The point is roll or rate of roll was not the cause. The aircraft was pitched up and held there otherwise there is sufficient margin from VSW even at FL350 for the rock n roll.
Vilas,
What you say is absolutely correct as to the overt behavior of the aircraft and apparent reason for the AF447 pitch up. As you probably know, some of us have been looking at roll PIO as a possible causative human factor in the otherwise inexplicable piloting failure that caused the AF447 accident.
Very few airline pilots have ever experienced any form of PIO event, and the mental effects on a pilot trying to fly during such an event are definitely under-appreciated.
Anyone wishing to expand their knowledge of PIO (also known as APC) would do well to obtain a copy of
Aviation Safety and Pilot Control: Understanding and Preventing Unfavorable Pilot-Vehicle Interactions by Committee on the Effects of Aircraft-Pilot Coupling on Flight Safety |The concepts are understandable without having to be proficient with the associated mathematics.
