sampublius:
Max speed of AN 26 is somewhat- a lot less than 777 at cruise
max altitude of AN 26 is at least 15K LESS than MH-17
Both have two engines OK but An26 has props 777 does not
So why claims of confusion ??
The origin of this seems to have several aspects:
- A new toy in the hands of inexperienced operators
- A "point and shoot" targetting system
- Little analysis by the operators other than the direction the aircraft was coming from
- No visual due to height
- A combination of wanting to destroy materiel belonging to the other side, plus fear of bombing runs
- <i>Maybe</i> an escort by fighters which would have seemed suspicious on radar (large return flanked by smaller returns) - though this has gone quiet over the last few hours
- Little or nothing to be gained by deliberately shooting down a plane in no way connected to the conflict.
I personally go with the cock-up theory here. That isn't to say that someone isn't responsible, but not beginning warlike rhetoric seems to be a good response.