NY 9/11 WTC Attacks and Other Flight Tragedies

March 26, 2025

West Palm Beach, Fl - When we hear about the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001, and the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800 in 1996, a flood of thoughts and mixed emotions inevitably arises. These two disasters, etched into the collective memory of New York and beyond, stand as somber milestones of loss and resilience. The World Trade Center (WTC) attacks and the downing of TWA Flight 800 are more than historical footnotes, they are deeply personal stories of grief, bravery, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure.

Stacey Goodman, a retired Suffolk County Police Officer and a Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) specialist for the Federal Government, offers a rare and poignant perspective on these events. Having been thrust into the heart of both tragedies, she witnessed their aftermath up close. During an interview on the "Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast", Goodman opened up about the emotional and psychological scars left by her work.

Her first brush with such overwhelming tragedy came with the TWA Flight 800 disaster. On July 17, 1996, the Boeing 747 exploded midair off the coast of Long Island, claiming all 230 lives onboard. The images of wreckage bobbing in the Atlantic and the anguish of families waiting for news remain seared into the minds of those who lived through it. Reflecting on her role in the recovery efforts, Goodman shared, “The weight of these experiences is something you carry with you forever. Working in the heart of such devastation, recovering human remains, and facing the unimaginable grief of victims' families is something that stays with you.”

Years later, that burden intensified when Goodman found herself at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks. For 23 grueling days, she worked on “the Pile”, the smoldering heap of debris that once was the Twin Towers, searching for remains, piecing together fragments of lives lost, and offering closure to families shattered by the horror. “Working at Ground Zero was surreal,” she recalled. “We weren't just sifting through rubble; we were uncovering stories, lives, and the remnants of a tragedy that the world watched unfold in real-time.”

Goodman chronicles these experiences in her book, "The Dust Never Settles", where she delves into the enduring impact of her work. Beyond the physical toll, she grapples with the psychological aftermath and the swirl of conspiracy theories that often follow such events. “There will always be people who question what happened, who suggest alternative narratives,” she acknowledged. “For me, I know what I saw, what I touched, and what I felt. That reality is indisputable.”

The TWA Flight 800 crash, for instance, sparked immediate speculation of terrorism, a suspicion that deepened the pain of an already devastated community. After an exhaustive investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FBI determined that an electrical short circuit had ignited flammable fuel vapors in the plane’s center fuel tank, triggering the explosion. Yet, despite these findings, conspiracy theories persist, often amplified by claims on social media.

The events of September 11, however, left no ambiguity. The coordinated terrorist attacks, carried out by al-Qaeda, killed 2,996 people and forever altered the course of history. Goodman’s firsthand account from Ground Zero serves as a stark reminder of the human toll behind the headlines, a toll she has spent years processing and sharing.

Today, Goodman channels her experiences into writing, public speaking, and podcast appearances, driven by a mission to illuminate the realities of disaster response. Her work is a tribute to the victims and a testament to the resilience of those who carry on. “Sharing these experiences isn't just about recounting the past,” she explained. “It's about remembering the lives lost, honoring their stories, and hopefully helping others find a path forward.”

Her story resonates as a call to remember, not just the tragedies themselves, but the strength required to face them. For those interested in hearing more, Stacey Goodman’s full interview is available on the "Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast", accessible for free on their website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major platforms. Through her voice, we’re reminded of the fragility of life and the enduring power of memory.