[mad_as_he$$]

I don't buy your argument. The radar returns are close enough that the PASSUR system assigned the same ID to both. My guess is that they never programmed the system to separate two returns in close proximity where they do not BOTH respond with IFF codes. When it comes to software using the word "impossible" is invalid. Software is written by humans - humans don't always think of everything and they do screwup. Ask Airbus and Boeing they have both crashed planes due to software problems.

[GOP_1900AD]

Indeed, the reason why the AA flight info got transfered to the bogey was likely that the bogey got assigned the same info as the plane's transponder by the software.

[PushinTin]

Really, I programmed it for 13 years, taught it in OKC at the FAA academy for 5. Course manager/Lead instructor. Please tell me how it works...

[Rokke]

"I don't buy your argument. The radar returns are close enough that the PASSUR system assigned the same ID to both."

With all due respect, that is because you don't understand the technology involved. The proximity of the radar returns in a passive system is irrelevant and the PASSUR system doesn't assign any ID's. It simply reads what is transmitted to it. The "radar" (it is really only a receiver) can only see what is sent to it. And what is sent to it is a very specific signature that provides very specific information about the aircraft carrying the transmitter. All commercial aircraft now fly with a similar system (TCAS) that is used to prevent midair collisions. It relies entirely on the same transponder transmissions and is incredibly precise at fixing aircraft positions. But it can only "see" what is transmitted to it, and cannot display anything else.