newswatcher
I think what you'll find is said is more along the lines of "the part WAS important, BUT the aircraft can fly safely without it." (That's why they fitted more than one - safety through redundancy). Subtle but clear difference from your inference.
Incidentally, the rudder didn't fall off - a small section at the trailing edge was lost with no effect on handling - and nothing LIKE as serious as a single engine failure on a twin (which events very rarely make it into the news), but no doubt we'll be treated to the usual dramatic overstatement from the media circusmasters over the next 24 hours.
Last edited by NW1; 4th December 2002 at 10:23.