It’s a theory, here on the Speculation thread. It might not be highly likely, but we are not Vegas odds makers taking bets. A theory only needs two things.

First, it must be possible and follow basic things like the laws of science. This rules out any theory that uses aliens, ghosts, divine intervention, time travel, worm holes, Bill Shatner’s little buddy on the wing, or similar things to explain what happened.

Second, it must fit, however improbable, within all the facts known to the public, and not contradicted by a single known fact. The ideas in my post fit both criteria.

As for ditching, before Sully how many here would bet money someone could land a jet on the Hudson in winter and have all the passengers survive with barely a scratch? The Ethiopean plane hit the water banked, with one engine contacting first, causing a cartwheel which was not good for it’s landing. Sully hit the Hudson wings level with both engines hitting the water at the same moment. The plane landed straight, with no cartwheel, intact, and floated.

Sure the Roaring Forties are rougher than the Hudson, but it is possible a plane could ditch in one piece once in a while. This by luck could have been the one time. It may not be probable but it is possible.