A couple of things...
First, it's so good to see some of the real professionals and experts back posting after so many have been quiet since the halcyon days of pprune (the AF447 threads come to mind of course). You -- and long time ppruners -- know who you are.
Second, whatever the cause(s) of this accident, the aircraft did not "explode" or come apart at altitude. A transport category jet aircraft without tail surfaces does not / cannot impact the surface in a near flat or near horizontal attitude. It would impact (whatever surface) nose first and at a vey high rate of descent. Very few large intact pieces would remain.
Lastly, as others have said in rebuttal to negative comments (including some slurs) against the Indonesians, their SAR, their ATC, and their investigative agency: Those of us Bules (Bahasa for foreigners) who have worked with them and for them recently agree that painting them as inept and/or corrupt is simplistic and inaccurate. The level of professionalism and commitment to improvement over the past few years is clear and obvious to other governments, ICAO, international corporations and individual aviation experts.
Last edited by grizzled; 18th Jan 2015 at 21:23.