Interior of the TWA Terminal at JFK, from which Flight 800 departed
Twenty-six years ago, TWA Flight 800 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. It was the fourth deadliest aircraft accident in the history of U.S. airlines after Pan Am Flight 1736 in Tenerife, American Airlines Flight 191 in Chicago, and American Airlines Flight 587 in Belle Harbor.
On July 17, 1996, 12 minutes after taking off from New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Boeing 747-100 disappeared from radar. All 230 people onboard perished.
Subsequent investigations revealed that a fuel tank explosion was the cause of the crash.
Last year, a private memorial service for the families of those lost on the flight was held. The service took place that evening in Smith Point Park, a beachfront park overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the east end of Fire Island along the central south shore of Long Island.
At precisely 8:31 p.m. local time on that fateful day, an explosion that was ultimately determined to have been caused by a spark from fuel gauge wiring, inside the center wing fuel tank of the 747, which in turn caused a huge explosion that split the plane in two about 15,000 feet over the Atlantic, some 8 miles (13 kilometers) south of the beaches that flank the East Moriches inlet.
The reconstructed Boeing 747 wreckage sat some 260 miles (419 kilometers) away at the National Transportation Safety Boards training center in Ashburn, Virginia for almost a quarter of a century. The agency, until last year, had been using the salvaged wreckage in accident investigation training courses and, with the ascent of most family members, decommissioned and destroyed the remains of the wreckage.
The Jumbo Jet had 212 passengers and 18 crew members on board at the time of the crash. The roster included 16 students and five chaperones from the Montoursville Area High School French Club in Pennsylvania; Jed Johnson, an interior designer who was Andy Warhols partner of 12 years; Rico Puhlmann, a German fashion photographer; and David Hogan, an American composer.
One passenger who was supposed to be on board, Eileen Rence of Appleton, Wisconsin, missed the flight by minutes thanks to weather delays in the Midwest. She did not immediately realize the significance of her late arrival until she telephoned a friend who then informed her of the news. I cant rejoice while others are feeling so terrible, she told the New York Times at the time, speaking from the Ramada Inn near JFK where relatives of the victims were gathering.
The passenger, just an hour earlier, had been waiting to board in the TWA Flight Center, the storied airlines Eero Saarinen-designed terminal at JFK, perhaps sitting in the airlines lounge, the Ambassador Club, or one of its three restaurants, the Constellation Club, the Lisbon Lounge, and the Paris Caf.
FBT Editorial Director Jonathan Spira remembers the night of the crash as if it were yesterday.
I was driving home and since it was the pre-Internet radio days was listening to WCBS Newsradio 88 when the news broke and the network preempted local programming. I pulled over to listen to the report and had a sinking feeling in my stomach.
I didnt know it at the time, but a friend and neighbor of mine as well as of my brother, the late Greg Spira, this magazines co-founder, was on the flight. Eric Holst and his wife were on their way to Paris for the wedding of his brother Troy, another friend.
The in-air disaster prompted the largest investigation of an aviation crash in U.S. history, and the findings led federal officials to require airlines to pump inert gas into empty fuel tanks, making them less likely to ignite.
The warehouse containing the reconstructed aircraft was closed to the public but families of the victims were allowed to visit over the years. Before the massive 747 was dismantled, the agency documented the reconstructionusing 3-D scanning.
The move comes as the lease on the warehouse nears its end and the destruction of the wreckage is in accordance with an agreement it made with survivors of the victims of the explosion, one of the deadliest plane crashes in U.S. history, albeit one that resulted in safer flying as a result of the investigation.
The investigation of the crash of TWA Flight 800 is a seminal moment in aviation safety history, said Sharon Bryson, the safety boards managing director, in a statement. From that investigation we issued safety recommendations that fundamentally changed the way aircraft are designed.
