terrorists showing how easy it was to take down a plane, that would destroy the airline industry
naval maneuvers and a rogue missile unintentionally took out the plane
The interesting thing I recall is that Boeing pushed back at the idea it was an explosion of the fuel tank. That makes them liable and I don't think that was ever proven in court.
Some other theories that were floated back then:
terrorists showing how easy it was to take down a plane, that would destroy the airline industry
naval maneuvers and a rogue missile unintentionally took out the plane
The interesting thing I recall is that Boeing pushed back at the idea it was an explosion of the fuel tank. That makes them liable and I don't think that was ever proven in court.