gravity32,
Sorry for barging in, but if I understand correctly, the issue is with the FDR record.
Doesn't that show the displayed baro alt ? (Most relevant in a crash analysis.)
And does the FDR show the reference datum set on the altimeter ?
Are you saying the FDR also shows the "raw" static pressure (in mbar or psi or whatever) as 'measured' by the ADC ?
I can think of several reasons for discrepancies between "baro alt" and "rad alt" records on an FDR, depending on where exactly the FDR gets its data. Your "outside the calibration envelope" is only one of them.
In the case of a "CFIT" such as this, I would first look at the RA data, and only then see to what extent they could be correlated with the baro alt data.
RA is pretty accurate, especially low down, which is exactly why it's there in the first place.
Have you got a link to the 'moonbats' site (PM me if you prefer)? First I hear of this particular controversy, so I'm curious to read the original "arguments".
CJ