[Norse]

Good point about the shoulder fired missle - that would be a catastrophy...and it could happen. I think that's what happened to TWA flight 800 in NYC in retrospect...

[MediaMole]

The DHL incident shows what really happens when a jumbo gets hit by a shoulder-fired missile. It was hit on takeoff, but was able to go around and land safely without any injuries.

[xrp]

Good point about the shoulder fired missle - that would be a catastrophy...and it could happen. I think that's what happened to TWA flight 800 in NYC in retrospect...

A shoulder fired missile couldn't bring down that 2 engine DHL plane in Baghdad a couple of weeks ago. This A380 has 4 enormous engines. Shoulder fired missiles are actually more for use against helicopters than planes, especially jumbo jets.

The SA-7 and Stinger missiles' ranges are about 3km-5km, making it very difficult (but remotely possible) that one of these could have taken it down.