Did it sink, float or even explode? Navy experts are offering their thoughts on what might be the fate of the submarine, which has been missing at sea since Sunday.
What exactly happened to the submarine?
Experts have offered their hypotheses as research continues.
explosion
Experts agree: This is the worst-case scenario. None of the victims would have survived what many are describing as a "catastrophic" event.
According to Stefan B. Williams, a professor of marine robotics at the University of Sydney in Australia, an explosion was likely caused by the failure of its pressure housing.
Fire
Despite being underwater, experts say it's possible a fire could have broken out inside the ship - and it could have been catastrophic in many ways.
Eric Fusil, an associate professor and director of the shipbuilding center at the University of Adelaide, told The Associated Press that a fire could "create toxic fumes that could render the crew unconscious".
A flare can also "compromise the vehicle's electronic systems" used for navigation and control, Williams said in his blog post. "Fires are a catastrophic event in confined underwater environments," he added.
Lost at sea, on the surface
It is also possible that Titan is floating somewhere on the surface of the Atlantic Ocean and has yet to be seen.
Megjithëse ky është një nga skenarët më të mirë, pasagjerët janë ende në rrezik për t'u mbaruar pa oksigjen. Anija është e mbyllur nga jashtë dhe pasagjerët nuk kanë mundësi të hapin derën nga brenda.
Nuk mund të dalësh nëse dikush nuk e zhbllokon atë.
Humbur në det, nën ujë
Titani gjithashtu mund të humbasë në fund të oqeanit, për të cilin ekspertët besojnë se është një skenar shumë më shqetësues.
Një ndërprerje e energjisë elektrike është një shembull i "një dështimi serioz mekanik ose teknik" që mund të ketë ndodhur brenda zhytësit. Pasagjerët gjithashtu mund të kenë "humbur" për shkak të niveleve të ulëta të oksigjenit.
Brënda Titanikut
Nëndetësja gjithashtu mund të jetë ngecur diku në rrënojat e Titanikut - gjë që i ka ndodhur më parë një anijeje tjetër.
ABC News reporter Michael Guillen was aboard a Russian submarine in September 2000 when the ship became trapped inside the wreckage after a current pushed it into the Titanic's propeller blades. Guillen recalled fearing for his life after he and the others lay still for nearly an hour as the pilot tried to maneuver the ship out of its precarious position.