Kurt Stolz contributed reporting to this story.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
Read more here:
26 Years Ago Today, TWA Flight 800 Exploded Over the Atlantic, Killing 230 - Frequent Business Traveler
- Explore how Smita Thomas of Multitude of Sins created an award-winning interior design firm in India - Tatler Asia - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- How Thoughtful Interior Design Is Transforming Medical OfficesStarting With This Beverly Hills Sanctuary - Forbes - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Time to Paint the Home Office? Try One of These Colors - ELLE Decor - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Interior Design Masters series 6 meet the contestants vying for a homeware collection with John Lewis - House Beautiful - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Rita Konig on the Pleasure and Pain of Designing for Yourself - ELLE Decor - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 27 Bedroom Lighting Ideas That Add Style and Ambience - marthastewart.com - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr - meet the ten talented designers battling it out for one life changing contract - BBC - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 11 Legendary Interior Design Stars Who Have Tragically Passed Away - House Beautiful - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- A designer has made hidden storage stylish in this kitchen - Homes and Gardens - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Stefano Vafiadis: How the design of 52m Baglietto Daybreak started with a side table - BOAT International - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Apparently, this is the interior design style that will add the most value to your home right now - Homes and Gardens - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Ditch the toxins: Here's how to make your home healthier with sustainable interior design - Hindustan Times - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 8 Home Trends That Are Tragically DEAD to the Design World - House Beautiful - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Desk chairs, butter and a striking 'fifth wall': the unexpected interiors must-haves you need right now - London Evening Standard - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- How to Design a Durable Home That Will Stand the Test of Time, According to Experts - marthastewart.com - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- The impact of interior design on mental health - The Irish News - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 5 kitchen styles going out of fashion in 2025, according to interior designers who've seen it all - Homes and Gardens - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Joanna Gaines Reveals the Song She's Listening to on RepeatSays Its So Good - House Beautiful - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Why wellness brands are leading the way in interior design - MSN - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- The hidden hacks interior design experts use for colour filled homes - The Sydney Morning Herald - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 15 Paint Colors That Interior Designers Are Buzzing AboutSee the Gorgeous Hues Here - Martha Stewart - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Styling Your Coffee Table With An Expert - WWLTV.com - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Louisiana interior designer makes magic with Luke Macfarlane on new show Home is Where The Heart Is - WGNO New Orleans - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- HOK Crafts A Breathtaking Nature-Inspired Headquarters In Ontario - Interior Design - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Take a peek inside: How an interior designer pulled off a massive makeover in her own home - Yahoo Life - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Nate Berkus has persuaded me that black leather is back - Homes & Gardens - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- An interior designer critiqued my bare-bones outdoor space. She gave me simple tricks to make it cool and functional. - Business Insider - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Before & After: Interior designer turns dilapidated loft into a dreamy dressing room and home office - House Beautiful - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- An interior designer critiqued my bare-bones outdoor space. She gave me simple tricks to make it cool and functional. - Yahoo Life - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Take A Break From Murderous Revenge With Some Interior Design In Assassin's Creed Shadows - Kotaku - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 4 British Interior Design Trends Americans Are Going to Be Obsessed with in 2025 - House Beautiful - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- This NYC apartment showcases a simplified traditional style that's surprisingly perfect for a modern lifestyle - Homes & Gardens - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 18 Atlanta Interior Designers, Architects, and Builders on the AD PRO Directory You Need to Know - Architectural Digest - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 8 Things Designers Say Are A Waste Of Money - Southern Living - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Prints, soft colors and a 'sense of whimsy' gave this Florida lakeside home a charming new look that's perfect for spring - Homes & Gardens - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 5 Playful, Pinterest-approved interior design trends to know for 2025 - HELLO! - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Inside the Mysteries of The Residence - Netflix Tudum - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- "Home is Where the Heart Is" Co-Hosts Luke Macfarlane & Olivia Westbrooks - KATU - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- A Keeping Room Will Transform Your Kitchen (and