I'm also curious to what extent the fact that an Airbus 300 jet is completely fly-by-wire may have played a role. As far as I know, Boeign jets are still designed with actual physical control equipment that lead from the cockpit to the control surfaces.

Of course, these are still hydraulics aided, but it's possible for a pilot, with enough leverage and strength, to control the flaps even if the hydraulics and computer systems are down.

A fly-by-wire aircraft can't do this if there's computer damage. The pilot's harness is connected only to the computer.

Now, I know the above argument was made when the F-16 was introduced, but what may be true for a 1-2 person fighter jet may not be for a large widebody commercial jet. You may need to be Superman to actually control the aircraft without hydraulics aid.

Any thoughts?