This one also jumped out at me when the report following
this thread.
The poor guy was in a blind panic, brain racing, heart rate over 200bpm, squeezing the TX trigger constantly and muttering to himself, no doubt staring at the AH, too scared to blink. I'm not sure how he thought a controller could assist in getting his aircraft's attitude and speed sorted out, but he was desperate and obviously not thinking clearly. It was an unnecessary and significant distraction.
What were the controller's options though? Ignore the call? Say hello and apologise for not being able to help? The controller has to ask for a squawk, but wasn't in a position to offer any constructive help (except maybe avoid a CFIT if the pilot regained control). With the TX channel open, he couldn't have given any help even if he wanted in this case. This was another error by the pilot and not the fault of the controller. "Aviate, navigate, communicate" is another Big Boys' Rule...