Chugalug2 - I am indeed familiar with the XD864 website, the BOI and every piece of information I could find about the incident.
Whilst I remember punching the air in a most unladylike manner when the Chinook result came through I had not appreciated the similarities between the two BOIs. Frankly one BOI report was enough sad reading for me.
I wholeheartedly agree with your final 3 sentences and having stood at the crash site on more than one occasion it seems obvious that the captain was trying to get down on Spanhoe. I know what I believe.
Good luck with your campaign.