Any landing that results in losing a wing and skidding to a halt upside down caught on video allowing for replay begs a boatload of questions. These would include captain and FO credentials and currency. These videos clearly shows … for whatever reasons…this airliner did not flare…resulting in stresses that exceeded the structural limits of this airplane. Audio reveals the voice of a male responding to ATC/Tower. The one handling the radio is normally the one not flying the airplane. Since there is a female and male in the cockpit, that audio, by the process of elimination, would identify the female is flying the airplane. Nothing sexist or irrational to come to this conclusion.
There are plenty of online videos showing normal airliner crosswind approaches crabbing into wind landing in a crab pirouetting on the downwind MLG at touchdown…because of engine or wing clearance issues common to virtually all airliners. Why did this approach mimic more a GA light plane crosswind approach with the upwind wing low and top rudder to maintain directional control? The rate of descent was high enough that it negated any ground effect cushion normally experienced in low wing airplanes as well. The result was the upwind wing hit the ground either first, at the same time the right main gear contacted terra firma, or a split second later. Video shows the downward bending of the right wing from the right MLG ground contact, further reducing remaining ground clearance.
FDR and CVR data will conclusively reveal who was flying. What I saw made me question … whoever was flying… which indicates by the audio it was the female FO… why he or she chose this type of crosswind approach and touchdown technique?
Once again, currency, time in type, ratings/qualification and CRM questions naturally arise. Delta seems to be slow in responding.