Brent Regan writes --

 

<<Just be mindful that TWA Flight 800 exploded in midair and crashed into the Atlantic because of, in part, poor wiring practices.>>

So that missile had nothing to do with it, eh?

 

Actually, the claim is that TWA Flight 800 exploded due to old-style certification practices which allowed ignition sources and high fuel temperatures inside of fuel tanks.  SFAR 88 was written hastily in order to reduce the allowable ignition sources within fuel tanks, and lower the temperatures of the fuel (also reducing the potential for ignition).  Other certification guidance has been written since then but the gist is the same.

 

Yes, aged and cracking insulation around the wires in the fuel tank may have played a factor, but the bigger problem is having the wire in the fuel tank in the first place, don't you think?

 

- Rob Wolf