Posted on 04/23/2004 1:15:23 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
Indeed...Let's try this one, for starters!Idiotes ...
Let's try somebody in the FLIGHT LANES that evening:
Pilot witnessesNote, no 'missile'.Most of the airborne witnesses were pilots and experienced observers of aircraft. Consequently, they are believed to be especially trained, qualified, and credible observers. These observers can be especially useful because their statements to air traffic controllers are often recorded, and because radar data can be used to determine their position and altitude at a given time.
The captain of Eastwind flight 507 told the witness group that he had observed a "pretty bright landing light" and that he watched it "on and off for over two minutes, minimum, but I probably had seen him [the light] for over five minutes." (From page 19 of the interview transcript, which appears as Appendix Z to the Witness Group Chairman?s Factual Report).
The captain of Eastwind flight 507 was not the only airborne witness to report seeing what he described as landing lights.
Document CC3-416 notes that Witness 702, who was operating a general aviation airplane reported that he "spotted a white light which suddenly exploded into a giant red orange ball."33
However, at 0042:11, Witness 702 (or another person aboard the same aircraft) advised air traffic control, "we saw landing lights facing us and all of a sudden it turned into a bright orange flame"
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Witness 138, Eastwind flight 507?s first officer,
Witness 329 also reported seeing an "explosion" Witness 329 was the captain of Alitalia flight 609. Alitalia flight 609 was located about 21 nautical miles southwest of flight 800, at about 15,400 MSL
Witness 657 and Witness 658 reported that they first saw "flaming debris" above them at an altitude of 4,000 to 5,000 feet these witnesses were aboard a New York Air National Guard (NYANG) HH-60 helicopter located about 15 nautical miles north-northeast of flight 800 at about 600 feet MSL.
Witness 684 was aboard , a NYANG C-130, and reported seeing a "fireball" descend from about 4,000 feet MSL (CC3-480, interviewed July 18, 1996). According to radar data, the C-130 was about 20 nautical miles northeast of flight 800 at about 2,000 feet MSL
Witness 669 reported an "orange ball of light" and estimated that it was at 5,000-6,000 feet MSL (CC-283, interviewed July 26, 1996), and Witness 670 reported a "ball of flames" and estimated that it was at 5,000 to 5,500 feet MSL (CC3-372, interviewed July 24, 1996). These witnesses were aboard a general aviation airplane that was near Brookhaven Airport (about 18 nautical miles northwest of flight 800) at about 3,100 feet MSL.
Witness 110, the captain of Great American Airways flight 507, reported seeing a "flash" between 3,000 to 5,000 feet (CC3-85, interviewed July 24, 1996).
Witness 701, the first officer, reported seeing a "hot pink flash" below his aircraft (CC3-376, interviewed July 25, 1996). At about the time of the last secondary radar return from the accident airplane, Great American Airways flight 507 was located about 76 nautical miles southwest of flight 800, at about 22,800 feet MSL.
? Witness 441, the captain of Piedmont Airlines flight 3112, reported seeing a "bright orange ball of light" between 5,000 and 8,000 feet (CC3-245).
Witness 475, the first officer, reported seeing a "yellow ball" between 4,000 and 6,000 feet (CC3-246). Piedmont Airlines flight 3112 was located at about 19 nautical miles southwest of flight 800, at about 10,600 feet MSL. ? Witness 705 reported seeing "multiple explosions" at about 1,000 feet (CC3- 419, interviewed July 22, 1996). This witness was aboard a general aviation airplane that was located about 12 nautical miles northeast of flight 800 at about 1,200 feet MSL. ? Witness 718, the pilot of an East Hampton Airlines commuter flight, reported seeing a "big fireball" at about 4,000 feet (CC3-459, interviewed July 28, 1996). This flight was about 29 nautical miles northwest of flight 800, at about 2,000 feet MSL.
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