Wouldn't that sort of snag be more noticed ( & terminal ) at take-off for reasons of
A; takeoff not happening,
B; wing loading / fallings off ?
Maybe someone - probably not Mexican but a touch further North - has decided ' no more Mr Nice Guy '...
As the structure, as previously described, is so surgically cut maybe it was used as a test for the 747 Laser Thingie !
As for the crew getting away ?
