[TheRealLobo]

a terrorist would have to kill me and take over the controls himself to get it over a populated area

Which could explain why the plane took an abrupt turn.

If I remember correctly, ALL cockpit doors have been retro-fitted to keep intruders out of the cockpit. Also, the tower received no reports of problems (I think I heard this today). Keep in mind that this happened within (4?) minutes of takeoff. They were still climbing, and it seems a VERY short amount of time for a hijacker to announce himself, gain access to the cockpit, kill the pilot, and gain the controls.

No tinfoil hat here, but, IF it was a terrorist act, it would have to have been a bomb on-board, or a missile/projectile (of some sort). Intellectually, I'm leaning towards mechanical failure, but my heart tells me it COULD have been a bomb.

[NixNatAVanG InDaBurgh]

> If I remember correctly, ALL cockpit doors have been retro-fitted to keep intruders out of the cockpit. Also, the tower received no reports of problems (I think I heard this today). Keep in mind that this happened within (4?) minutes of takeoff. They were still climbing, and it seems a VERY short amount of time for a hijacker to announce himself, gain access to the cockpit, kill the pilot, and gain the controls.

Once again:
Less than a week ago, it was reported that an American Airlines Pilot's Uniform, containing a pilot's license, and KEYS to the cockpit, were stolen from his parked car in the Newark Airport parking lot.

[apackof2]

Intellectually, I'm leaning towards mechanical failure,
but my heart tells me it COULD have been a bomb.

My thoughts also BUT what about person(s) sabotaging the plane while its is still on the ground?
During maintenance, refueling, luggage/food being loaded?