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Old 2nd July 2009 | 17:42
  #2717 (permalink)  
Graybeard
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 896
Likes: 2
From: SoCalif
I believe the aft fuselage that supports the Vertical Stabilizer is unpressurized, and may not have to be as strong as the pressure vessel.

The plane hit the water tail-low. That could have forced the aft fuselage to bend or break upward into the rudder, ripping the entire assembly free, and leaving the damaged bottom of the rudder as evidence.

GB
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