[discostu]

But the Chinese fighter was next to our plane thus ahead of the turbulence. Clearly under normal circumstances turbulence doesn't tear planes apart, unless there's something wrong with the plane to start with, then it could be the final stressor.

[Steven W.]

These numbers differ from those reported on the 1st day when they said that the plane took off 7 minutes after the previous plane and that NTSB recommendations were 4 minutes.

[eno_]

The whole thing is very weird: How could an explosion in the middle of the plane rip the tail off so cleanly? Or, how could air load on the tail cause a "bright flash," "fire," and loud noise near the center of the plane, under the wing? And didn't part of a wing come off, too? The engines certainly did, and not due to them exploding. Also, in how many pieces did it hit the ground? I recall mention of a separate piece of fuselage. Whatever it is it is damn strange.