Very early in this thread, I posted the following, but cannot find it now. This is copied from my word processor
Again, I think that there is a good possibility that the airplane may have gone down intact. I based this on the thus far slow or lack of discovery of a debris footprint. Had the airplane failed at altitude, given the altitude, speed, and winds aloft, then one could reasonably expect an extended area of debris which would track with the airplane as it descended. I doubt it would have been difficult to locate.
To compare, I recall all too well the Lockerbie situation with the inflight breakup of PA and the area that was affected. The heavy portion fell in the village, and nearby area, but countless other items extended for miles. Some large, some small.
On the other hand, MS990 created only two relatively small debris field in the Atlantic. One 62 X 66 meters, and the other 83 X 73. This airplane entered the water mostly intact
I still think that the airplane reached the water with the fusillage together, with some failure occuring on impact. This would account for the varied distribution of bodies compared to the seating chart. Had the cabin broke at or around R & L 2, a good case can be made for the galley.