The Chief Prosecutor in Madrid issued a statement indicating that the results of the investigation into the cause of the crash of Spanair flight JK5022, in which 153 people lost their lives, could be available within a month.
However, a few hours later, his immediate superior qualified the statement and said that it may take a lot longer, perhaps up to six months.
The black box flight recorders (which are yellow) from the plane, an MD-82, have been recovered but analysis of these will not be an easy task.
Experts from a commission of inquiry apponted by the Ministry of Works already has in its possession a report by the control tower staff at Barajas airport and this apparently reveals that neither the pilot nor co-pilot reported any problems either before or during take-off.
The commission of inquiry, along with technicians from various countries, has also been scanning the runway and the crash site for clues as to the possible cause of the disaster. Meteorological experts have so far ruled out any weather related factors, such as gusts of wind destablising the aircraft at a crucial moment.
Initial perceptions about the cause of the crash have centred on the left engine of the plane, but video footage from AENA, the airport authority, appears to cast doubts on this theory as it shows no outbreak of fire in the engine.
The families of the victims are keen to know the reasons for the terrible tragedy, but it may be quite some time before the whole story is known.