"How can one justify continuous operation without even a clue as to what happened?"
On the contrary, how could it possibly be justifiable to ground an aircraft type with a well-proven safety record "without even a clue" about the cause of the accident? That would be a complete over-reaction.
Airliners sometimes crash without a 'Mayday' call. That doesn't mean the type is grounded until "one is absolutely positive that it is a one-off event (like being hit by a meteorite or a missile).
The Flight Recorder has already been recovered to the AAIB for analysis. If there was any reason to do so, the AAIB will would recommend that the CAA grounds the type pending further investigation. It would be up to the aviation authorities of other countries to decide whether to follow.
It is a sad fact that aeroplanes and helicopters crash from time to time. Grounding all other aircraft of that type pending an investigation would be silly.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 24th Jul 2002 at 08:25.