The Flight 800 Investigation

Eyewitness Highlights

Selected Accounts from the 755 Reports

Witness 8  -  "saw a red object flying upward."  "described the object as a flare"..."but that it was actually much bigger than any flare he had ever seen."  "As the "flare" lifted into the sky he next saw a big explosion of a large red color."
Witness 32  -  On board USAir flight 217 (3,000 ft. above Flight 800) "He observed a light which appeared to be a "flare" and looked like the shooting of an unexploded fireball into the air."  "It was moving right to left" "then observed an initial small explosion..... turned into a large explosion"
Witness 34  -  "saw what he thought was a shooting star traveling west to east, coming form the south shore, over Fire Island." "object he observed was more like a bottle-rocket with a dull orange glow to it" "further stated that the glow moved faster than an aircraft"  "the object flew for 10-15 seconds before he lost sight of it"
Witness 36  -  "saw an orange color flash, similar to a roman candle or rocket, flash by" "came from the northwest and was heading toward the southeast" (90 degree direction to Flight 800) "the flash streaked across the Bay"  "could have been a firework or rocket"
Witness 63  -  "observed an airplane off to his left flying in an eastbound direction" "observed a bright flash of white light on the rear portion of the plane"
Witness 72 - "She thought it was a flare."  "When she first observed the object, it appeared cylindrical in shape and was rising up in an arc like direction."  "The red streak was leaving a light gray smoke trail." 
Witness 73 - Watched the aircraft for approximately 10 seconds.  She then noticed a "contrail that appeared to come from an object which was flying toward the plane she was watching." "This object approached the aircraft from behind."  Described the "contrail as a long elongated tail.."  "She replied that she believed that she witnessed a missile, which was fired from a boat which was located somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean." 
Witness 77 - "observed what he believed to be a meteor flare, round in shape, red in color..."  The "the red meteor moved upward and arched in a northeasterly direction." 
Witness 79 - "she noticed what she believed to be a shooting star."  "described the star as being elliptical in shape, that was white in color with glowing surroundings." 
Witness 80 & 754 - "He saw what he described as an orange flare, which appeared to be launched from the beach or beyond which went straight up then suddenly he saw a large red glow which he described as an "explosion" and thereafter saw the fireball split into tow distinct parts and drop from the sky" 
Witness 81 - saw a "flare"  "the arc initially started very slightly to the west and moved in a slightly easterly fashion." 
Witness 82 - "She was facing southeast when she saw a flare shoot from the water."  "There was a thin black smoke trail following the flame." "The trail was visible for about 6 minutes" 
Witness 84 - "He advised that this flare was orange and went up into the air at about the same speed as a firework."  It went from west to east in a flight further out toward the ocean."
Witness 86 - "he observed two orange streaks ascending in a curved path.  He stated that the streaks were bigger and brighter than ordinary boat flares and left long trails to the water." 
Witness 87 - "he observed a bright white light ... travel from the southeast and arc towards the east."  "about four seconds after .. he observed a second flash which was orange/red in color."
Witness 88 - "observed what he thought was a firework ascending into the sky." " originally felt this firework emanated form the shoreline"  "this object which was ascending left a wispy white smoke trail." "observed an airplane come into the field of view .."  "the object ran into the airplane....and then exploded.."
Witness 91 - "she describes as appearing to be a "Roman Candle" coming east parallel to the horizon."
Witness 108 - "in southwest he saw what appeared to be a flare rise up from below the tree line."  "rising at a 65 degree angle at a steady speed."  "the flare left behind a smoke trail which was bluish/gray in color."  "The flare rose upward and then arced downward." "the flare descended from the arc for approximately on second and exploded into an orange ball."
Witness 129 & 643 - "he noticed .. a flare to the southeast.  ... it continued to rise upward from that point, at a fast rate of speed" "It rose to a certain point and appeared then to curve southeast and slightly downward." "He then saw a small flash or explosion and then a large explosion or fireball."
Witness 144 - "she then saw an object angle to the right with a bright orange glow with a white streak behind it."  "described this streak as "taking off like a rocket"."  "She thought at first that she saw fireworks, but then changed her mind and said "no way, it was a missile"."
