Quite, oldoberon, A lack of small debris would suggest that the a/c remained substantially intact, as Mr Polacco implies, Primary and secondary flight controls are the most vulnerable to becoming detached on impact, without compromising the main structure. However, the proposition that the a/c could have completed a relatively smooth ditching in the southern Indian Ocean - not known for a glassy-smooth surface - after running out of fuel is remarkable, whether a pilot was at the controls or not. If not, an a/c trimmed for clean flight would touch down at a similar speed with too high a rate of descent. To reiterate the obvious, a human pilot and high-lift devices (slats and flaps) would be essential for any chance of success.