NewsMine — deceptions — planes — twa800 — Viewing Item

Twa800 letter { July 7 1996 } National Transportation Safety Board Washington, D.C. Mr. David F. Thomas Directory Office of Accident Investigation Federal Aviation Administration Washington, D.C. 20591 Dear Mr. Thomas, The purpose of this letter is to request written explanation of certain events related to the processing of Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control (ATC) radar data for TWA flight 800 that crashed near Long Island, New York on July 7, 1996. As we have discussed, I would like to clarify the circumstances to alleviate any potential future misunderstandings or inappropriate speculation regarding the results of the preliminary radar data analysis. As you know, during the first few hours after the accident, some FAA personnel made a preliminary assessment that recorded ATC radar data showed primary radar hits that indicated the track of a high speed target that approached and merged with TWA 800. One of your staff called our office about 0930 on July 8, 1996, to advice us of the preliminary assessment of the radar data by FAA personnel, suggesting that a missile may have hit TWA 800. This preliminary assessment was also passed to other government officials, including White House officials. After the Safety Board received the ATC radar data and reviewed it, it was determined that the preliminary assessment by FAA staff was incorrect. We understand that FAA officials now agree with the Safety Board's determination. I would appreciate it if you could verify that all specialists and/or managers involved in the preliminary radar analyses fully agree that there is no evidence within the FAA ATC radar data of a track that would suggest a high speed target merged with TWA 800. I would also appreciate an explanation about how the preliminary incorrect assessment occurred, so that potential public or media inquiries can be handled in a accurate and consistent manner. If you have any questions about this matter, please call me or Mr. Ron Schleede. I trust that you appreciate the need to ensure a clear record of these particular events to allay public concerns or speculation. Bernand S. Loeb

Could 100 witnesses have been mistaken { July 16 2000 } Explosives report [jpg] Explosives report { August 23 1996 } Faa still working on fuel tank explosion theory { February 17 2004 } Fbi seized radar video showing missile hitting flight 800 NTSB [gif] Stephanopoulos Twa crash investigator wont comment on explosives report { August 23 1996 } Twa witnesses Twa800 controversy again { July 17 1996 } Twa800 letter { July 7 1996 } Twa800 witnesses [htm] Files Listed: 12

Correction/submissions

CIA FOIA Archive

National Security Archives

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purpose of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.