Originally sent 7/23/96 and 7/24/96 to FBI

All of the evidence so far published can be explained if the wing fuel port was not secured and opened during take-off.

1. A spiral of vapor around the aircraft could yield a ring-shaped radar echo.

2. A stream of fuel falling from the aircraft could ignite and rise up to the aircraft.

3. None of the bodies were reported to be charred.

4. If the plane leveled off at 8000-9000 feet, the fuel tank would have a dangerous air-fuel mixture.

5. If the vapor cloud contacted the jet exhaust or the stream contacted a hot spot on the ground, ignition could be carried to the fuel tank.

6. The last words of the crew were discussing an erratic fuel gauge on #4 tank. (7/26/96)

a. Is there a warning light that the fuel tank is not capped.

b. Would the flight engineer notice that too much fuel is leaving the wing tank?

1. Is there a warning system? Does it work at 30 degrees angle of attack?

c. What was the angle of attack at the ignition point?

Look for

1. Ruptured fuel tank

2. Concave implosion to exterior of cabin fuselage on #4 side

3. Missing fuel cap on #4 side

4. Record of empty fuel tanker at JFK, leading to fuel jockey aborting re-fueling, but not recapping tank.

5. Charring on #4 side but not other side