[RC2]

Not from the pictures I saw. The contrail was from the surface and the flames from the engine could be seen. You don’t see those kind of flames from a plane. Sorry, I have to disagree.

[Ditto]

The contrail was from the surface and the flames from the engine could be seen.

The contrail started over the horizon (approx 15-20 miles distant), not at the surface. The 'flame' you think you saw was the glint of the setting sun off of the plane's fuselage. Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.

[D-fendr]

Sure the contrail looks like it is from the surface - that's what contrails from planes coming toward you over the horizon look like.

Here's one from a year earlier, same "looks like it's going up" perspective effect:

The "flames" in the KCBS video are the same color as the cloud reflections, same color as the sun. They are only briefly seen. Unlike the white more constant flame from a plane.

The tv station video is very brief, the same shots repeated. And it's edited to give the impression you got. But there's quite a bit of good work done debunking the missile theory.

Go here for a great deal more. on contrails in general and this one specifically.

Here for more on the KCBS video.

[D-fendr]

Sorry, should have been:

"Unlike the white more constant flame from a missile.".

[CharlesWayneCT]

There are no flames on any of the videos or still pictures.