What if it let go at 39,000 instead?
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I am interested in comments from those in the know on the impact if any of a greater air pressure differential had this hole developed say at max altitude. It seems to my uneducated mind that the greater the pressure difference the greater the forces when it let go. Could this have been a total loss in that circumstance?
Too many unknown variables (since we don't know the cause yet). If it's a structural failure in the pressure vessel then the altitude pressure differential is
likely not significant to the damage. The most significant mitigation to ruptures under pressure is the rib structure in the airplane that limits the size of the hole.