bearfoil, quote:
"Without VS/Rudder, both JAL 747 and Sioux City DC10 'landed' flat."
No Sir, the UAL DC10 landed at Sioux City with its fin intact, and (unpowered) rudder in place. Those guys did an absolutely brilliant job, but am confident they would be the first to say that they would never have made it without a fin.
The JAL 747 guys also did a brilliant job, but never had a chance to attempt a landing with their finless aeroplane.