Originally Posted by
Machinbird
I suspect you are being a bit 'optimistic' sir.
The bits on the bottom probably do reflect the orientation of the aircraft at impact, but not in the way you suggest.
When looking at the N-S extension of the main Debris Trail, I have to admit I'm somewhat in the boat of Mr. Optimistic here.
The N-S extension of the trail is mostly below 100m.
Considering a length of the 'bus of almost 60m this is really not much. It would suggest that nothing broke lose on impact and stopped immediately or no parts continued in forward direction after impact at leat for a couple of dozen meters.
IMHO if any significant forward speed (>50kts) was present I would consider a N-S heading rather unlikely. In that case I would not expect only single pieces outside the main trail basically forming something like
-+- but rather a more rectangular wider area with random debris.
So if I had to put money on the general heading I would put it on something more West to East.
But as always: Happy to stand corrected after FDR Data has been examined and published.
However, I agree the length of the trail and the distribution of the bits and pieces along the trail would be basically purely drift due to currents.