>>Quite a few hypotheticals in that piece ...
Agreed, but from those in the business:
1/ What the Gumm’nt says happened with TWA 800 didn’t.
2/ We will never know the truth about TWA 800.
3/ The Airbus (pumping the rudder in turbulence) scenario is quite plausible.
4/ The American public is usually satisfied with far less than the whole truth, is satisfied with “feel good” answers, and doesn’t often ask many questions. “Truth in itself is rarely sufficient to make men act.” Clauswitz, 1832
What information are you lacking? That will narrow down the response.