EVERY time our industry changes technologies, we undergo a long period of teething...figuring out new problems that didn't show up before.
For example: High powered turboprop engines and a confluence of engine mount, and wing harmonic frequency and we get WHIRL MODE and the crash of L188 electras.
New structures, new demands and environment and BAM... metal fatigue in the comet.
So, now the computer runs the flight controls by wire. BAM, plane goes nuts.
Fly by wire...weight savings, computer precision.
WELL, I say, take the most reliable, bullet proof methods and stick with them.
Flight controls, by cable, with redundant pathways. Information from computers, but used by human pilots (who are well trained, rested and paid).
IF the Airbus 330 had conventional, cable based flight controls, a simple autopilot easily disengaged by the crew, and easily understood computer information indicating angle of attack AND WE WOULDN'T have had this post/thread at all.
CAN you imagine if this happened during air to air refueling? (proposed airbus330 tanker for USAF)