On 2010-05-03 16:03:40 -0400, "HeyBub" said:

Perhaps the BOP was not "self aware" and depended upon instructions
from the surface?

If so, maybe the instructions never got to the BOP.

One report I heard today is that the function of the BOP -- which
staunchs the flow by crushing the pipe -- was blocked by drill pieces
inside the pipe.