300 feet or 9000 feet....if you have a cast iron failure....you have pretty well had the schnitzel!
I think not. This accident has just proved that once oil pressure is lost the gearbox will not stay together long enough to descend from 9000. Altitude is money in the bank unless you have problems with the big fan or its associated gear box/attachment. Judging by the pics of the wreckage the blades where not turning very fast at impact.