Perhaps you forget AF447. That hit the water at a forward speed of 107 knots and nose-up pitch of 16.2 degrees. It was not "very survivable". Had we seen it, I think we'd have thought it to have a low forward speed and to be in an unnatural nose up position.
IF the eyewitness report is a cousin of the truth, I think Oakape's suggestion of deep stall has merit. Of course eyewitness reports may be correct, far off the mark, or anywhere between
Last edited by archae86; 27th Dec 2016 at 03:27.
Reason: correct typo