On probabilities
There seem to be several statements about odds here and there in this thread. So let me ask (as an SLF) a question to someone who knows the inner working of a 777:
What are the odds that a sudden event is going to make every form of communication impossible (or not a priority), disable ACARS, and at some point, incapacitate pilots (and the rest of the crew, and the passengers), but STILL the autopilot is going to keep the whole plane on a fixed course across the Indian Ocean until running out of fuel?
Common sense suggests that at some point things are going to escalate even further and A/P is going to be switched off.