in the 3rd pic the fireball is on the aircraft and in pic 4 with the mirror tilted the fireball is still on the aircraft ...

Really, considering the artistic license used by the writers of these articles in order to convey information they don't really understand, this one is not too bad. If you like the idea of using a mirror as a signaling device (highly recommended), get one and practice using it so you aren't "learning" during a situation.