[mnehring]

Seems logical. In both cases, they would have the forward momentum from the airplane. Something exploding in the middle of the airplane would cause the explosive force to radiate outward. Because the explosion was behind the front section, the force would be in a linear path with the current momentum. The force on the fuselage, however, would be directed in the opposite direction of the momentum.

You then have to take into account that the front section would still have a better aerodynamic profile from the nose, so it's forward momentum would continue for a longer period of time. The fuselage, however, would basically be a gaping hole, creating more drag and thusly, the forward momentum would be further decreased and the angle of fall would be steeper.

Or, in layman's terms, the fuselage continued on a forward path for a short period of time while the fuselage fell like a brick.

Nothing strange at all with that.

[mnehring]

Correction:
Or, in layman's terms, the fuselage front section continued on a forward path for a short period of time while the fuselage fell like a brick.