PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - AF 447 Search to resume
View Single Post
Old 16th May 2010, 09:58
  #1067 (permalink)  
henra
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PLanet Earth
Posts: 1,333
Received 104 Likes on 51 Posts
It has been difficult to picture this massive aircraft having directional and aerodynamic problems at 37k losing all its forward speed quickly,
Bearfoil, given the more likely locations of the wreckage it doesn't seem extremely likely the plane immediately shed all its forward speed at 37kFt.
In that case it should be much closer to the last known position assuming that things already went pear shaped while ACARS message were being transmitted

The 330 has massive mounts (six of them) rooted deep into the Tail/Fuselage, but they failed. It is difficult to picture a vertical impact simply causing the VS/Rudder to plow down into the Body, then symmetrically rebounding, having taken the fuselage pieces with it.
edit : /deleted see reason for editing

Still: A >40g vertical impact probably puts more load on the structure then aerodynamic forces at 270kts CAS with a RTL set at 7,9°

Last edited by henra; 16th May 2010 at 10:16. Reason: Correction: Trim Tank in A330 is in THS not VS
henra is offline