Politics & Government

Wolf: Reopen TWA Flight 800 Investigation

Americans 'deserve to know the unvarnished truth' about TWA Flight 800 explosions, which killed 230 in 1996; reconstructed plane parts reside at GWU in Ashburn.

An upcoming documentary alleging that new evidence could change the results of the investigation into the 1996 explosion of TWA Flight 800 and the media coverage associated with the film prompted U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-VA) today to ask to the investigation reopened.

Wolf pointed out in his request that a reconstructed portion of the plane, which killed 230 people when it exploded, now resides George Washington University in Ashburn.

According to reports about the film, TWA Flight 800, the filmmakers present evidence that the explosion was caused by an external source; the National Transportation Safety Board ruled that an electrical short ignited a fuel tank.

Find out what's happening in Ashburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wolf’s letter to NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said that current technology might bring light to the case.  Wolf states in the letter than he recalls “tension between the NTSB and the FBI as to who would be responsible for the investigation.”

Wolf’s letter also refers to a recent petition filed to request the case be reopened.

Find out what's happening in Ashburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Too many question have been raised about the legitimacy of the initial report for the issue not to be revisited,” Wolf wrote, referencing the families of the 230 people who died on the flight. “They, and the American people, deserve to know the complete unvarnished truth of what transpired on that day.” 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here