I was speculating more on the effects of high altitude decompression, not the cause. Sounds like the decompression or loss of oxygen could have been caused by some faulty mechanical device, not external damage. Maybe there was no loss of pressure, but only oxygen deprivation?? There were reports of failure of the a/c systems shortly after take-off.
Brain damage starts very quickly. Any reports of the cruising altitude prior to the crash? Low enough to start reviving unconscious victims??
Co-pilot said alive before Greece crash
8/16/2005, 7:40 a.m. PT
By PATRICK QUINN
The Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The co-pilot and a flight attendant were among dozens of people still alive when a Cypriot airliner plunged into the mountains north of Athens, the coroner said Tuesday, deepening the mystery over what incapacitated the flight carrying 121 people.
Fillipos Koutsaftis told The Associated Press that co-pilot Pambos Haralambous was alive when the Helios Airways jet crashed Sunday near Grammatiko, 25 miles north of Athens, killing everyone on board.
The pilots of two Greek F-16 fighter jets that intercepted the plane after it lost contact with Greek air traffic controllers reported seeing Haralambous slumped over the controls in the cockpit, apparently unconscious, shortly before the crash.
Helios Airways Flight ZU522 [may have] decompressed at 34,000 feet