The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this ACC as follows:
the in-flight separation of the vertical stabilizer as a result of the loads beyond ultimate design that were created by the first officer's unnecessary and excessive rudder pedal inputs. Contributing to these rudder pedal inputs were characteristics of the Airbus A300-600 rudder system design and elements of the American Airlines Advanced Aircraft Maneuvering Program.
http://www.ntsb.gov/...11130X02321&key=1
Since this is a fly-by-wire a/c, it's pretty interesting how the pilot was able to apply "unnecessary and excessive rudder pedal inputs" while flying well below Va. If these Eurotrash a/c can't handle a little wake turbulence, I doubt very seriously they'd stay together at Vne.