[upchuck]

Reason number 687 why I have quit flying for good.

From the looks of those pics, it appears an explosive device placed in the overhead storage bin went off. But obviously not completely or with full force as the plane was able to land safely.

[Riley]

The same thing (but worse) happened some years ago to a flight near the Hawaiian islands. A stewardess got sucked out and was lost in the Pacific Ocean. No explosives involved- it was a metal fatigue issue, if I recall correctly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloha_Airlines_Flight_243

[freedumb2003]

>>Reason number 687 why I have quit flying for good.<<

Statistically, flying is much much safer than driving. When you saw a car accident, did you swear off driving?

[ecomcon]

That was my thought also. I suppose terrorism has been ruled out already, per sop.

[AGreatPer]

Oh come on, that is purely a simple fatigue failure.
It is simply going to happen sometimes depending upon how that plane was used, etc.

[Candor7]

That is my assumption, My guess is an exploded compressed ai or LOX container with a timer of some sort.A new bomb design, specifically eant to bring down airliners.Call it a torpedo.I don’t buy a panel failure either.Not uless the aircraft wss uder entreme manuevering torgue. The panel would hae to buckle before it let go, the tail twisting minutely from the rest of the air frame, or jinking from a dive or rapid pull up.I just don’t buy the explanation.

I think the explanation is anti panic fodder for the masses.
Passive failure in s sub sonic ihas to be related to strees through maneuvering. I am not convinced.Its much safer to asuune sabotage and disprove it.Gas driven torpedo in a tube is my guess.

[dools0007world]

In the absense of any other logical explanation I agree with you. The plane is not “old”. I suppose there could be a manufacturing defect involved as well.

If I were a terrorist I’d find a way to get my bomb in the overhead.