[_Jim]

Don't tell us software cannot be a problem -- my brother is a software engineer!

I don't think you have any idea of the practices and special hardware that can be used in hi-rel apps, techniques such as watchdog timers, timed execution of check-sum routines that examine/tally program memory to verigy it's integrity ...

Most programmers have *little* on-the-hardware experience or understanding thereof - they are far better off using the stndard 'libraries' and leaving the hardware I/F and real-time programming to the EE's ...

[fooman]

Good points. The counter could be the 'testability' of the software(test ALL code paths and states). What is MORE likely here is the the flight control system was performing correctly to compensate for the wing drag...

[PhiKapMom]

Don't give me your spin -- My family/friends are involved in aerospace/electronic/software and will match their credentials with you any day of the week!

In fact, one of them is standing right beside me as I write this.

Why do you feel a need to be come on these threads and try to defend the Government when it is absolutely not necessary? You don't have any idea where my family works or what they do but yet you know they don't know!

Whoever is paying you is not getting their money's worth. This is an accident investigation and I will repeat "NOTHING" is ruled out until the investigation is farther along. Glad you are smarter than the accident investigation team! (sarcasm)