So what about the possibility that the PF simply did not process/comprehend that when the A/P went into Alternate Law, that Alpha Protect was no longer active -- and that he would need to use the side stick more like a Boeing yoke than an Airbus joystick? Thus, it wasn't that he was dumb, just that he had a brain freeze in not fully comprehending that his protections were gone (despite this warning being given on the ECAM)....from SRMman
Yep. Absolutely. The first we
know the crew recognized Alternate Law is at 2:10:22,
seventeen seconds after loss of autopilot! full stop.
Nothing is provided us to counter this conclusion in evidence. A lot of harrumphing, posturing, etc., but no evidence. It is the salient take away from the initial (post startle) CVR data. We cannot be sure the displays were operating, nor can we conclude either pilot sussed the fact until the PNF callout.
By this time, the upset was under way. Clandestino remarks about the benign nature of the upset in his recent rather lengthy post...
The upset began the moment autopilot dropped out, arguably, and for many reasons, not all damning, many exculpatory.....
There is no going back in some chains, many cannot be unwound once begun.
Whether you believe it or don't, the case can be made that PF's stick work was based on him assuming Normal Law. It makes more sense than an endless onslaught of "No pilot in his right mind ....." ad absurdum....
To be clear, know that a loss of autopilot can occur without degrade.....frequently. Loss of autopilot is not some trained in "oh, naturally, we degrade then..."