[Alberta's Child]

The best argument against a terrorist attack with a surface-to-air missile is that the incident took place way too far east for a terrorist to have any confidence in the ability of a missile to strike a passenger jet flying that high.

This scenario would have made a lot more sense if this had occurred much further west -- closer to JFK Airport in New York City where Flight 800 departed.

[RayChuang88]

I'd agree if that involved a MANPAD. But what if they had access to the hardware of the much more advanced 9K33 Osa SAM system, which can engage planes flying at nearly 40,000 feet altitude? If that's the case, the terrorists could easily have brought down TWA Flight 800.

[B212]

it has been my position that the aircraft, was clearly identified, as TWA-800, by the communications hand off to Boston (I think it was Boston)from NY....seconds after the hand off the explosion destroyed the A/C....not a casual connection, but a deliberate plan to destroy 800....

[okie01]

This scenario would have made a lot more sense if this had occurred much further west -- closer to JFK Airport in New York City where Flight 800 departed.

Unless the terrorists had something more powerful than a shoulder-launched missile...