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I'm thinking mechanical flaw as well. it's darn cold up there, so when you loose the flame that thing cools down rapidly from internal operating temps to -60 in seconds. different metals shrink at different rates, bearings and bushings can seize Any engineering flaws will show up in a hurry.

Or, maybe these guys just didn't know how to restart those engines. You can bet every single piece of those engines will be looked at under a microscope until they find the cause.

First thing to come to mind with multiple engine failure is fuel starvation, then FOD.

The engines failed at different altitudes, and probably dynamic pressure/EAS and Mach. At 41K, and no birds of volcanoes around, FOD seems unlikely. So, what happened to the Jet-A? A bad batch that jelled? Contamination, Ice??? Who knows.

I'm thinking mechanical flaw as well. it's darn cold up there, so when you loose the flame that thing cools down rapidly from internal operating temps to -60 in seconds. different metals shrink at different rates, bearings and bushings can seize Any engineering flaws will show up in a hurry.

Good thoughts. Engine flame out at high altitudes do not normally preclude restart. Normally, the only consideration is that they won't start until you get somewhere below 29,000 on most aircraft (air density for windmilling starts). Some aircraft permit APU assisted, but most of those still have limits that the APU cannot produce the needed PSI at altitude. Bottom line, when they got below 29,000, in most aircraft they should have been able to start.

Another problem can be fuel cavitation - and that can cause a type of vapor lock - in which case descending won't necessarily help. Regardless, they had LOTS of time in the descent from FL410. Likely 15 to 20 minutes at the least.