[Jambe]

So the question is why are the containments suddenly so vulnerable to attack from the air? I have no doubt that a crashing jet would inflict serious and disabling damage to a nuclear power plant, but I believe that this scenario was foreseen long ago, and engineered into the critical structures right from the start in order to minimize an obvious hazard from the air.

Maybe. I recall watching a program about the Twin Towers in NYC, and why they fell. There was a comment about how when the building was engineered they considered the possibility of a plane hitting the tower. They were focused on the forces that a Boeing 707/727/737 would produce. At the time the Twin Towers were designed, 747's and other wide-body jumbo jets were unknown to the public.

They also stated that their focus was on 'what would happen if a plane accidentally hit a tower'. They NEVER gave consideration (as most people) to what would happen if a modern jumbo jet, fully loaded with fuel were intentionally flown into the structure.

It was the fuel load and resulting fires that brought the towers down.

[dirtboy]

They NEVER gave consideration (as most people) to what would happen if a modern jumbo jet, fully loaded with fuel were intentionally flown into the structure.

Plus, the planes apparently were on full throttle as well, which significantly increased their kinetic energy over a moving much more slowly during a normal takeoff or landing.