The problem with this scenario is that it could as easily have occurred during the shuttle's takeoff, when its speed and air friction were approximately the same as when landing, and when the shuttle had much more fuel than during landing.

II) It was shot down by extraterrestrials. Maybe they didn't use any weapons to crash it, but simply approached it in their craft, causing Columbia's electronics and engines to fail because of the effects of the alien starcraft's electromagnetic fields. It also may be that an alien craft had approached the Columbia without any malicious intent, but that its electromagnetic field's effects on Columbia's
electronics and engines were unforeseen by the aliens.

This, however, doesn’t explain why the shuttle exploded in the air, instead of merely plummeting to the Earth. Thus, the more likely scenario is that Columbia was shot down by the alien craft.

If so, the question arises: what did the aliens wish to show mankind by their action? Possibly that oil-based engines (which are used even by such advanced craft as space shuttles) have almost reached their peak effectiveness and reliability — and that it is time to develop and actively use alternative and more reliable engines. Today's weapons and missiles, which are much less effective than ray and/or laser weapons, face approximately the same condition. (Some weapons were reportedly tested by the Columbia's crew during the flight,
perhaps by the crew members who were simultaneously active [non-retired] military aircraft pilots: US Air Force colonel Rick Husband and Israeli Air Force colonel Ilan Ramon).

...But who can know for sure how all this occurred in reality? I have to conclude that people tend to find what they are looking for.