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The NTSB is looking for answers in the aircraft, not external answers from another source. They could have had to come up with an answer. Sure there may be chaffed wires, but that doesn't mean it is the cause. IMO.

I live in St. Louis. Home of the former TWA so its not hard for me to sympathetic towards the airline. In addition, my job as an aircraft dispatcher requires me to know aircraft systems. I just dont understand the sequence of events. NTSB said the hot temps on the ground caused the remaining fuel in the center tank to vaporize. But climbing to FL 310, the Outside air temp cools considerably; the tropospheric lapse rate in the standard atmosphere is 2 degs.C per 1000 ft. It stands to reason that the vapor would have condensed. Plus, a catastrophic explosion in flight over water still left enough explosive trace material found in a bottle of nitro pills to be ruled out as the cause! But they cant find a piece of the fuel tank to determine wheather fuel had condensed or not?? Its just my opinion, but the country is fairly forgiving, if the Navy did it,and admitted it,it wouldnt be largely forgotten by now. And if Xlintoon had a hand in it...well the media and the voters have already showed a willingness to condone the 'toons antics.