In article ,
Alan Minyard wrote:

I am curious about one thing, if this was an IR manpad, why was the impact
on the wing, well outboard of the engine?

It could have missed. That happens, even with guided missiles.

A change in aspect might have fooled the missile into "thinking" that
the plane was moving away, so it would have gone off early.

The flight path of the missile might have been from the left and above
(plane in a slight bank, missile coming in fairly horizontal). I'm not
too sure about this one, since I haven't seen any photos of the wing.

--
cirby at cfl.rr.com

Remember: Objects in rearview mirror may be hallucinations.
Slam on brakes accordingly.