Indeed it does have a backup battery for the FBW, but it does have a nasty habit of tripping to direct mode when surfaces are exerted to extreme forces.
and yes it does have two modes of operation: normal (FBW) and direct (conventional). Rather than get into an in depth discussion about the control system of the Ejet, I'll say again..mine is just a theory. I think we all really want to hear the preliminary report at the very least. If it's a technical problem, then perhaps it can be stopped from ocurring again.