[Marine Inspector]

The report says that there was no more than 50 gallons in the tank, and that isn't enough to be pumped out. After pumping, 50 gallons would most likely still remain.

Thanks.

It would seem to me, that if the pumps can't get too the last 50 gallons, then the alarm should not sound alerting the pilot to pump fuel.

[Criminal Number 18F]

The 50 gallons is what is called "unusable" fuel -- its fuel the pumps can't reach. Every plane has some amount of unusable fuel, from the tiniest trainer (where it might be a gallon and a half) to a massive 74.

Under the conditions of TWA 800, that fuel was a thin, hot (60 degrees Centigrade) film on the bottom of the tank - good conditions for forming vapour.

I don't know where this business about fuel-pump alarms came from. The tank was deliberately left empty that day (airliners usually don't top off their tanks, they only carry enough fuel to make it to their destination, and an alternate one in case the destination closes... it costs money to haul thousands of pounds of extra fuel).

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[PatrioticAmerican]

"then the alarm should not sound alerting the pilot to pump fue"

What alarm?