I agree this mostly seems like a plausible explanation. However, I have two main issues with it:
1. No distress signal of any kind? The fire would have to have started right at an area where communications are immediately lost. Let's remember an explosion is out of the question because the plane kept going and a fire could not have spread out that quickly and have the fuselage remain intact. The 777 is known for having triple redundancy on everything. Not in the communications equipment?
2. The altitude changes. The article gives an explanation for this which is sensible, the pilots were trying to starve the outside of the plane of oxygen. Why go back down, then? Autopilot? Even if the plane could fly itself, is the communications equipment the only part of the plane to completely go? I just don't buy it.
I still believe this was terrorism. Of course, I am not an expert. I just hope for the families that we will find out soon. 4951