[jonrick46]

An eyewitness who was watching plane landings from his hotel balcony, saw Flight #214 come in for a landing. He heard a “loud pop” followed by a “fireball.” Then, the tail fell off sending the plane cartwheeling. He described a wing coming off, which did not happen. However, was the rest of his description accurate? Did a bomb go off?

[MEG33]

No..The plane came in too low. Hit a jetty..knocking tail off.

[Kirkwood]

I kind of doubt the accuracy of that report. No way a loud pop would be heard before actually seeing the fireball. Plus I see no evidence of cartwheeling or a wing coming off. He just saw something and imagined the rest.

[Steve_Seattle]

"cartwheeling"

I don't think the witness used the right word; this suggests that the plane flipped upside down. But the plane was right-side up, and both wings were attached. I think maybe he meant "pin wheeling," i.e., spinning, rather than cartwheeling or flipping. If it had flipped, I think the wings would have been ripped off and casualties would have been much higher.