A Previous Quote:
"The 747 vortex is not so strong to destroy the tail of an airliner like that."
The clockwise rotating vortices from the left wing tip of the 747 can register a force of 300'/sec., according to NASA. The vortex is a horizontal tornado with 200plus mph wind velocities. We know what damages tornados can do on the ground, right.!
Quote:
Airbus says the rudder was pilot commanded, and there is no proof this theory is wrong."
At some point in time the linkages were sheared off their connection with the rudder actuators.! See picture of vertical stabilizer being hauled up off the barge. No linkages attached to the three rudder actuators. The rudder was in pieces and recovered 600 yards from vertical stabilizer.!
No evidence the pilot used right rudder input to counter the steep left bank, along with his full right aileron control input. If the pilot had had rudder control, he may have been able to recover the aircraft.!!!