Jet Jockey A4
My understanding from reading the report is that the AP was off for 4min 23secs which was until impact. Not too sure where you get your figures from.
Although I have no manuals infront of me, I thought you could operate in RVSM airspace as long as you have 2 primary altimeters, 1 altitude alerting system, 1 altitude reporting transponder and 1 automatic altitude control system. I don't take that to mean you have to have AP working. As long as FD's are on. I could confirm this later with a check of the MEL.