"Whether the aircraft was struck is the main item of concern, and it appears no such event occurred."
All that refers to is the fact that the plane was probably not struck by lightning.
It still confirms the fact that strong updrafts were probable as well as turbulence and that alone was enough to cause the pilots to lose control of the airplane. Which they did.
I guess a stream of irrational posts like this inspired warped. No data, just personal opinion. We would be losing aircraft every day if your statement was true.