Should the book be closed on AA587?

[The_Russian]

Video

http://www.ntsb.gov/Events/2001/AA587/tollbooth_web01.wmv

Watch lane 13. There is an explosion. Then a fire ensuses as the aircraft falls toward Queens.

 

[igneousy2]

I don't know if I buy the explosion theory...looked like something came apart and it looked more like mist. It appeared white to me...I believe any other color would have appeared some shade of grey. Additionally, I would have expected some thick black smoke if it was from an explosion and fire.

 

[Gorilla]

The story goes: rudder departs airplane. Yaw ensues. Severe engine pylon side loads rip engine off, thus we get fire.

I don't know if I buy this, but it is very true that those big engine nacelles, when exposed to severe side loads, will say adios and depart the jet. The engine mounts are super-strong loaded fore and aft, not so strong with a side load.