JD-EE
Poser for you. The BEA description of the a/c's aspect at impact also describes a common aeronautical manouver. Do you know which one?? In deference to those who have not ruled out controlled flight, It is an attitude that allows an a/c to dump altitude rapidly and very safely. Perhaps if the pilots had reached desperation, and the weather could not be escaped either up and over, or around, they chose to descend below the monster ?? Without an altitude or airspeed to rely on, they may have gambled that they were higher than they were, and were still in aerodynamic flight, and ran out of airspace in the darkness and madness of the moment ??
This is consistent (strictly so) with BEA's theory. Left wing low, Nose right, rapid altitude loss.
Give it a go ??