People, I already supplied the answer.

And if it wasn't, I've been sitting here chanting "I wish that were really the answer" so now it is.

I like my answer better.

Hmmm...I guess I'll have to buy the next tape to find out what happens when contradictory request are made of the universe with equal vehemence.

If you compare before and after shots of the plane (yeah, it's a slow day here at work...)



You can see what's missing is the "pod" that makes up the leading edge of the wing. I'm going to have to go with a bird strike. Much like the shuttle Columbia which had wing damage on take off. A bird (or other object) cracked the leading edge and once the plane was at speed and altitude it gave way.

So there you go. A run of the mill airline accident. No reason to worry.

Please share with the class after you find out. Maybe you can go on Oprah and discuss it with her too. "Next on Oprah: The Secret vs. Smokey".

I finally read the entire article and was amused by this:

It seems to me that the "in their pants" part of that sentence could be edited without harm to the informational content.

That level of detail is really only needed if they were defecating somewhere more noteworthy. "Also, a large number of passengers reported defecating in the overhead compartments when the incident occurred."

Some how I can't see myself reporting that, even if it did happen.