There is a two hour documentry on this that is playing on cable TV.
During the show, there are lots of theories given by British pilots, and British engeeners, etc. on why the bird crashed. These include, the metal Ti strip, the tire design, the missing wheel spacer, the fuel tank design, overweight condition, early engine shut off, wind direction, fuel pumped from the back to the front tanks, etc.
My view would be that it is a combination of factors but, given the history of shreaded tires, it seems irresponsible to not have modifed the fleet to include kevlar reinforced fuel tanks.
I never understood why these ships were built if breaking the speed of sound causes huge sonic booms which meant they could not fly over land at speed. It seems the fleet was doomed as a commercial venture from the start.
Is there any news on the status of the French trial? I thought it was a 4 month trial that started in February 2010.