[ValerieUSA]

Turbulance on that nice clear day didn't strike the plane apart. Something solid struck the plane, not a gust of air.

[eno_]

No, nothing, at least nothing massive, hit the plane. Yet six carbon fiber lugs that could lift a house snapped at the same instant. The engines are held on pretty good, too. And they came down intact and appernently with no malfunctions. They were not hit by anything. Aerodynamic forces of a plane "flying" in a way it was very much not meant to do is what caused these parts to be torn off.