Coincidence? A look at conspiracy theories
The crash happened when the Internet was still in its infancy, and it became one of the first news stories fueled by online speculation and conspiracy theories. For some, the findings of the NTSB investigation - which concluded after a four-year probe that the crash occurred because a spark ignited the center fuel tank - were never satisfactory. Among the theories: the plane was shot down by a missile -- either as a terrorist attack or a Navy exercise gone wrong.
These theories were recently reinvigorated by a group of former investigators who are convinced a TWA Flight 800 was brought down by an outside explosion and have petitioned the government to reopen the probe, citing new evidence.
Read more:TWA flight 800 gets another look 17 years later
Moon landing
Believers in this theory cite details from photo and video footage - such as a flag that appears to flap in the airless environment of space and a rock that seems to have the letter "C" inscribed on it. Some theorists have used Stanley Kubrick's 1968 masterpiece "2001: A Space Odyssey" as proof that the technology existed to create a realistic-looking space environment on film, while others have gone as far as to claim that Kubrick himself had a hand in the hoax.
Roswell
Rumors that a UFO had crashed in the area, and that an alien body was recovered from the wreckage, spread fast. Ever since, Roswell has been synonymous with UFO theories and has been referenced in countless movies and films, including the television series "Roswell" about teenage aliens. The city of Roswell has embraced their status as UFO ground zero and hosts an annual festival that attracts visitors from around the world.
Read more: 65th anniversary of Roswell
CIA and Crack
JFK Assassination
Chemtrails
Websites supporting the chemtrails theory suggest large-scale plans to use chemicals for everything from weather modification to population control and some have even suggested that agricultural corporations are using the sinister technology to destroy organic farming. Believers in this theory have blamed illnesses, including higher-rates of Asthma and COPD, on chemtrails.
Princess Diana's death
But theorists, most notably Fayed's father, Billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed, believe that Diana was murdered. Rumors have persisted that she was killed for being an embarrassment to the royal family and Al Fayed has famously claimed that the death was a conspiracy involving Prince Phillip, Prince Charles and even the CIA. Al Fayed has also stated that he believes Diana was pregnant with Dodi Fayed's child at the time of her death.
Read more: Diana conspiracies will live on