It has been said before but I d like to add my voice to this opinion. English is a much more factual language then French.
The French language is in my humble opinion too ambivalent to be used in a factual environment like a cockpit in distress.
Là is such a word which could be used in the sense of indicating a position (there) or a given time (then), and there are more.
Perhaps there has been no misunderstanding between pilots on the deck about the intentions of whoever spoke in this specific case. I do not feel qualified to judge this, despite having been raised in part in French, but others should.
I realize some French natives may object to my humble opinion, French are notoriously protective of their language, as it is a fundamental part of their cultural heritage (just think of the French laws requiring French broadcasting stations to broadcast a certain % of music in French), but I do think the discussion should be had.
Time for a quick exit....