Reply #3: I don't know if the information is correct, but there is an important thing

[LARED]

you have overlooked.

Assuming the statement "Based on analysis of radar data, the National Transportation and Safety Board reported the groundspeed just before impact as 510 knots. This is well beyond the maximum operating velocity of 360 knots, and maximum dive velocity of 410 knots." is correct, and the maximum operating velocity really is 360 knots, you should know there is a reason designers use words like operating when stating specifications.

I have worked as an engineer. And it is normal to provide a design value and an operating value. For instance, when specifying piping systems an engineer provides a design pressure and temperature, and an operating pressure and temperature. The operating values are nearly always lower than the design values, and design values always have safety factors built into them to ensure integrity and reliability if the system is operated near the design values in unusual or transient conditions.

So the fact that the operating velocity was exceeded is once again a completely unremarkable fact.