If aerodynamically stowed, and absent hydraulic pressure, can they flutter?
Not as advertised, it is kept stowed by hydraulic lock internally.
Of course after degradation internal leakage could be introduced but this
was youngest A330 in AF fleet (MSN 660 age:4years 3 months).
It's position remains monitored even if locked by FCPC/FCSC command.
Also, RTLU. Is Rudder centered before limit is ennabled?
In AP mode rudder trim is deactivated. as last step after Eng. startup any rudder trim should be zeroed.
– RUD TRIM ............................................................ ............................................................ ......ZERO
If RUD TRIM position indication not at zero, press the RESET pushbutton.
RTLU and subsequent PTLU are active in all modes incl. AP, therefore deflection can never be more than RTLU will allow.
Any chance of (R) Rudder staying with the a/c all the way, without annunciated ECAM or ACARS rpt?
Not - by any change - for sure Rudder didn't departed while still in the air.
Absence of any other Rudder / Hydraulic / HF message would be proof VS was still attached before impact.
Besides that, the THS actuator (taking the loads) is attached to frames that came with the VS.
If VS departed early, THS would be gone too!
Frames 86 and 87: failure of the horizontal stabiliser actuator supports
If jammed at (Right) would there be any ECAM, since the Rudder has (limited) authority anyway? Would the deflection be accepted as an input, not an anomaly?
In C(abled) rudder there is a "F/CTL RUD G(B)(Y) SERVO JAM" if any faulted.