(Bloomberg) — As the final hours of Malaysian Air Flight 370 remain wrapped in mystery, the question of who bears full liability for the jet's disappearance is also unresolved.

This much is clear: Families of the 227 passengers aboard the flight that vanished on March 8 can recover some compensation from Malaysian Airline System Bhd even if the plane isn't found. The airline is liable under international treaty for as much as $175,000 per passenger, and possibly more.

For survivors to capture significantly greater damages, wreckage would probably have to be located and a narrative of the plane's demise assembled. Several scenarios have been offered for the flight's disappearance, including hijacking, intentional downing or an on-board fire. Evidence of any of these could open avenues for family members to sue.

“The disappearance of Flight 370 remains a mystery. The legal claims against Malaysia Airlines — those are not a mystery,” said Robert Hedrick, a pilot and air-disaster lawyer in Seattle. “If the wreckage is located, the evidence may establish liability of other parties.”

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