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Old 16th May 2010, 11:57
  #459 (permalink)  
snowfalcon2
 
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I found a website listing the tail strike angle of the A330-200 at 15.5 degrees with the main gear oleos extended.

If the airplane hit the ground tailcone first, as C-SAR's observation suggest, the angle of attack must have been even greater.

This would also be consistent with a natural pilot reaction to pull the stick fully back as Mother Earth comes too close in the go-around.

I'm a little skeptical whether it made any difference if the tailcone snagged a powerline. In my experience a power line hung from wooden poles is not of the strongest variety (although it may survive a tree falling on top). Also wooden poles tend to be fairly low, 5-7 metres or so. So I'd suggest the airplane was doomed anyway at that point. But I have obviously not seen this particular powerline up close.
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