“1) terrorist-fired MANPAD”
Of course, always easy to see a 5 foot long, flat-finish (non-reflective), 6” wide missile from over 5-miles away.
“2) US Navy training accident.”
Of course, all those thousands of Navy and other service personnel that you thank for their service can keep a terrible secret of a “shoot-down” of an American civilian aircraft. Of course, those thousands of honorable servicemen that we thank for their service for being patriotic and dedicated Americans are willing to lie to protect one of the most loathed presidents by the military. Of course, there are no grudge-carrying enlisted (or officer) that would be blabbing and turning in the Big Guys in charge.
Of course, the lack of proof is proof of how good the cover-up was.
Not going to change your feelings on this, I know. Just needed to point out the obvious logical and factual inconsistencies of your feelings on this subject just so those casually reading this thread may be better informed.
I gave up long ago. Kudos to you for making your point in a civil manner.
I don’t buy the shoot down theory, either. Even if the Navy wanted to cover it up there is no way they could keep a couple hundred mouths shut. It just isn’t in the average sailor’s DNA to cover up something like that.
I never thought for a second that the US Navy had anything to do with it, other than salvage operations, but the theories etc are out there. I respect our US Military - all branches - very much.
The MANPAD theory is also out there, and while I doubt anyone could see the actual missile from 5+ miles at dusk, perhaps the flame and trail could be seen. The 2 chopper pilots who claimed to have seen it, had experience w/ other projectiles and MANPADS, IIRC.
The used MANPAD tube (which the USN recovered and which later disappeared), PETN inside the plane, plane’s structural hit exam etc etc etc are purely circumstantial, IMO, but added together make a case for a terrorist-fired missile, of some kind. IIRC, MANPADS don’t reach the altitude TWA 800 was at when it exploded. But too many people saw it happen; I think it was 30+ who the FBI interviewed and *sanitized* the field interviews, pics, videos, sketches etc.
I’m not a black helicopter theorist or anything like that, but this whole thing just doesn’t pass the smell test. It stinks. I think the FBI and NTSB picked-up a turd and tried to dust-it-off, but too many people already knew otherwise.