Fitter2. In answer to your question; I simply do not know whether or not the a/c should have been in service. What is your point? JP
My point, since it seems necessary to make the obvious in boring detail for your benefit:
I find it unfathomable that in the face of overwhelming evidence someone refuses to acknowledge the airworthiness (or to be precise, lack of) of an aircraft involved in a major accident, but (in the total absence of evidence to support their view) is certain they knew what happened.
You must be an Air Rank Officer.