As others who write books have theorized, it may have been a Navy missile test gone wrong. Thus the cover-up to protect Clinton's re-election chances.
But along the way you are thinking, if it was a test gone bad. I wonder why a navy crewman or two with a guilty conscience hasn't come forward.
We'll never know the truth.
The cover-up may also have been intended to minimize the potential impact on the Olympics in Atlanta that summer (in case some people refused to fly).