"Source: Flight 370's altitude dropped after sharp turn" CNN

[HooptieWagon]

16. I dont know the exact timeline (does anyone, really?)

But see above priorities post. First priority is to keep the plane flying, or at least in an attitude for a controlled crash landing. If combatting an electrical fire, this likely includes shutting down all electrical circuits not needed to fly. Second priority is to navigate...know where they are and course and distance to destination. Third, and only third, is to communicate...including distress signals. Indications are the plane had an in-flight emergency, fire or depressurization. Pilots evidently kept plane aloft, on a new course to emergengy airfield, but were then incapacitated and the plane continued on autopilot until running out of fuel or not able to fly due to damage. So far, there is zero conclusive evidence otherwise.