Just a question (observation) so please don't shoot me!
Everybody seems to be going on about the reduced tailplane authority of the MD-11 but how can this be when any pitch moment goes through a longer 'arm'. ie. The stretched fuselage. (Think somebody posted something like that earlier). Is it not more likely that the operators/manufacturer are more worried about tail strikes? Maybe that is where the problem stems from. But what do I know?
And please remember this is a public forum. No more nonsense about banning aircraft. Don't forget what they go through at testing.
My thoughts are with the families and friends.