick Sylwester, scan areas throughout Giants Stadium. The areas included: the fifty yard line, bleacher section 107, the end zones and the ten yard line hump. No anomalies were seen on the monitors. Myth very effectively busted.

TAXI TORNADO--THE TAXI RIDE FROM HELL
 
Myth: Can a 737 with jet engines at full throttle flip a taxi? Adam explained that behind the Rio de Janeiro Airport is an access road passing behind the runway. There is a traffic light to control the flow of traffic when there are planes on the runway. Evidently, one cabbie disregarded the red light and his cab was flipped over as it passed behind the jet engines' exhaust.
 
Experts: Cab company owner Jim Hobb sold the "victim" taxi to Jamie and Adam. Jim didn't hear of this story, but he says "If the price is right, you can do anything you want with the taxi". Adam and Jamie also meet equipment rental agent Steve Bolan who provides "some equipment" to help investigate the myth.
 
Quotes: Jamie's frustration with the cab leads to this witty quote: "Somebody built this car on a computer, and they don't have any common sense."

Adam was full of snappy sayings, but the best, by far, is this one:  "I love it when sh*t works out!"
 
Action/Results: Adam and Jamie buy a taxi. Jamie rigs remote control devices to the taxi as Adam makes a template and spray paints "Mythbusters Taxi" logo on the car . Next, they reserve a 737 at a local airfield to conduct their experiment. Upon arrival at the airfield, they find there is no 737. The insurance company feels the plane could be damaged, so, they "pull the plug". PLAN B: "Theatrical" jet engines are rented and brought to the airfield. Through a variety of variable conditions, the taxi is pushed and trashed, but not flipped. Adam and Jamie believe the myth is busted. BUT WAIT! A news clip shows the aftermath of the accident--a crushed cab and a seriously injured cabbie. Evidently, the myth was true!

 DADDY LONGLEGS--THE DEADLIEST SPIDER ALIVE?
 
Myth: Jamie explains that Daddy Longleg spiders are supposed to be the most venomous of all spiders, but their fangs are not long enough to pierce through human skin.
 
Experts: Chuck Kristensen, arachnid expert. Chuck tells Adam and Jamie allot about spiders. Chuck recalled an experiment in which Daddy Longleg and Black Widow venom was injected in mice. (Results later...) Chuck also milked a spider. The spider is anesthetized with CO2 (carbon dioxide). An electrical shock is then applied to the fang to extract the venom.
 
Quotes: Jamie: "I like spiders!" Adam is speechless as he is an arachnophobe....
 
Action/Results: First, the guys go to Jamie's garage to "harvest" spiders. Jamie is quite the spider hunter, but Adam is having some difficulties... Next, they visit spider expert Chuck for assistance with the rest of the experiment. During the milking, Chuck measures the Daddy Longleg fangs: about .25 mm. Skin thickness is about .10 mm. Also during the milking, Chuck reveals the Daddy Longleg / Black Widow results: Black Widow venom is much more toxic. To finish the experiment, Adam puts his right arm in a spider-filled tube in order to receive a Daddy Longleg bite. After a long time, one Daddy Longleg does manage to bite Adam, and rather painlessly. Additionally, Adam lives! Result: Myth totally busted.

- episode description by myron162