Anecdotally the 139 year would regularly drop APs, especially on approach and it wasn’t uncommon for the PM to “guard” the AP buttons on the AFCS panel for a quick attempted reengagement.
Nothing wrong with seeing if it will come back on. But 5 attempted resets followed by turning off both generators at the same time in flight via the gang bar is bizarre.
The 139 can be a handful without the APs but not 3000ft to 300ft in 45s, perhaps more time should be spent on training manual control of the aircraft with and without AP. Seems like subsequent loss of AP1 after messing around with the electrics wasn’t expected followed by panicked over controlling.