This photoshopped image, by a commenter on this pilot’s forum, shows where the jet’s recovered vertical stabilizer apparently tore off–though whether in mid-air or on impact with the ocean is unknown. Meanwhile, previous notions of a superbolt of lightning frying the plane’s electronics apparently have been quashed by this updated meteorological analysis:
"* Lightning — Though in earlier versions of this study I had identified lightning as occurring in this mesoscale convective system, recent evidence from spaceborne and sferic sensors is pointing to the possibility that this system contained no lightning. Soundings do indicate moderate levels of instability, but there are indications in the literature that cumulonimbus clouds in oceanic equatorial regions entrain considerable quantities of drier, cooler air that dampen upward vertical motion in the lower portions of the storm, and in some way this reduces charge separation. In any case it does look fairly likely that we can rule out a lightning strike as being a factor in the A330 crash."
Indicating that turbulence within the storm apparently was the cause of the breakup at altitude unless there was some other factor which only analysis of the debris and/or the voice and data recordings could show.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
The tail fin snapping off is something that has already happened several times to different Airbus models. Like the one that crashed in Queens in 2001. Only in one case have the pilots succeeded to save the plane:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2005/mar/13/theairlineindustry.internationalnews
There are two possible explanations, as I gather: a problem connecting the composite materials of which the tail fin is made to the body or overuse of rudders, that seems to be the reason at least in 2001 disaster.
Since the tail fin in the 447 broke off above the connection line, it could have been the second case. Unless it was one of a thousand other possibilities.
That A310 losing its VS at the link is amazing. I never heard of it before. I doubt it got much news play in the U.S. Thanks.
Must of been perfect weather for them to be able to get down in one piece.
More I read about Airbus, despite the Hudson River landing, the less I like. The old saying may be good advice: “If it ain’t a Boeing, I ain’t going.”
I did a little research on this and found that the A310 lost its rudder, not the whole vertical stabilizer like the Queens Airbus did.
http://www.airdisaster.com/photos/c-gpat/photo.shtml
Significant, of course, but not as hard to fly as complete loss of VS would be.