Originally Posted by
212man
To be pedantic, this aircraft had the SPZ-7000, but the point is valid. However, I'd put money on it was being flown in SAS mode with the trim off, so G/A wouldn't have helped. Just relooked at the NTSB report and I'm surprised there is not more mention of what state the AFCS selector panel was in - should have been possible from bulb filament analysis.
It's possible he was in SAS mode .. although never really should be out of ATT mode in this type of operation..
He had the entire SPZ 7000 suite to help him out.. but, as you mentioned,, it was being flown like a jet-box