Originally Posted by Dozy
But they were (for the most part) pitched up, but descending.
Yes, and they don't understand how that is possible, so either the ADI or the altimeter/variometer must be wrong. The ADI shows an attitude that they associate with 'climb' ("I'm in TOGA, am I not?"). O.T.O.H, if the airplane is descending at a terrible rate, then the speed must be 'terrific'. The possibility that the airplane might be stalled never enters their mind.