[nutcracker46]

Who wants to wager that the pilots did an aviation version of the five stages of grief, with some help from passenger / flight attendant reports?

FO: Tower said we hit something, may have damage. Capt: Just close, we'll be okay. FA: We heard a thump, and so did the passengers. CA: Just a noise, we'll be okay. Dispatch on ACARS: You hit the localizer and wall past the far end, you morons. Descend, lower your cabin diff pressure, and GTF to Mumbai. CA: How do we explain this? FO: Ask the passengers for newspapes, we must find new jobs..

[FabHK]

Not inconceivable that they decided to keep flying to overwrite the CVR (assuming it was the old 120 minute type).

Given the apparent structural damage, that was a risky decision.