Two valid points run through this thread;
- Pilots would not kick rapid full throws of opposite alternating rudder,
- If they did it could cause a structural failure.
Both valid points I think.
They both refer to a healthy aeroplane, however. If the rudder/fin were structurally damaged, causing a full rudder swing and yaw, a pilot might well be brought to put in an opposite input - he doesn't have time to analyse the reason for the initial swing, just corrects the flight path. Depending on the failure, this could aggravate the problem. The rudder might be about to swing to the other side anyway, making the handling just as unpredictable as the Air Alaska MD-80 free floating stabiliser case.
COnclusions for me are;
- I sympathise with the pilots, who were probably in an invidious position,
- I regret that another piece of useful 'how to destroy an airliner' knowledge has been made available to self destuctive terrorist individuals.