Originally Posted by
patrickal
Isn't it quite possible that if a portion (or all) of a wing failed at that point due to aerodynamic forces, that the rapid release of fuel in the slipstream would create a fireball which could be perceived as an explosion? Much like the fireball which erupted at the breakup of the Space Shuttle Challenger was caused by the failure of the main tank. In that case, It appeared to be an explosion, but in true defined terms, it was not.
Agree, the term "explosion" was imprecise. What you have described is exactly what I was thinking including the example you used: fire-weakened structural failing under load, likely a wing spilling its load of fuel.
PJ2