Cross winds
Was at Denver that night. Don't recall the wind being especially gusty (in fact thought it was quite a nice evening when returning the hire car).
"Captain Speaking" said the flight had to wait as there was a problem with another a/c and that he would taxy to a quiet spot and switch off the engines". After some minutes, it was time to move and I watched out of the port side the flashing blue lights in the distance. Seemed an uneventful takeoff.
So perhaps the point about gusts being a major cause of the crash may not be borne out? Quite a puzzle though....
Roger