[Hillarys Gate Cult]

The "smoke" could have been one of the following or both. When the tail broke, atomized high pressure hot hydraulic fluid spewing out of open lines. Also the plane was supposedly dumping fuel at the time. Either event looks like smoke and sometimes can only be verified by another plane up close.

[concerned about politics]

Also the plane was supposedly dumping fuel at the time.

during the "Pataki theory" thread, it was discovered that Airbus 300-600 was incapable of a fuel dump. The fuel "somehow" managed to get into the water some other way.

[chemainus]

This plane can't dump fuel.

[FreePaul]

Also the plane was supposedly dumping fuel at the time.

The fuel dumping theory was discredited early on. This type of aircraft can't dump fuel in flight.

[BearCub]

Also the plane was supposedly dumping fuel at the time

Huh??? An airplane dumping fuel one minute after takeoff on an international trip - yeah right.