I'll buy that. Let me try another approach. On final analysis the NTSB there were 258 streak of light witnesses, yet only 38 describe the streak as moving vertically or nearly so. This is from pg 232 of the NTSB final report. Certainly each of these witnesses saw the streak, but less than 20% reported it moved vertically. Who are we supposed to believe?
That's meaningless. Seeing as some witnesses described a "flare" rising upwards vertically and then leveling off, flying more or less horizontally, the data you cite merely indicates that some people saw that streak at different times (only 38 seeing it during the vertical stage of flight). So that data does not tell us what it was or was not and it does not present any contradictions.
On the other hand, the data I posted about those who said where the "flare" originated (93% with a clear view of the origin saying it originated from the surface/horizon) does indicate what was most likely seen.