Your Home)Here's What to Know - AOL - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 6 Common Mistakes When Choosing Interior Paint Colors and How to Avoid Them - Mansion Global - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 7 Decorating Secrets That Will Instantly Elevate Your Home, According to Interior Designers - Martha Stewart - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Interior designers reveal their biggest decorating icks and pet peeves - The Independent - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- 5 Trends Interior Designers Say They Would Never Use in Their Own Homes And Their Opinions Are Controversial - LivingEtc - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- "A Balance of Restraint and Irreverence" How This Home Masters the Art of 'Playfully Mature' Style - LivingEtc - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Emily Henderson shares the best salvaged pieces in her home - Homes & Gardens - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Tile Trends That Will Be Dominating In 2025 - House Digest - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- 10 Interior Design Mistakes Experts Avoid In Their Own Homes - Forbes - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Are Dutch doors the best front door design? 7 reasons why designers love this charming on trend architectural feature - Homes & Gardens - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Interior Designer Shares Current Trend That Will Be Outdated the Quickest - Newsweek - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Fisherman Core Is Trending in Interior DesignHere's How to Get the Timeless Aesthetic - Martha Stewart - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Elegant colors that will elevate any room 6 go-to shades among designers for a timeless space - Homes & Gardens - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- AD Small Spaces: This Bengaluru apartment is a soulful escape where the light never leaves - Architectural Digest India - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Design Experts Recommend Avoiding These Trends - Evrim Aac - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Making a comeback: Design choices from the past can work well today - Daily Herald - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- 9 Items Interior Designers Urge Their Clients Not to Buyand What to Get Instead - Martha Stewart - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- This Family of 5's Kitchen Transformation Makes IKEA Cabinets Look Designer - Apartment Therapy - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- We bought a derelict bedsit and turned it into a 3m family home - The Times - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- The Best Small-Space Furniture and Decor Finds at Wayfair, According to an Interior Designer - PEOPLE - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Meet The Czech Designer With A Distinctive Artistic Touch - Interior Design - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Owner of Pittsburgh interior design business charged with scamming clients out of over $400K - CBS News - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Why the Perfect Time to Work with an Interior Designer Is Now - ELLE Decor - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- My small kitchen feels cold and impersonal but interior designers say these things will instantly make it feel cozier - Homes & Gardens - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Hudson Home: A creative hub of design, inspiration and connections - Times Union - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Local interior designer accused of scamming 8 clients out of over $440,000 - WPXI Pittsburgh - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- The 14 Very Best Bed Frames - New York Magazine - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- 12 Neutral Paint Colors That Will Look Beautiful in Every Room - AOL - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- The 15 Most Popular Interior Design Themes for Every Style - MSN - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- No stylish living room is complete without this key piece designers explain why the humble ottoman could be just what your space is missing - Homes... - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- 15 Unexpected Spring Home Trends That Will Define the Season - Good Housekeeping - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Im an interior designer - avoid these 5 renovating mistakes to save money' - Express - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Five simple ways to refresh your home for spring, according to the experts - The Independent - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Family Style in Johns Island - NewsBreak - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- The Very Best Throw Blankets - New York Magazine - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- These Are the 27 Movies Designers Watch Over and Over Again for Inspiration - Veranda - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- The Best Of Houzz 2025 Awards Reveal The Hottest Interior Design Trends - Forbes - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Meet the celebrity interior designer that is giving back to wildfire victims. - NBC Los Angeles - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- NAVFAC MIDLANT awards its Architect, Landscape Architect & Interior Designer of the Year and Project Manager of the Year for 2025 - DVIDS - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Midcentury Modern Is OutHeres What High-End Designers Say Is In - House Beautiful - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- 11 ways to inject effortless luxury into your bedroom - HELLO! - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- 9 Space-Saving Furniture Picks That Interior Designers Loveand They're All on Amazon - Real Simple - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]