[sam_paine]

If you let that reconstruction run on http://www4.passur.com/lax.html a little bit longer, a weird thing happens at about 12:55. In that same spot where the "rocket" showed shooting up from 1200ft to 7200ft, a "General Aviation" track shows up and hovers there at about 2500ft for several seconds. Hmmm.

[GOP_1900AD]

That would be an interesting wrinkle. A single engine plane could be an alternative to a boat to release a MANPADs out at sea like that. If someone did that, they'd likely take off from the Torrance Airport and fly below the main TCA radars to get out to sea.

[adamsjas]

In that same spot where the "rocket" showed shooting up from 1200ft to 7200ft, a "General Aviation" track shows up and hovers there at about 2500ft for several seconds. Hmmm.

Where are you seeing altitudes? They didn't show on my screen, or the snap shot I posted.

[cgk]

I tried to view it again - but it's hanging. I think we overloaded the server! ;) I will try again in a bit.

[faq]

a weird thing happens at about 12:55

Prior to AA612 passing over the spot of the plane you are talking about, an object pops up near there at 12:50:00 staying at 1200 feet then goes off radar at 12:50:47.

[GregoryFul]

You saw the same thing that I was suspicious of. The General Aviation craft loitered in the area for a long time. That may not be unusual though, someone familiar with viewing this air traffic would be a better source for opinion on what we may be seeing, including the split flight 612 apparition.