1996: TWA Flight 800

The Paris-bound American Trans World Airlines flight 800 (TWA800), exploded in midair shortly after departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on July 17 1996. All 212 passengers and 18 crew members died.

The accident was suspected of being a terrorist attack, but after a 16-month FBI -investigation, no conclusive evidence was found to support this theory. 4 years later, in a final report released on August 23 2000, the National Transportation Safety Board said the explosion was caused by an electrical short circuit that detonated the fuel tank and broke the plane into pieces over the waters off Long Island.