1st post from SLF here. I'm not a journalist.
Neptunus Rex:
The aircraft was overweight, C of G outside the aft limit, taking off downwind, a 10 inch spacer missing from the main undercarriage
But it took off and flew.
1. Would it have continued to do so in this state had there been no fire?
2. If the aircraft had only lost 25% of its thrust, would it have continued to fly?
3. Would the airframe damage from the fire have knocked it down anyway, even were it within weight, CG, etc.?
and eyewitnesses reported that it was already on fire before it hit the titanium
I've never seen a reason given for why it might have been on fire before hitting the strip. Is there one?