This is just a factual outline
The cavitation issue may never have been known if this accident never happened. Although it was not causative, we all must agree that it was unexpected. Perhaps several hundred lives were just saved twenty years from now as a result of this incident. The problem with cavitation is kind of like the difference between a styrofoam cup and a glass. The cavitation can cause the liquid (in this case fuel) to become aerated.
The other issue with cavitation relates to debris. The cavities (no matter how small) can not form unless something is lost or disintegrated. While the fuel flow was not impeded, the combination of the aeration and potential debris from the cavitation may have had some impact.