TWA Flight 800 was a scheduled transatlantic passenger flight traveling from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France. On the evening of July 17, 1996, at around 8:31 PM, the Boeing 747 took off and was climbing to its cruising altitude when it suddenly exploded over the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 8 miles south of East Moriches, New York. All 230 individuals on board were killed, including 212 passengers and 18 crew members, prompting an immediate national and international response.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a bright flash in the sky, later confirmed to be the moment of explosion. The wreckage of the aircraft was scattered over a large area of the ocean, and extensive search and recovery operations were launched. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began an investigation that lasted several years, with focus on various possible causes including mechanical failure, fuel tank explosion, and potential external factors such as a missile strike. Ultimately, the investigation concluded that the most likely cause of the explosion was a spark that ignited flammable vapors in the center fuel tank.

The TWA Flight 800 disaster highlighted critical issues in airline safety regulations and protocols, leading to reforms in fuel tank safety and cockpit management. The tragedy also sparked public interest in the reliability of commercial aviation, and resulted in increased scrutiny surrounding aviation security and operations during the mid-1990s. Families of the victims were left with unanswered questions and grief, which remained for many years as the world sought to understand the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.