Whilst I'm reading here about the piloting experience levels and radar operation expertise, and the various levels of indication anomalies...can I remind everyone that the vertical stabilizer was found some 30nm from the site of the main crash debris!
Take that as you will, but for my money that component didn't ride the fuselage all the way to the water.
Maybe that may have had some affect on the piloting capabilities!
Aren't we getting a little sidetracked here!
Cheers...FD...
