[Tzfat]

Just a hunch but the steady altitude loss described by all the sources of information for this accident, and the fact that they didn't appear to take action to avoid the terrain as they descended, and the fact that there was no distress call, strongly suggest incapacitation of the crew.

Yes, but not likely by hypoxia. All crew hypoxia accidents result in fuel starvation. This aircraft would have flown to the North Sea before crashing.

Hypoxia is extremely rare in commercial aircraft with two pilots. O2 masks are the first thing we do in any situation involving pressurization or smoke. We never would initiate a descent prior to putting on O2 masks.

[zipper]

Yes, but not likely by hypoxia. All crew hypoxia accidents result in fuel starvation. This aircraft would have flown to the North Sea before crashing.

Hypoxia is extremely rare in commercial aircraft with two pilots. O2 masks are the first thing we do in any situation involving pressurization or smoke. We never would initiate a descent prior to putting on O2 masks.

I said incapacitation, of which hypoxia is one possibility, or a contributing factor.

A rapid depressurization would put the crew to a test, of which they only have seconds to pass. There are no guarantees they will pass, especially if there are other factors in play (one is not in the cockpit, structural damage, insidious onset of symptoms, to name a few).

[zipper]

All crew hypoxia accidents result in fuel starvation. This aircraft would have flown to the North Sea before crashing.

Not if the autopilot disconnected due to a mechanical failure.