Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
TWA 800 was going from JFK to Paris (CDG), and yes there would have been no need for center tank fuel on that short of a flight. The center tank has a scavenge pump, but even with that you can never get all of the liquid fuel out of that tank.
When you say "ignite", to you mean catch fire - or explode? And was the tank sealed or vented?
Carl
They were really light.... Under 600,000 lb's! Since the only pump to not have been recovered was a center scavenge pump:
Most aircraft I have flown have scavenge pumps, but they are venturi effect (i.e. motive flow) only. I'm sure there are a few classic whale guys on here who can speak to what sort of functionality they have... anyone?