We have no idea yet if this was test related or something as simple as CFIT in poor weather.
That said, the question of qualified test pilots reminds me of an A320 which was flown into the ground by an unqualified test pilot ignoring a warning in the official test schedule that the alpha sensor test MUST be conducted at least 10,000 feet AGL. ISTR that it was being tested prior to return from charter to ANZ.
Each aircraft has an official test schedule written by the manufacturer and woe betide anyone who does not follow it accurately in the correct sequence down to the last dot and comma. Here be dragons.