`CHAIN REACTION' THEORY PROBED IN TWA CRASH.Byline: Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. TWA TWA Time-weighted average, see there Flight 800 may have been destroyed by a bomb that was not especially powerful, but large enough to ignite a ``chain reaction'' that blew the jetliner in half, a source close to the investigation said Saturday. Most aircraft bombs have detonated at higher altitudes when the plane is fully pressurized pres·sur·ize tr.v. pres·sur·ized, pres·sur·iz·ing, pres·sur·iz·es 1. To maintain normal air pressure in (an enclosure, as an aircraft or submarine). 2. . In those cases a simple fuselage rupture led to massive decompression, causing the plane to disintegrate without a large explosion. But Flight 800 exploded in a huge fireball fireball, very bright meteor leaving a trail in the sky that can remain visible for several minutes; often a distinct sound, perhaps caused by very low frequency radio waves, is associated with it. seen as far away as 10 miles. Although not the usual effect of a bomb, the Boeing 747 was well below cruising altitude and not yet pressurized. Under those conditions, a small bomb that could fit in carry-on luggage would probably not cause an immediate breakup. Instead, the plane could keep flying until its jet fuel, ignited by a bomb, eventually exploded. A bomb is one of three theories under consideration in the blast, along with possible mechanical failure or a missile attack. One problem with the particular bomb theory is that jet fuel, a kerosene-like compound, is prone to burn rather than explode. Some investigators have theorized that vapors lingering in the empty tank from the plane's previous flight from Athens to New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of could have been what ignited. Sources theorize the·o·rize v. the·o·rized, the·o·riz·ing, the·o·riz·es v.intr. To formulate theories or a theory; speculate. v.tr. To propose a theory about. that if it was a bomb, a piece of carry-on luggage placed beneath a seat and above the plane's center fuel tank could have caused the chain reaction needed to produce such a massive explosion. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said the tiny bits of residue from a plastic-type explosive called PETN PETN Pentaerythrite Tetranitrate (explosive) were found ``on the floor'' of the passenger cabin. FBI chief investigator James Kallstrom said the microscopic bits were not enough to conclude the jetliner was destroyed by a criminal act. A source also said the FBI was expanding its inquiry to cover passengers, service and maintenance personnel who came in contact with the jetliner on its last Athens-to-New York trip before the fateful day. |
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