Originally Posted by
340drvr
Still haven't seen any reports that verify "nobody in the cockpit." (They probably can't verify until maybe wreckage recovery.) There's a big difference between that and "can't see anyone up front" (frosted windows, etc.).
The cockpit in this aircraft is very small. It is impossible for a person, sitting in the captain seat to fall over, so that he can not be seen from outside. Thus, he must have left the cockpit. Fighter pilots flew very close to the jet and had plenty of time to choose position and check the windows.