TWA Flight 840 was a flight that flew from Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport in Rome, Italy to Ellinikon International Airport in Athens, Greece. The flight was bombed on April 2, 1986.
On that day, N54340, a Boeing 727-231 was flying on the route with 114 passengers. A bomb was detonated on the aircraft, sucking 4 American passengers (including a nine-month old infant) to their deaths below. Five other Americans on the aircraft were injured, and a rapid decompression ensued in the cabin. The remaining 110 passengers survived the incident.
A group calling itself the Arab Revolutionary Cells claimed responsibility, saying it was committed because of "American arrogance" and the US clashes with Libya in the Gulf of Sidra the week before.
Investigators concluded the bomb was a 1-pound charge of plastic explosive. It had been placed under the seat cushion by a Lebanese woman (later arrested) working for May 15, a Palestinian splinter group led by a close associate of Yasser Arafat.
Victims, Deceased
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