Alright, just getting the info on this big event, and I've got a few issues Id like to add in... since I fly a C172 nearly everyday I think I've got a little bit of experience.First off, If im correct he flew 20 miles to this area? Now, I'm assuming giving the circumstances, that he flew direct from the airport.
Now let's assume he flew for an hour, which he obviously didnt... and lets remind everyone who doesnt know, when someone parks a C172, the tanks are to be filled to avoid Condensation, and the after effect Vapour LockNow any decent school/club does this. So lets assume he had standard tanks, and had 38Gal on board, 34 of which were useable, but not that, that matters, so he flew for one hour we'll say, and burned 8 Gallons of gas, leaving him 26 Gallons of AVGAS, which as mentioned before, isnt the best at putting out fires... there should of been a fireball, and resulting fire, an absolute near impossibility, in a nearly fully loaded Cessna when the wings come off....
Now as for the whole TOP GUN idea? Perhaps this guy was a really crappy pilot... because for any of us who have flown them, even in the worst turbulence, they're not that hard to handle... At least well enough to avoid large buildings, even though there are the obvious major downdrafts, and turbulence associated with large buildings.
I don't know if this pilot meant to say "near impossibility" seems like he's driving at the fact that there SHOULD have been a fire?
I agree. This is a totally confusing sentence, and very poor writing. Thus I would ignore this person's work.
Reality generally is a good guideline. The wings reportedly did come off and fell into the street. There was not a huge fire at point of impact. The firemen reportedly foamed the aviation gas which was all over the place. So, if he meant it was nearly impossible for the plane not to have caused a fireball, then maybe it was a miracle. President Bush had just asked for prayers for a spiritual sheild over the country.
Guess I'll start praying more. Looks like it works.