A couple of questions for an A330 pilot.....
1) With the autopilot disconnected, and flying in the dark, through the ITCZ, with questionable weather conditions (as described by Tim Vasquez), would the rudder be extensively used to help maintain level flight?
2) If the answers to the above is yes, with unreliable airspeed data, and the possibility that the rudder wasn't accurately limited, could it be possible that the crew in trying to control the aircraft in difficult conditions over boosted the rudder which in turn over stressed the vertical stabilizer? From an engineering perspective, I would say yes it is...
MLT
Last edited by MLT; 9th Jun 2009 at 14:22.