I see three possibilities for the DFDR memory module after breaking away on water impact:
- Unencumbered free fall
- Entanglement in another component
- Being covered by another object once on the bottom.
We don't yet know if small dense objects would bury themselves in the bottom on final impact. That depends on the composition of the ground. However it seems that other dense objects have not dug themselves in deeply.
I expect a complete visual search of the area will be the next step in the hope that the memory module is not covered or entangled by a larger piece.
Lifting components from the tailcone may be especially problematic as there is a possibility that the memory module could fall out; so, it would first be necessary to place each component over a net to catch bits that might fall out during the hoist. You want to close the scuppers before releasing the net on deck as it would not do for a certain cylindrical object to roll away back into the deep
