the PNF put the condition levers to max
>"...When the PF ordered gear down and flaps 15 the PNF also put the condition levers to max - this means the prop blades are flat and turning at max rpm. This acts like a giant brake creating a lot of drag as opposed to the reduced rpm setting prior to gear down. ..."
Okay. It seems that whereas there were several factors at work throughout the flight such as exhaustion, concern about icing, failure to adhere to sterile cockpit rules, the one critical point seems to have been this "also put the condition levers to max".
When the PF calls for Gear Down and Flaps 15, is it a standard response to do ANYthing with the condition lever? If so, what would you expect the PNF to have done with the condition levers at that time. Apparently, "levers to max" is a woefully inappropriate choice at that time. Once made and trouble develops, should there have been a thought of "oops, whatever I just did may have caused this I should think about hitting that "undo" button"?