Better than that. In BEA IR #3, there is a picture of a recovered Flap rail that
was EXTENDED. The "Extended" was in their caption, it is not my conjecture.
Thx, jcjeant for explaining this misleading picture.
Hypothetically, since S/F trace is U/A, it cannot be ruled out that that is
exactly how the Rudder was reinvigorated after RTLU instant at a/p loss.
Well, NO....IF S/F where selected (in flight S/F lever #1, slats only! are extended to 16°) the RTLU traces would have shown +/- 31° to allow max. rudder deflection of 35° within 10s.
There is no sign of such RTLU movement so we can conclude FLAPS were FULL retracted and slats (only IF selected) never reached the 16° position.
A hint? RIGHT ROLL, the bias is apparent from the outset, and cannot be
explained. He had extended the brakes, and stowed them, and the evidence is
unclear that all were successfully stowed at deselect.
For that matter,
it is not impossible that one or more spoilers was lost in the air.
No abnormalities at the spoiler traces before 02:13:40 (@ PRIM1/SEC1 selected OFF).
I admit these are servo positions only, but why should a panel separate if the lower gap is closed by the retracted! flaps.