Well I've just read the conclusions of the report linked to Vonbag and its difficult to justify 10 years from that.
yes the crew did not follow correct procedures (and in particular feathering which would have reduced the rate of drop). But the report admits that although the aircraft theoretically could have made palermo, with only standby instruments and whilst trying to re-start etc it would have been very difficult to do so in practice. The report also concludes that is not clear which direction the plane landed with respect to swell and that the pilot could not determine swell direction and changed course towards some boats to aid rescue efforts (which seems sensible).
Good luck to any appeals