[okie01]

The vertical stab is "it". Whatever went wrong started here. But...

"the vertical stabilizer was the first piece of debris found, followed by the rudder about 200 yards further down the flight path."

This seems odd, though. The rudder is attached to the fin; so, it should've come off with the fin. And, if it subsequently separated from the fin, why would it have been found further down the flight path. Significantly so -- since the airframe went down a half mile away, the rudder was a full quarter of the way further down the track.

Is the rudder also separately attached to the tailcone? So that it might have been left "hanging", before it too separated?

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

The rudder is attached to the fin; so, it should've come off with the fin. And, if it subsequently separated from the fin, why would it have been found further down the flight path.

Perhaps the heavier piece fell more quickly which is why it was the first to hit the water.

[Solson]

I don't consider the placement of the rudder in the debris field to be that great of significance simply because the rudder weighs much less than the vert. stab. Upon separation, the rudder could have easily floated 200 yards closer to crash site.

This is one thing I find interesting...

Black said the Airbus stopped sending transponder signals at an altitude of about 3,000 feet, indicating that something -- such as a major structural failure -- cut the unit's power. "Primary" target returns -- indicating aircraft or large pieces of debris without working transponders -- began at that point, Black said.

[wjcsux]

Perhaps the rudder actuator stayed with the fuselage after the stab separated. The rudder actuator might have held the rudder with the rest of the fuselage for a short time after the stab was gone.