"I still think people are losing sight of the fact that when transiting the ITCZ, sometimes there is NO ideal way through. You've gotta punch your way somehow and that route depends on what looks better on the radar and outside."
How about the option of turning back and returning to base ?
IMO, that is the root cause of this accident, "press-on-itis", along with possible complacency / over confidence re: extremely severe weather.
Just a coincidence that another AF flight tried to land during a T.S. at CYYZ ?
ASN Aircraft accident Airbus A340-313X F-GLZQ Toronto-Pearson International Airport, ON (YYZ)