[MHGinTN]

DD, wouldn't a well fed Pelican sucked into the roters of an engine on an Airbus under strain (as in that infamous turn) cause the motor to disintegrate and send pieces parts into the fusilage and thus tear pieces off of the hide? ... [We're gonna have to get a handle on these terrorist pelicans, eh?] I'm amazed at the number of folks who appear to WANT this to be a terrorist attack. Haven't we gotten back to the basic stats on airline accidents yet? This is likely a very tragic accident, not some terrorist attack.

[workerbee]

I'm amazed at the number of folks who appear to WANT this to be a terrorist attack. Haven't we gotten back to the basic stats on airline accidents yet? This is likely a very tragic accident, not some terrorist attack.

No one WANTS this to be a terrorist attack, MHG. You're right, it could simply be a very tragic coincidence. However, given 1) we're at war, 2) it was a plane crash, 3) in NYC, 4) today we observe Veteran's Day....

Well, I think it's certainly understandable that people are doing some fierce speculating.

[Denver Ditdat]

DD, wouldn't a well fed Pelican sucked into the roters of an engine on an Airbus under strain (as in that infamous turn) cause the motor to disintegrate and send pieces parts into the fusilage and thus tear pieces off of the hide? ...

Ingesting something as big as a pelican would definitely be bad news. That's a heck of a big piece of FOD - kiss that engine goodbye.

As to what it really is - I dunno. Anything I say would just be a WAG, nothing else.

[SarahW]

You are amazed by the number of people who "want"(!) this to be a terror attack?

Respectfully, wishful thinking has nothing to do with the possibilities of attack.

Denial is not always the best coping mechanism.

[Ada Coddington]

DD, wouldn't a well fed Pelican sucked into the roters of an engine on an Airbus under strain (as in that infamous turn) cause the motor to disintegrate and send pieces parts into the fusilage and thus tear pieces off of the hide? ...

No pelicans in Jamaica Bay. However, it bears to KIM that this was an old Airbus and it did crash shortly after takeoff. At this point I vote for non-terrorist.