Originally Posted by
pattern_is_full
The Germanwings crash was hardly "near-vertical." Perhaps we can leave the exaggeration to the media.
Descent rate was ~3500 fpm and took about 10 minutes from top of descent to impact. Roughly a 30° glide path, over a ground track of about 60-70 nm.
It did, of course, hit a steep mountainside, so the impact angle was closer to 70° or so - and was at high speed.
Airbus cannot be put in attitude beyond -15° pitch. So no question of vertical dive. It was just a planned descent.