[blam]

"I am one of the most ardent RKBA supporters on FR, but you need to point out the flaw in this hypothesis: why it could not happen."

I have been fearful of this possibility for decades. Take-offs would be more vulnerable than landings. In fact, I believe it could be accomplished with a good hunting rifle.

[Travis McGee]

The fact that this plane was bound for the DomRep falls in line with an end of runway sniper scenario. The hypothetical sniper, acting on his own, would only see "American Airlines" as the jet turned into position for take off. He would not know where it was bound.

The sniper would want a large two engine jet to maximize the odds of a crash: a 4 engine 747 would be less likely to crash after losing one engine on takeoff.