The fins of large aircraft are not designed to withstand the stresses induced from side loads (at and below Va = design manoeuvring speed) other than during normal flight ops, turbulence and single engine operation. The A300 accident in New York was simply due to mishandling rather than aircraft design flaw. Structural failure is likely to occur in any medium/large jet if handled in the same manner. To quote the flight manual 'Sudden commanded full, or nearly full, opposite rudder movement against a sideslip can generate loads that exceed the limit loads and can result in stuctural failure....CERTIFICATION REGULATIONS DO NOT CONSIDER THE LOADS IMPOSED ON THE STRUCTURE WHEN THERE IS SUDDEN FULL, OR NEARLY FULL, RUDDER MOVEMENT THAT IS OPPOSITE THE SIDESLIP'. (FCOM Bulletin No.827/1)
That said, I'm not sure if the original post was confusing wing down vs crab technique, with sideslip technique.
Last edited by GROUNDSTAR; 27th May 2007 at 19:08.