East Moriches became known internationally on July 17 , 1996 , when TWA Flight 800 exploded off the coast and fell into the Atlantic Ocean . The U.S. Coast Guard Station , East Moriches , was used by emergency responders , and was the site where the bodies were initially prepared for transport . A helipad was constructed at the station , and the media located their equipment and crews there for breaking news . Today there are parks in Smith Point and Center Moriches on Long Island dedicated to those who died in the crash , and a plaque bearing their names . The cause of the explosion , which killed all 230 passengers and crew on board , was determined to be a short circuit which caused the contents of the centre-wing fuel tank to explode ; however , many alternative theories exist
many alternative theories exist
TWA Flight 800 conspiracy theories
East Moriches, New York