For the sake of the ignorant, could somebody explain what exactly the crew "experienced" in order to make the decision to land.
Clearly the fault is major and could have had a catastrophic outcome had they not been able to put it down, however from the SASless post ("Pretty sharp eyes to have seen that whizzing about over yer noggin!") and from the explanation from Um...Lifting (merci, petite chou) it is not clear what indications the crew would have had.
Just for the curious.
Thanks and ditto "well done the crew",
FO.