Originally Posted by
jugofpropwash
How about the jump seat passenger simply standing up, perhaps to lean over the pilot's shoulder to get a better look at something? Or coming back from the loo? Or even seated in the jump seat, but perhaps leaning forward with belts off. And they hit turbulence, and he's pitched forward into the controls. Maybe sticks a hand out instinctively, trying to catch himself. Between the startle factor, passenger in the way, trying to regain his feet....
Not likely, they were below 10,000’, everybody seated, strapped in and shoulder harness on.
seat swap even more unlikely, Captain could lose his job and his license for doing that.
The NTSB probably know what went wrong, but keeping quiet..