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.
Descending at 3500fpm taking 10 minutes (around 30,000 to 35,000') covering 60-70NM CERTAINLY ain't a 30 degree descent, more like closer to 6 degrees.
So in your own words, "Perhaps we can leave the exaggeration to the media".