1.   The damage to the American plane, including the loss of its nose section and the fracturing of several propeller blades, suggests a harrowing collision.

2.   The Shanghai plant also makes nose sections for McDonnell Douglas aircraft manufactured in the United States and Canada.

3.   Although some larger pieces have been recovered from other sections of the plane, most of the pieces from the nose section are small.

4.   The nose section was covered with a green cloth.

5.   This official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the nose section may have been damaged in addition to at least one of the four engines.