The final contributing factor was the aircraft flying very close to its maximum landing weight. The airplane landed at 196,000 lb and has a maximum landing weight of 198,000 lb, which is considered to have contributed to the damaged caused to the airframe.
Never heard of "landing weight" before. Is that basically just take-off weight minus the burned fuel it took to reach the destination? Can they potentially burn off more fuel prior to landing to reduce this risk?