The
recorder also showed an unusual full rudder deflection
If that were true it is interesting the fact was not presented in court at a subsequent civil action. And even it was true, Boeing and another agency found that an uncommanded hard over rudder was easily controllable at high altitude especially as in this case the captain was a former qualified aerobatic pilot. He should have had no trouble righting the 737 had the rudder gone hard-over. By the same token he would also have no trouble at all rolling the aircraft into a steep spiral dive from which recovery would quickly be impossible.