"Perhaps this explains why aircraft fuel tanks are not exploding all the time-- and car fuel tanks as well."
No, not all the time, but I know of at least 2 C130's whose wings have blown up due to defective booster pumps arcing across a defective phase when being switched off/on.
And as for conspiracy theories, well, we all try to keep an open mind, but for those of us flying 747's in recent years, the raft of bulletins, changes to AFM's, drills, QRH's, all to ensure the integrity of the Centre Wing Fuel Tank by making sure the respective fuel pumps are covered in all conditions, all to make sure we don't get downed by a missile???!!!
Sorry, sarcasm and all that, but my meaning's clear.