Except, in this case, they didn't have unrestricted control. The flight control system kept changing the pitch trim. While this was result of an inexplicable nose-up command on the side stick, the pilots apparently didn't notice it. As I've said several times before, when the system gives up, it needs to turn off autotrim along with the autopilot.
The accident (as we know it) would not have occurred if autotrim had frozen when it left Normal law.
Maybe Alt 2 law has some issues. Hopefully BEA will get to the actual bottom of the crew's control problems.
Gotta go with what Ed said.
