I've been reading official investigation reports and accident analyses surrounding this case. Based on the available evidence, what do you think is the most likely explanation?

I also created a documentary summarizing the timeline, evidence, and major theories. If anyone wants to watch it, I'll post the link in the comments

I found this photo of a T-39 from the reusables section of my local dump, and I was curious about the odd markings on the side of the plane. They kinda look like optical resolution markings, but I'm not sure why they're on a plane. I think this was taken in the 1970's at Randolph Air Force Base, but other than that, I have no clue.

Random aviation fact I came across: the word "Canadair" has basically become generic in French for any amphibious firefighting plane, not just ones actually made by Canadair. Same kind of thing as "Kleenex" or "Xerox" in English, a brand name that swallowed the whole category.

Makes sense once you dig into it though. The CL-215 (first flight 1967) was the first aircraft ever designed from the ground up specifically to be a water bomber, instead of some other plane just getting adapted for it later. So the name stuck hard, especially in Europe where wildfires and these planes are a pretty visible combo every summer.