[r9etb]

The instant they mentioned a 3 mile spread of debris, all my questions were answered.

By which, I presume, you mean to imply it was terrorism.

As for me, I could see that sort of spread taking place as a result of the fact that the plane was at 35k feet, in a line of severe thunderstorms.

The breakup can be explained by the turbulence reported by the pilots; the spread of debris can be explained by altitude, speed, and stuff getting caught in updrafts.

The string of automated failure messages was spread over several minutes, which seems more consistent with an explanation of gradual structural failure.

[NonValueAdded]

The string of automated failure messages was spread over several minutes, which seems more consistent with an explanation of gradual structural failure.

Well, if we take from the article that sudden - dare I say explosive - decompression causes immediate unconsciousness, would not that happen to the cockpit crew as well? Do they normally have one person on oxygen? Consider the plane is on autopilot, decompression occurs rendering all aboard unconscious or worse, plane flies on as the damage continues to worsen due to aerodynamic forces, sending out the automated messages as it happens, until the plane finally breaks apart at altitude.

[PapaBear3625]

As for me, I could see that sort of spread taking place as a result of the fact that the plane was at 35k feet, in a line of severe thunderstorms. The breakup can be explained by the turbulence reported by the pilots; the spread of debris can be explained by altitude, speed, and stuff getting caught in updrafts. The string of automated failure messages was spread over several minutes, which seems more consistent with an explanation of gradual structural failure.

I wonder if bomb damage, and resulting damage to the plane's aerodynamic characteristics, could have been mistaken for "turbulence" by pilots in a storm as the plane came apart around them.

[tang-soo]

As for me, I could see that sort of spread taking place as a result of the fact that the plane was at 35k feet, in a line of severe thunderstorms.

Isn't it tru that most modern aircraft have sopisticated enough RADAR that they can avoid nearly all storms?

[dixiechick2000]

“As for me, I could see that sort of spread taking place as a result of the fact that the plane was at 35k feet, in a line of severe thunderstorms.”

Thank you both for your posts!

Those huge thunderstorms topped 50k feet.

http://www.weathergraphics.com/tim/af447/