3holelover
I think the problem with the simple solution (Occam's razor) has to do with what lomapaseo pointed out. When there isn't much forward speed, but significant vertical drop speed, inlet distortion comes into play on commercial high by-pass fan engines. The engines become starved of air, stall and flameout during the rapid descent resulting in the spool down situation. Whatever rotational speed is left, it ends at impact. Quite honestly, the vertical speed in this incident, resulted in one of the most significant destruction of a high by-pass engine I have ever seen. Even the TWA 800 engine appeared to suffer less destruction.