posted on March 24, 2002 07:38:35 PM new
Someone here (krs?) was wondering if a plane actually crashed into the Pentagon or was shot by a missile right before crashing into the Pentagon, on Sept. 11th.
From a good friend who works at the Pentagon, today:
Per the Pentagon. There was no missile shot at the plane from the Pentagon.
> We were taken by surprise totally. The photos don't show any plane parts
> because the plane was totally engulfed in flames and when the second engine
> exploded (about 10 minutes after impact) that destroyed any remnants of the
> plane. The heat from the fire was intense and there were even very few
> bodies that survived to be identified inside the plane and at the point of
> impact to the building. Most bodies that were pulled out were a ways away
> from impact and the fire.
Well, and, yes, I suppose your believing the above would have to depend on how much you trust that I can trust this friend. So, take it for what it's worth!
posted on March 24, 2002 09:08:32 PM new
I can not imaigine what would be associated with a jet engine that could delay and then explode 10 minutes later.
Jet engines have no resevoirs of fuel or anything that could support combustion.
So I guess it comes down to believing whatever explainations your friend was given by his superiors on the scene to explain continuing explosions.
I don't regard that as disrespecting your friend at all.
I can see something like a air pressure tank or something already in the Pentagon exploding from cooking in the fire 10 minutes.
Certainaly none of the fuel tanks in the plane survived more than an instant from the impact.
posted on March 24, 2002 10:12:44 PM new
Very interesting, all of you. I'd forgotten that the speculation was about a high-energy beam. . . .
Well, anyway, that's what they're telling us now, and I wonder if we'll ever know? Maybe the truth (if there's more truth than we know now) will be slowly revealed, like the Watergate papers and tapes, over another lifetime.
posted on March 24, 2002 11:14:20 PM new
Instead of exploding the engines are usually the biggest pieces left after a crash because they have a huge strong steel central shaft with discs and blades attached that can withstand high temperature at 10,000's of RPM. The only way they "explode" is if they break apart when they are spun to full RPM under load. That usually happens when they are climbing out at full power. The rest of the plane is mostly built like a soft drink can. Thin aluminum and plastic. The only other pieces that stay big - the landing gear struts add wheels. Been to too many crashes actually. Seen too many shoes without anyone in them.
In the TV special on the WTC crash they showed one engine sitting on the street corner that had passed all the way through the building - fell about 80 stories to the street - and it was still recognizable what it was although it was a little crooked and compressed. The center shaft still had discs bolted on it and turbine blades but the outer housing and bypass ducts were all stripped off.
Looked like one of the cans they put on the marked down rack at the supoermarket because the guys drop the case on the floor.
