Here is the 425 page NTSB investigation report. It takes a very long time to read it but it is very well documented. It makes a very strong case that old wiring could produce a spark of sufficient energy to ignite fuel fumes in the tank.
Someone asked about why the fuel tank was empty on such a long flight. The range of the aircraft actually exceeds that flight distance by a good measure. Airlines are a business and fuel/liquids are heavy... why pay to burn fuel to transport fuel or liquid that is not needed?
The potential for this to happen was known prior to TWA800 and a safety bulletin or recommendation had been made recommending that fuel vapor be removed from these empty tanks due to the potential ignition risks.
I think there was a Phillipines airliner that blew up on the ground in the early 90’s. I thought it was a 737 and it contained the same type of wiring the 747 uses. This accident was also suspected to have been caused by fuel vapor that ignited in a fuel tank. The NTSB sent a bulletin to the FAA about this but it was not acted on.
People sometimes believe that which they want to believe or often stick with their initial assumptions or assessment. This is very dangerous in the age of 24 hour non-stop talking heads on television speculating endlessly during a breaking news story. This will not be changed but the last people I would trust would be reporters because they don’t know any more than you or I do at that moment.
It is really amazing that more aircraft accidents, explosions, or other mishaps do not occur. Given the thousands of flight hours on flying gas cans with seats we are very fortunate (or good) at maintaining the aircraft. However, the NTSB report examined over 20 aircraft of various ages and found the same suspected wiring to be in less than ideal condition. Fuel vapor is very explosive and anyone familiar with electrical components should know that sparks can happen with degraded wiring.
It is not as exciting as the various conspiracy theories but here it is for anyone who wants to read it. The NTSB is very good at what they do.
I also believe part of the hype was the massive FBI involvement in the investigations initial stages but that was to be expected after 9/11 and when you have a crash this close to a huge FBI office. The constant leaks to the NYC media outlets did not help either. FBI was very focused on an act of terrorism and this speculation heavily influenced the 48 hours of speculation on cable news that followed the explosion.
http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/2000/AAR0003.pdf
I would urge anyone with a genuine interest in the topic to take the time to read at least the conclusions in this report. If you already have your mind made up at least challenge your own conclusion by looking at this report. If you think this was a massive government conspiracy among multiple state, city, and federal agencies to cover up an act of terrorism I don’t think anything will change your mind.
What are you talking about? 9/11 happened 5 years AFTER Flight 800.