Originally Posted by bearfoil @ 21st Apr 2011 09:40
As JAL shows, I think they remained relatively in control, but meandered in heading until they impacted the mountain. My point is that a fairly level arrival is possible w/o the Fin.
The point is not proven as possible. The JAL B747 was not without the fin. The aircraft remained relatively in control because two thirds of the vertical stabilizer remained, (leading edge, fore and aft spars - the rudder separated as did the top 1/3 of the VS).
The only example we have to go by which speaks to loss of the VS before impact is the AA587 accident, which crashed immediately. The separation of the engines from the airframe was due to high lateral loads, due to the loss of the vertical stabilizer.