Witness 145 - "stated that she saw a plane and noticed an object spiraling towards the plane." "The object, which she saw for about one second, had a glow at the end of it and a grey/white smoke trail." "she saw the object hit the plane"
Witness 147 - "states that she observed a flare shoot upward from the water, ascend with a bright orange-red glow skyward and at its apex, burst into numerous orange red flames.  The flare had a very large orange red tail"
Witness 150 - "noticed an unusual object traveling at high speed from north to south." " described the object as cylindrical, tubular and bullet shaped.  Having no apparent wings, except perhaps, a small vertical shape at the rear" "moved more quickly than any plane" "almost flat trajectory" "she followed the object for 2 or 3 seconds when she then noticed a large commercial airliner which appeared to be traveling at the same altitude" "the object headed toward the side of the plane."
Witness 151 - "he described what he thought was a flare" "he described the flare as a white wispy trail that went straight up." "he followed the flare for about 5 seconds, then the flare turned into an orange burst."
Witness 153 - "observed a light that he thought looked like a flare or firework" "object was round, similar in color to a setting sun" "object moved upward, away from him"  "then moved in a sharp horseshoe turn downward... began to leave a smoke trail"
Witness 157 - "noticed a red flare or firework trailing white smoke ascending over the tree line"  "approximately seven to ten seconds later he observed a large fireball erupt"
Witness 158 - "observed double orange flares streak upward and explode into a large orange fireball.  She states the flares were slanted, arcing and trailed by gray smoke."
Witness 174 - "saw a skyrocket type object streak up into the night sky from behind Sheffield Island. The skyrocket had an orange contrail which had a continuous brightness."  "A few seconds later, after the skyrocket contrail disappeared, he saw a large orange fireball appear"
Witness 175 - "observed a flare going straight up, but he was unclear as to whether it had originated from land or water."
Witness 179 - "she observed an object ...which looked like a flare or a firework going up.  She thought at first it was a firework which was a dud because it arced and went down."  "she observed the object climb in an erratic fashion for about five seconds at which point she noticed an explosion"
Witness 199 - "saw an orange elongated mass shoot straight up from the horizon." "an orange glow seemed to follow it"  "the object went straight up into the sky for about two seconds, reached its apex, and then broke apart." "could not tell if it originated from the land or sea."
Witness 261 - "saw a red navigator light from an airplane in the distance."  "then saw an orange firework, with a tail, in the air southwest of him"  "The firework traveled up, then arched down" "seconds later he saw a second and third fire work in the sky simultaneously." "Both were orange with tails and they traveled in the same arching pattern of the first firework."
Witness 364 - "FBI Flare sightings plotting report of selected witnesses" "These locations have been used in providing possible locations of a MANPAD launch tube or "Stinger" eject motor for acoustic side-scan sonar and possible recovery."  "These locations are within the preliminary envelope of foreign MANPADs obtained from the Defense Intelligence Agency which might have been used against TWA Flight 800.  These locations are just outside of the preliminary envelope obtained from the U.S. Army for the U.S. "Stinger" missile system.   The Army will provide a more accurate envelope after careful modeling."
Witness 396 & 397 - "saw two red streaks, very vivid in color, ascend ...traveled straight, slightly west to east."  "they assumed it was fireworks"  "the streaks he saw were side by side and very close"
Witness 409 & 607 - "saw a light grayish streak/line ascending into the sky over the ocean.  The streak....  .was moving ...almost vertical angle."  "The streak was fine, like a pencil line". "then observed a bright white light in the sky in the area where the streak disappeared."
Witness 411 & 412 - "observed a reddish glowing flare streak skyward"  "could not tell if it was from land or water."  "Flare was tight, corkscrew shaped with and even but fast speed."
Witness 429 - "observed a brilliant red flare commencing above the horizon moving in a straight line upward towards the sky.  The flare then exploded into a brilliant red ball.  Approximately a half second later another explosion occurred directly under the first explosion."
Witness 432 - "saw a trail of fire going up in the sky."  "Thought it was some kind of flare or firework."  "flare .. was bright orange and red, that went straight up into the sky."
Witness 435 & 436 - "saw a flare rise up in front of her"  "the flare went straight up into the sky and then curved before they lost sight of it."  "got thinner as it rose up in the sky."
Witness 437 & 438 - "observed a white ball shooting across the sky"  "it looked like a shooting star."  "traveled in an arc from right to left"  "left a "skinny" white trail."
Witness 445 - "saw a suspicious looking red work boat."  "believed that it would be a perfect place to hide things"  "believed the work boat was involved in the explosion"
Witness 458 - "saw a pinkish-red flare ...for about eight to ten seconds." "the flare seemed peculiar"
Witness 461 - "saw red flare arching in the sky."  "the flare was very bright"
Witness 465 - "saw a reddish/orange object projecting in an upward southern position" "the object looked like a flare."  "maintained a view of the object until he saw an explosion in the air."
