A key point that seems to have been missed in this discussion:
The outcome of the pilot's actions or inactions were successful. No lives were lost and injuries were minimal.
Any other combination of actions may have led to a more catastrophic crash. It is not possible to know.
Further more it is reasonable to say they were in all likelihood at least an averagely competent crew. Therefore their actions may well represent the most likely response from an average pilot given the same circumstances. ie most of us would react the same way, in spite of what we may like to think.