NTSB also had a report regarding a certain transatlantic flight that only had fuel in its wing tanks and an empty center tank.
Transatlantic without a full load of fuel?
Flight 800?
If that’s what you’re talking about—I didn’t know the details, but the electrostatic discharge theory never seemed plausible to me, nor the ignoring of the eye-witness reports of a flight streak followed by a bright explosion.
I think that is routine. The plane can go double that distance on a full load. Protocol is enough fuel for flight plus two hours or something like that. Same plane has enough fuel capacity for 13-17 hour flights, and across the little pond is about half that time.
Extra gas in excess of requirements and reserve only serve to contribute to the post-crash fire.