First, not all witnesses claim a missile strike. TWA 800 was roughly ten miles offshore, at 13,000 to 14,000 feet up when it exploded. The time was around 8:30 pm, scattered clouds, and dusk lighting.
My issue with the missile theories is no one can clearly identify what type of missile, how it could have been employed, or if seeing what was claimed was actually possible for many of the eye witnesses.
Short version:
Airliner fuel tank explosions have happened. In a eleven year period, there were three, two definite and TWA-800 (Safety in Avionics: Time to Stop Fuel Tank Explosions)
May 11, 1990, Philippine Airlines Flight 143 had a center fuel tank explosion while on the ground in Manila.
March 3, 2001, Thai Airways International Flight 114 was destroyed by a center fuel tank explosion while parked at the gate in Bangkok.
For TWA-800, the official explanation of the fuel tank explosion exists, because it was recorded on the flight recorder that the pilot was saying that the fuel quantity system was giving crazy readings two and half minutes before the explosion. When the tank was recovered, wiring in the tank showed signs of arcing. In the official explanation's favor, there were two definite center tank explosion, and TWA-800. For the reasons I've explained, the missile theories have larger problems then the official explanation.
Now, I am only asking what I think are reasonable questions, and am not claiming any expertise. So if anyone can point out my mistakes (the close I get to bedtime, the more mistakes I post) to reasonable counter explanations, including Phd Physics papers (where I read the beginning and end and skip the calculus and Latin in the middle), please point me in a direction to look.
Thank you. I only wish I could engage you more, but I can’t. The newsletters from AIM were from the late 90’s,probably 1996, 7 or 8. I’m thinking ‘97.
Dang, I just wasted 15 minutes thinking this was truly a govt. cover up. Thanks for the reasoned response. Although, I believe our government is capable of anything at this point. Ron Brown agrees.