Originally Posted by
Sailvi767
They had a much easier choice, comply with the QRH for runaway trim . . .
Except that MCAS activation doesn't present as runaway trim (not continuous and can be briefly interrupted by operation of column trim switches), so it wasn't recognized by at least two crews. Then there's the problem of trimming manually, perhaps from full nose-down, at high speed and low altitude, while trying to fly the airplane -- with any number of other distractions bombarding the senses and causing distraction and confusion.
This has been discussed exhaustively and compellingly in these threads, but some still insist that the problem is pilot error. I suppose it's OK for individual pilots to think that way, but, when engineers, manufacturers, regulatory authorities, etc. do, the result is all too likely to be catastrophic loss.