Originally Posted by
mtofell
A few minutes before starting the descent is a very popular time for pilots to take a pee break and leave the cockpit.... with a FA in his/her place.
China doesn't follow western protocols.
The flight had three pilots in the cockpit. When one took a lav break there'd still be two remaining.
The known information is consistent with a high-altitude upset. It's also consistent with an intentional act. It's also consistent with an unknown mechanical failure. It's likely also consistent with possibilities that we haven't thought of yet.
We aren't going to be able to start eliminating possibilities until we get the information from the flight recorders. I wouldn't be surprised if some information from them comes out within the next week.