[ChemistCat]

One "g" is the force you feel right now, pulling you toward the center of the earth. If you were sitting at your computer on the moon, you'd feel 1/8th the force. If a mere third to eight-tenths of that much force (in the form of the wind pushing rather than the earth pulling) snapped the vertical stabilizer of this plane, something must have been wrong with the plane. Imagine somehow turning the aircraft over on its side somehow and exposing the vertical stabilizer to a full g pulling it sidewise to its normal orientation. Should it break? I don't think so. I am quite sure they are supposed to handle much greater force than that.

Hope that helps.

[Loopy]

I should think in a normal banking turn then that as much force as .3 - .8 would be experienced on the vertical surface no?

[.38sw]

Interesting discussion on this thread

There is discussion that the vertical stabilizer had been damaged either during manufacture or shortly thereafter, something about coming de-laminated, repaired by the contractor, then attached to the plane. Also, this aircraft had suffered a severe turbulnece incident about 7 years ago - severe enough that 42 passengers were injured. I had heard this information on the news this morning. Now, if the vert. stab. already had a problem and then suffered some severe forces later on, is it outside the realm of possibility that it could shear off later on? On the thread above, there are photographs of the stabilizer - it looks like it broke off pretty cleanly. I ain't no expert here, but is it possible that this really was an accident? Also, there is another thread on this forum about the airbuses now being inspected.

I expect now i'll be flamed as a gubbmnt sympathizer.