Pilot Says He Saw Explosive Projectile Before Crash

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (July 29, 1997 09:15 a.m. EDT) -- An Air National Guard helicopter pilot who witnessed the explosion of TWA Flight 800 believes the jetliner was downed by an explosive projectile, "The Press-Enterprise" newspaper reported Tuesday.

Frederick C. Meyer, one of two helicopter pilots who saw the plane explode, said he did not know what the projectile was or where it came from, but is convinced he saw an "ordnance explosion" near the plane.

Meyer, a lawyer and former Vietnam War helicopter pilot, has already been interviewed by investigators but is speaking out again after FBI and National Transportation Safety Board officials made public statements giving mechanical causes as the most likely reason for the disaster.

Investigators say an explosion in the center fuel tank brought down the Boeing 747, but they don't know what caused it and have never ruled out a bomb or missile.

"I know what I saw. I saw an ordnance explosion," Meyer told the Riverside newspaper. "And whatever I saw, the explosion of the fuel was not the initiator of the event. It was one of the results. Something happened before that which was the initiator of the disaster."

The July 17, 1996 crash into the Atlantic Ocean off New York's Long Island killed all 230 people aboard.

Meyer, 57, said he saw a streak from west of the spot where the jetliner exploded. His co-pilot that night, Capt. Chris Baur, told investigators he saw a streak coming from the east.

Baur has previously said he believed a missile struck the plane.

Meyer said he believes there were two projectiles but could only testify about the one he saw. He refused to discuss Baur's statements, saying it would be inappropriate and would detract from the substance of each account.

Meyer also said he could not say whether the object that struck Flight 800 was a missile.

"I don't know," he said. "It could have been. But there is a big difference between could have been and 'I saw a missile."'

NTSB officials said Meyer's statements were new to them and that he had not previously shared his conclusions with investigators.

Meyer said he sought out and spoke with two FBI agents the second day after the crash, but they did not ask any questions. A week later, Meyer said he met with FBI agents and told his story again.

He also had two briefings with NTSB officials. One was in January, when officials spoke with him for five minutes, Meyer said.

Meyer retired from the Air National Guard in May after he was passed over for promotion to lieutenant colonel, two years short of the mandatory age to end his flying status.