Many Chinese Airlines practice a Visual Descent Profile (VDP). Meaning they choose to descend to the MDA, level off, then calculate the lastest point to begin descent (allows for the minimum distance to the runway) to not exceed 1000 fpm. This conflicts with most western airlines, who have chosen to use Constent Descent Profiles (never a level off at the MDA).
Unlikely in an E190. A continuous descent for an NDB or VOR/DME approach is easier than dirty dive and fly level type of arrival. The Nav. system, despite all of its poor design and implementation, does a pretty respectable job of these type of approaches and turns them into a "virtual ILS". A LOC/DME is the most difficult approach you'll ever fly. So, unless we have the FDR analysis and know for sure what was selected and engaged, what mode they were in, etc... we would just be making silly guesses.
PM