Earlier post on this thread with reference to a French source described the main wreckage contained within a 500m crater. If the empennage or horizontal stabiliser are subsequently discovered at a separate location, chances are it was a severe weather encounter. What else could have caused caused such a steep descent. Are there any reports of comms enroute r/t tx with any station. Given the weather conditions I would expect there must have been some for level and heading changes for avoidance. It has also been speculated that the flight may have been turning back from its destination. If this was the case there would have been some ground comms.