I am not an expert in Aerodynamics so I will not speculate on that topic. I did, however, fly with a captain the other day who was one of the first AA pilots to go to France for 300-600R training. Among other things, he told me that the Airbus rudder is not actually burried in to the airframe it is simply glued and bolted on. That doesn't sound good to me.
Also, through various publications and books that I have read lately regarding, among other things the shoot down of TWA 800, the NTSB has about 0.0% credibility with me and I am sure that the final report will convey what is considered politically expediant. What is politically expediant is that Sten Molin caused the airplane to crash through excessive use of rudder. Weather or not that is the truth is irrelevant.