Dear Sirs
Like Ancient Greek wrote in post n° 81 I’m afraid that this thread is rapidly drifting from its opening theme.
I do not think it's so relevant that the flight crew in question possessed or not good hand flying skills.
As in the following cases:
Scandinavian Airlines Flight 933 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
China Airlines Flight 006 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(And who knows how many more!?)
there was, from the captain of the flight, an abdication of its fundamental mission, which is the safe conduct of flight.
We all know that the most important phase of a failure is the moment of its perception.
The crew is caught by the queen of battles: THE SURPRISE.
Ulysses wanted his crew members to put wax ear plugs in ordere not to be enthralled by the Sirens song.
I have always taught during my training that the first thing that a commander should do in case of failure, is ... NOTHING!.
He has to make sure that someone will aviate the plane: "I have control" (or if necessary as in this case "You have control", using possibly all the automatics).
And, if it is not urgent to reunite with the shadow;
Join a holding;
Identify the problem;
Assess the situation;
Intervene;
And at last: go to land.