Control law sub-mode
I had seen the reports about the A340 incident, but didn't see the control law logic back then. I subsequently saw that "sub-law" in some of the great data we have had on this forum.
I initially considered the alpha prot limit as a contributing cause, especially the "automatic" pull to that limit despite the basic gee command. then we got the pilot stick inputs, so I disregarded it.
One mo'time! Confusing reversion scheme and flying so close to the "limits" programmed that we get "overspeed", "alpha prot" and "stall warnings" when the jet deviates only slightly from a "stable" flight condition.
Big surprise about the recommendations was lack of a recommendation to look at the flight control reversion sequence and logic and implementation. Although the pilot attempted to re-engage the A/P twice ( wow! what?), he took control and recovered.