Witness 484 - "for approximately ten seconds, observed the object traveling in an arc from her lower right to upper left.  The object disappeared for approximately one second and then observed a large explosion in the same area where the object had disappeared."
Witness 485 - "witnessed what appeared to be a "flare" rise above the horizon over the water.  The flare was red-orange in color and had ... an upward diagonal trajectory."  "the flare disappeared and seconds later a "wide area" of the sky was filled with something descending on fire."
Witness 491 - "This flare traveled in the air for what he estimated was 30 seconds.  He stated that this red flare was moving in an irregular type arc.  He felt this red flare was trying to follow something.  The red flare suddenly turned into a huge ball of flame."
Witness 493 - "saw a firework/rocket go up from his car."  "said the rocket was orange in color and had fire coming from its tail.  He realized it was not a firework but a rocket.  He saw the plane explode."
Witness 497 - "observed what he thought was a red flare appear and ascend in the sky."  "the red flare-like object appeared to be moving straight up at a steady, high rate of speed."  "the object's shape, color and speed remained constant for approximately four to five seconds." "At this time, the object disappeared in an intense bright white explosion.
Witness 498 - saw "a shooting star in the sky"  "looked like a boat flare"
Witness 499 - "observed a gray and white flare in the sky, arching from south to north."  "the flare lasted about 10 seconds.
Witness 539 - Witness was taking photographs over the ocean.  When they were developed she "noticed a small white streak" The FBI requested the negatives and "contacted here three days later to inform her that the negative was clear and there was nothing wrong with her camera."
Witness 550 - saw "a plane coming from the west to east and then what looked like a "smaller" plane coming from the northeast on a dead course toward the nose of the larger plane."
Witness 571 - saw "what appeared to be cheap fireworks coming off the beach"  "described this one firework as a white spark (meteor), that went up and arched across the sky."
Witness 649 - " stated object number one appeared to be a bright white light with a reddish pink aura surrounding it."  "compared the moving object to a "fire work"."  "initially, object one ascended almost vertically" "object one evolved into a "squiggly" pattern going up vertically and increasing in velocity and then arced off to the right in a south westerly direction."  "observed a second stationary object (object number two) that appeared to glitter in the sky.  Object number one was heading toward object number two"  "object number one appeared like it was initially going to slightly miss object number two unless it made a dramatic correction at the last moment." "in less than a second he believed object number one impacted with object number two."  "observed a white "puff" (white flash)"  " out of the puff came two objects that arched upward from the initial impact trailing smoke." "the objects then turned into large rectangular balls of fire descending at an angle"
Witness 650 - "observed a white colored object that appeared to be fireworks travel up into the sky.  The object traveled fast and left a trail.  The object appeared to come from the water."  "seconds later, observed a big, reddish/orange fireball."
Witness 665-666 - "stated he only saw the object ascending for a split second when he observed an orange or light colored object ascending from the southwest direction.  He stated it ascended for approximately five seconds, and just prior to what appeared to be it's maximum height, it hooked to the right and then exploded.  He stated the smoke trail went all the way to the point of impact."
Witness 667 - saw "something that looked like a shooting star in the sky" "left a trail like a comet"  "described the trail as a streak that disappeared very quickly."  "This streak then exploded in the air."
Witness 668 - "observed what she described as a comet"  "stated it started from ground level"  "went skyward and traveled from the west to the east....duration of the event lasted from eight to ten seconds.  The comet had and orange tail and it maintained its tail while skyward."
Witness 675 -  "an orange flare flew up into the air from the direction of southeast" ..The orange flare ascended to , and appeared to impact with, a speck in the air above and at a higher altitude from where the orange flare was first observed."  "the path of the orange flare was further described as ascending vertically and arching to the right" "was certain of the left to right direction" [Flight 800 was traveling right to left] "its speed which was described as "very quick"....this ascending object traveled at approximately twice the speed of a normal aircraft and took approximately three and one half seconds to reach the gray "speck"".  "The orange flare ascended to the exact same point in the sky as the gray speck and exploded."
Witness 692 - [Pilot of an H-60 helicopter, flying a night refueling mission (Maj. Meyer)] "saw a streak of red light moving very fast from his right to his left..described the streak of light as having the trajectory and image of a shooting star.  The streak moved from a higher elevation to a lower elevation in a gently descending curve.  He observed the streak for one or two seconds after which he saw an explosion." 
Witness 695 - "the witness observed a flare, yellowish in color, shooting upward from the ocean, southwest of his location and a few miles away."  "the flare reached an apex, then burst into a large golden yellow fireball"