Tandemrotor. You claim that there is an almost complete absence of facts. I must say that that is one of the most extraordinary contributions in this over-long exchange.
The facts as to (approximate) height over the sea, airspeed, misplotted waypoint, height of waypoint, height at which aircraft struck the hillside, weather conditions are all very well established.
The only piece of missing evidence is the reasoning that presumably went on in the cockpit as to the choice between safely turning away from the cloud-covered high ground, and trying to fly over it. The one thing we next know is the tragic result of pressing on, which turned out to be mistaken because THE CREW WERE NOT WHERE THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE. John Purdey
Tigs2. On 16th Jan you said that '...for such a finding (ie of gross negligence) the crew must be alive to tell their side of the story'. If that is so, it completely destoys the MOD position. Please give chapter and verse of your source. JP.