NTSB stands by original investigation in TWA flight 800 explosion

WASHINGTON -- The National Transportation Safety Board has denied a petition for reconsideration of its findings in the investigation of the 1996 crash of TWA flight 800.

The board said Wednesday that a team of investigators not part of the original investigation has confirmed NTSB's previous finding that an oxygen buildup in a partially empty fuel tank caused an explosion that destroyed the plane in-flight off the coast of Long Island, New York.

The TWA 800 Project filed the petition. It says a "detonation or high-velocity explosion" could have caused the crash. Among other evidence, the group cites witnesses who say they saw a streak of light that appeared to be a missile.

But the NTSB says none of the physical evidence supports the missile theory.