One thing I am wondering about is in my outfit below MSA you are supposed to cover the flight controls. They were below MSA when this chain of events began. If PF was covering the controls surely he would have noticed a prolonged and unusual thrust reduction from the position of the thrust levers?? This might have then prompted a look at the FMA's? Not right, disconnect.
Also airmanship would dictate that anytime you were expecting the thrust levers to move (back or forward) cover them?
Still can't understand how 3 sets of eyes were distracted to this extent. Be interested to see the human factors involved in this. edit: (sorry post above just said this but it shows we are all wondering!!)