........a possible pilot error does not automatically mean that the pilots are to blame.......
Absolutely, tho' they usually are blamed as the easiest target, and sometimes unable to fight back.
IF there is pilot error - and I'm not referring specifically to this accident - let's not forget that it is usually the last error in the chain, and when the pilot is no longer around there is often no way to determine what blameworthy previous errors or omissions made by others led the pilot to make that last fateful decision based on erroneous information being presented, either mechanically, visually, electronically - or however.