Originally Posted by
infrequentflyer789
Hmmm... If we suppose it went in at near 90deg bank, how much would the uppermost wing be shielded from impact forces by the fuselage?
XL888 went down with the wings still attached (pretty sure there was actual video or photos of the event, but can only find simulations now), I can't find detailed info about how large the wreckage pieces were, but the report refers to a "partial wing zone" in the wreckage mapping, and there are pictures of the stab floating in one piece. Half a wing doesn't sound impossible, even if impacting intact.
In 2000, Alaska 261 went down from FL17800 of Port Hueneme, California - into the Pacific - and there were still several large pieces of the airplane recovered - including the engines.
https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/...ts/AAR0201.pdf
Of course - the angle of entry will dictate what happens to the structure - but I'd nonetheless think they would be some larger pieces recovered.