Posted on 03/02/2023 4:07:49 PM PST by nickcarraway
Auto, Aviation & Transportation
Flight path of TWA 800: The colored rectangles are areas from which wreckage was recovered.
TWA Flight 800 was a Boeing 747 that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Long Island, New York, on July 17, 1996, killing all 230 people on board. The cause of the crash was initially unclear.
However, after a lengthy investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the most likely cause was an explosion in the center fuel tank of the aircraft, probably caused by a short circuit.
The aircraft took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City bound for Paris, France, at around 8:19 PM on July 17, 1996. About 12 minutes into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of about 13,700 feet (4,200 meters).
“Power’s set,″ said flight engineer Richard Campbell, indicating he had adjusted the power to allow the plane to go higher. It was 8:30:35 p.m.
Those were the last words from the plane.
Witnesses on the ground reported seeing a bright flash of light in the sky followed by a fireball and debris falling into the ocean.
Disaster Recovery Of TWA Flight 800
undefined Wreckage recovered with tangled and damaged wires attached What caused the death of TWA Flight 800 victims? The 230 victims of TWA Flight 800 died as a result of the crash of the Boeing 747 aircraft into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Long Island, New York, on July 17, 1996. The crash was a high-energy impact, and all the passengers and crew members aboard the aircraft were killed instantly.
The impact of the crash caused the aircraft to break apart into many pieces and scatter over a large area of the ocean floor. Recovery efforts became launched immediately after the crash. And the remains of the victims were eventually located and recovered from the debris field.
Concorde Crash : Death of an Aviation Dream
The victims’ cause of death was attributed to the physical trauma sustained during the high-speed impact. In addition, the resulting forces that would have been experienced during the aircraft’s disintegration. The exact nature of the injuries sustained by the victims varied depending on their location within the aircraft and the circumstances of the crash, but they would have included blunt force trauma, fractures, and lacerations.
This photograph is part of the National Transportation Safety Board accident report for TWA Flight 800. The date on the photograph shows as May 20, 1997. The investigation determined that the most likely cause of the explosion was a short circuit in the wiring of the center fuel tank. Which ignited fuel vapors and caused the tank to explode.
In addition, the investigation also found that the design of the fuel tank was a contributing factor. As it did not adequately protect against the buildup of fuel vapors.
Furthermore, the investigation resulted in a series of recommendations to improve the safety of fuel tanks in commercial aircraft.
Including changes to the design of the tanks and the installation of systems to reduce the buildup of fuel vapors.
The TWA Flight 800 disaster likely became caused by a short circuit in the wiring of the center fuel tank, which ignited fuel vapors and caused the tank to explode. All of the conspiracy theories roaming the internet chat halls have no hard evidence. The NTSB investigation resulted in recommendations to improve the safety of fuel tanks in commercial aircraft.
What are the common conspiracy theories of the TWA flight 800 disaster?
Another frame from the CIA’s animation depicting how the left wing of TWA Flight 800 was shorn off and created a second fireball US Airways : Confusion on the Runway
The TWA Flight 800 disaster, like many high-profile incidents, has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories. While the official investigation concluded that the most likely cause of the crash was an explosion in the center fuel tank, some people continue to believe in alternative explanations.
Some of the most common conspiracy theories on the TWA Flight 800 disaster:
Missile theory: One of the most popular conspiracy theories suggests that TWA Flight 800 became shot down by a missile. Either accidentally by the U.S. military or intentionally by a terrorist group. Furthermore, this theory is based on witness accounts that describe seeing a streak of light or a projectile heading towards the aircraft before it exploded. However, the official investigation found no evidence of a missile strike and concluded that witness accounts were likely due to the aircraft breaking apart in mid-air.
Cover-up theory: Another common theory suggests that the U.S. government or the airline industry covered up the true cause of the crash in order to protect their interests. This theory often includes allegations of a massive conspiracy involving the FBI, CIA. And other government agencies, as well as the airline industry and the media.
Bomb theory: Some people believe that TWA Flight 800 became brought down by a bomb. Possibly planted by a terrorist group or a disgruntled employee. This theory is based on the presence of traces of explosive material found on some of the wreckage. However, the official investigation found that these traces were likely the result of contamination during the recovery and analysis process.
Mechanical failure theory: A less popular theory suggests that TWA Flight 800 crashed due to a mechanical failure, such as a malfunctioning engine or faulty wiring. While these types of failures can certainly occur, the official investigation found no evidence to support this theory.
Most witness observations of a streak of light were determined by the NTSB to be consistent with the calculated flightpath of TWA 800 after the CWT explosion (screenshot from an NTSB animation). It is important to note that there is no evidence to support any of these conspiracy theories beyond eyewitness accounts.
In conclusion, these theories have become debunked by the official investigation and subsequent reviews. Furthermore, the TWA Flight 800 disaster was a tragic accident caused by a fuel tank explosion. And lastly, the investigation and subsequent safety recommendations have led to important improvements in the safety of commercial aircraft.
Could it be that ANG had a "Rust" armorer type mistake?
I have always thought that this was the experience that taught the “ruling class” that they could lie with impuny.
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Actually, that began years earlier, with the assassination of JFK.
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