21 May 2019, 18:27
They seem to have found a debris field. But few, if any large pieces have been reportedly found. Unfortunately, this sounds like a high-speed flight into terrain. If somehow the pilot got the F-35 equivalent of the Microsoft Windows Blue Screen of Death... then at night, over ocean, possibly in less than ideal weather, trying to troubleshoot a sick airplane with only one crew, and keep the shiny side up (esp. if electrical issues or instrument issues are making both tasks more difficult), is a recipe for vertigo and CFIT.
Such a scenario seems to fit what little had dribbed and drabbed out, but is still purely conjecture. And AFAIK, such an avionic computer hardware / software meltdown should never occur. But bad things seem to happen when Murphy shows up with never on his arm.
Take an F-16, stir in A-7, dollop of F-117, gob of F-22, dash of F/A-18, sprinkle with AV-8B, stir well + bake. Whaddya get? F-35.