Finally some scepticism of the urban myth that is this thread. Let us hope it will extend into the work of those whose "report" is sacred.
"Two highly qualified pilots, experienced and familiar with the route, flying a first rate ship for a flag carrier...."
My bias has been clear, and I am unrepentant. There was a structural "event", the computer got confused, or the a/c was rendered in some way uncontrollable, and not by the pilot(s).
UAS is patent in this family of a/c. Difficult recoveries are as well. Perpignan, and Asseline's wreck. The a/c is notorious for making a smooth recovery from UAS difficult (EASA AD).
In my firm opinion, almost all of the proffered evidence skirts the issue.