Families of TWA Flight 800 crash victims mark 30 years since tragedy on Long Island
Friday marked 30 years since TWA Flight 800 exploded in midair off of Long Island minutes after taking off from John F. Kennedy International Airport en route to Paris.
All 230 people on board died, making it one of the worst aviation accidents in United States history.
What happened to TWA Flight 800
On July 17, 1996, the jet carrying 230 souls to Paris broke apart 12 minutes into the flight.
Suffolk County first responders launched boats into the ocean, but a rescue mission quickly became a salvage effort.
"The water was completely on fire, and there was just debris and personal items and victims," said Suffolk Legislator and former TV reporter Trish Bergin.
"What would bring down a jet right after it had taken off at Kennedy? There was a lot of concern," Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said.
Witnesses saw a fiery streak in the sky appear to be rising toward the plane, launching a tireless investigation and the painstaking reconstruction of the 747, like a giant puzzle. One thousand pieces were pulled from the ocean floor.
In the end, theories of a missile or sabotage were debunked.
On Nov. 18, 1997, then-FBI Assistant Director James Kallstrom announced there was no evidence of high-explosive damage.
"Two, there was no evidence of an explosion of a missile warhead. Three, there was no evidence of missile impact," he said at the time.
The cause of the explosion was determined to be a spark that ignited explosive gas. It led to sweeping aviation fuel tank safety changes.
Victims' families gather for memorial service
The same Suffolk County community that rushed to the rescue and worked tirelessly for answers later donated their labor to build The TWA Flight 800 International Memorial in Shirley.
A memorial was held there at 7:45 p.m. Friday, marking the exact time the tragedy occurred.
"We are here tonight to remember them, to pray for their souls," Romaine said.
"This memorial is a labor of love and provides for the enduring memory of the 230 unique and beautiful souls lost on Flight 800," said John Seaman, a victim's family member.
The victims names were read aloud as those who had gathered listened in silence.
"It was very emotional. This is the 30-year anniversary," said Oksana Foster, a victim's family member. "It's just, it breaks our heart every year to come and to witness this again. I can't believe it happened."
From around the world, victims' families returned to the one place they can mourn together.
Members of the Bailey family from England traveled to the memorial for the first time this year. Christine Diiorio-Bailey and her husband, Pietro, ended up on TWA Flight 800 at the last minute.
"She was supposed to go direct from New York to Rome, and that plane got cancelled and she got transferred to Paris ... Her luggage got home," said Ian Bailey, Diiorio-Bailey's brother.
Even after 30 years, the wounds are so deep, they never heal.
"We just couldn't believe it. We couldn't believe it. No way," Bailey added.
"It's a sad memory, yes, but just always remember the loved ones," said Ann Buonincontri, whose friend died in the crash.
The 230 victims were from 14 nations, and included 16 students from a Pennsylvania high school French club.
