n5296s - you need speed to retain directional control without the TR and, if you haven't got any speed, you need a lot of height to dive on that speed - he had neither!
If you have ever seen the video of the Wessex going into a Welsh lake many years ago - a colleague of mine was flying it and he had the failure at 60 kts and 1000' - he still ended up in a horrendous spiral descent.
jumpseater - I'd be very surprised if it was disorientation but less surprised if it was a medical issue.