A double engine failure is extremely unlikely without some external cause such as the dreaded flock of geese. The geometry of the rear mounted engines close to the fuselage makes this less likely than with conventional underwing engines but it could have happened.
A lack of fuel to the engines seems to be a more credible theory, the normal nose-high attitude during approach would cause fuel to move to the rear of the tanks exposing the pickup points if the levels were already marginal.
If we assume (probably wrongly) that there was indeed a fuel shortage the question simplifies - did they depart with the correct fuel load and if so this implies a loss due to excessive consumption or leakage.
Could the explanation be as simple as skimping on reserves to stay within MTOW under the prevailing hot & high conditions with a full load ? Hopefully no operator would allow this.
Last edited by The Ancient Geek; 7th Jun 2012 at 01:29.