Originally Posted by
aterpster
A simple disconnect of the two electric trim switches would have saved the day. Those switches have been around since the first 737 rolled out of barn circa 1965. Common to 707 and 727.
Obvious with 20/20 hindsight*. As is the obvious point that the co-pilot ceasing to pull back on the sidestick in AF477 would have helped. There is usually a reason why people do not do what is obvious with 20/20 hindsight, and simply using a large can of pilot-error coloured paint is not a good explanation. The evidence of the FDR appears consistent with the pilots not having a clear and accurate mental model to explain the behaviour of the aircraft, and therefore acting to the best of their ability according to their flawed model didn't solve the experienced problem. Lack of knowledge about the MCAS trim process may have contributed to their confusion. This could be down to poor training, lack of information from the manufacturer, or it not being the first thing on their minds in a high workload environment when they are doing the best (in their belief) to aviate. There's no pause button in real life to allow you to stop and have a leisurely think about what is happening.
*Actually we do not know what mechanical or software failure caused the symptoms the pilots were attempting to ameliorate, and it is supposition that disconnecting the electric trim switches would have resolved the problem. If the systems were working as we expect, your statement is probably true, but what we know is that the aircraft was not behaving as the pilots expected, with some guesswork about the root cause.