230 people killed as TWA Flight 800 explodes off Long Island, New York 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 17 1996)


Video: 'Air Crash Investigation Trans World Airlines Flight 800 TWA 800'

(Wednesday, July 17, 1996, 8:31:12 p.m. EDT)TWA Flight 800, a Europe-bound Boeing 747, exploded and crashed tonight off Long Island, New York, shortly after departing John F. Kennedy International Airport, killing all 230 people on board.

A four-year NTSB investigation concluded the probable cause of the accident was an explosion of flammable fuel/air vapors in a fuel tank, and, although it could not be determined with certainty, the most likely cause of the explosion was a short circuit.

As a result of the investigation, new requirements were developed for aircraft to prevent future fuel tank explosions.


Video: 'Best Evidence: TWA Flight 800'


Video: 'TWA Flight 800 Remastered Re-creation'