[RonHolzwarth]

This is just like November 22, 1963.

Exactly what happened that day will be debated for decades, if not centuries.

I posted a few comments concerning this subject two or three years ago - It does not make sense that after decades of faithful service, suddenly a center fuel tank on ONLY ONE 747 explodes spontaneously.

[EyeGuy]

"It does not make sense that after decades of faithful service, suddenly a center fuel tank on ONLY ONE 747 explodes spontaneously."

My thoughts exactly. Those decades of faithful service of the magnificently successful 747 design represent billions of safe passenger miles.

However, the documentary (mentioned above) featured a detailed review of the plane's maintenance logs which did reveal some unique mishaps which could indeed have combined to cause the spontaneous center tank explosion.