Lahr
Lahr v. National Transportation Safety Board
Opinion
Opinion
Matz, J.
ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART DEFENDANT CIAS SECOND MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT
INTRODUCTION
“Certain historical facts are unassailable, while others are constantly subject to attack and, ultimately, remain shrouded in mystery and confusion.” Minier v. Central Intelligence Agency, 88 F.3d 796, 799 (9th Cir.1996). This irrefutable observation aptly describes the controversy that triggered this lawsuit. Barely more than ten years ago, on July 17, 1996, a United States commercial aircraft — TWA Flight 800 — exploded in mid-air off the coast of Long Island. Everyone aboard perished. What happened? How? Why? Who was responsible? Was it an accident? A terrorist attack?
Of course there was an official investigation. And of course there was an official explanation. And of course there was an ensuing torrent of critics and skeptics who challenged the bona fides of the investigation and rejected the explanation.
Equally predictable, the doubters (or at least Plaintiff, representing one group of them) have now turned to the courts to seek a ruling ordering the Government to turn over information that it has thus far withheld. For the reasons set forth below, I find…