TWA Flight 800 Essays

TWA Flight 800 Essays TWA Flight 800 Essay TWA Flight 800 Essay Essay Topic: Flight TWA Flight 800 Name: Course: Date: TWA Flight 800 Causes of Accident The Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 800 on July 17 1996 crashed near the city of New York, specifically in the Atlantic Ocean in proximity to East Moriches. The plane was scheduled to leave John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Charles DeGaulle International Airport in the capital city of France, Paris. All the 230 passengers on board comprising even the pilots, engineers and the flight attendants died. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the plausible cause for the accident was attributed to the detonation of the fuel tank in the center wing (CWT). The explosion led to the inflammation of the combustible mixture of fuel and air in the CWT (NTSB, 1996). Structural and Mechanical Factors The structural and mechanical factors involved in the accident involved the indication of a faulty circuit that aggravated the explosion in the fuel tank. The faulty circuit was situated exterior of the center wing fuel tank. Due to a short circuit, there was a production of intense energy, which was high enough to produce an ignition that triggered the explosion. Apparently, the short circuit caused a disproportionate electric voltage that entered through the electrical cabling. Consequently, the electrical wiring system was associated with the indication mechanism for fuel quantity. Thus, the excessive voltage triggered a surge in the electrical wiring near the fuel tank that sparked ignition of the inflammable fuel and air mixture (NTSB, 1996). Contributing Factors The contributing factors associated with the TWA Flight 800 accident were attributed to the certification and design concept of the fuel tank. Specifically, the design and qualifications were based on the prevention of explosions resulting from fuel tanks. The concept encompassing the design and certification concentrated on the prevention of fuel tank detonations. The prevention of the explosions was to be carried out by excluding all ignition supplies. Additionally, another preventive measure regarding the design and certification of the plane was the exclusion of planes with heat sources beneath the fuel tank and insufficient means to lessen the heat transmitted into the tank or the degree of flammability of the fuel vapor in the CWT (NTSB, 1996). Investigation Board Findings The NTSB was one of the main bodies involved with the investigation of the TWA Flight 800 Crash. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also performed investigations for the cause of the crash. This is because the evidence from a significant number of eyewitnesses indicated that a missile hit the plane and caused the crash. Since NTSB did not have the authorization to carry out a criminal investigation, the FBI became involved. The findings showed that explosive components consistent with the ones used in explosives and missiles were evident in the debris. The findings by the FBI collided with the NTSB findings since the FBI purported that a criminal attack was performed through the discovery of explosive traces evident in warheads and bombs (Milton, 2000). Recommendations The recommendations spiraling from the investigation of the NTSB were mostly centered on the design and certification standards of the plane, maintenance of aircraft systems, fuel tank and ignition sources and inflammability of the fuel tank. The key recommendation provided is the reduction of the temperature in the CWT. This could be done by relocating the air conditioning units, which are the chief heat supply, way from the CWT. Insulation, can also be added between the CWT and the conditioners. Efficient insulation would decrease the transmission of heat to the CWT (United States, 2000). Outcomes One of the major outcomes resulting from the TWA Flight 800 accident was the implementation of the sturdy and novel security protocols at the nation’s airports due to the missile theory asserted by the FBI. Up to date, the protocols are still observed strictly in all airports, in the country. Consequently, strict regulations regarding maintenance and inspections have been implemented which prevent the upsurge of hazardous conductors. Moreover, the use of fuel with lower flashpoints has been emphasized (United States, 2000). For instance, JP-5 has been provided as a substitute to Jet A fuel. JP-5 is less flammable than the Jet A fuel and hence can stall explosions in the fuel tank. References Milton, P. (2000). In the blink of an eye: The FBI investigation of TWA flight 800. New York: Random House. National Transportation Safety Board (1996, July 17). Aircraft Accident Report. Retrieved from ntsb.gov/investigations/summary/AAR0003.html/ United States. (2000). TWA flight 800: July 17, 1996: Accident investigation. Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB.