Mick S, Your hypothesis fits with my opinion on this event. Choice of LS really becomes "wherever the aircraft ends up pointing" after a flare and lever dump depending on height/time. A minor adjustment to point the aircraft at the clearest looking area may be all one has time to do. Then the real challenge to judge the height to flare and check - at night and possibly without a rad alt or one which is getting scatter info off the ground and other buildings. Just doesn't bare thinking about. How many of us have ever tried EOL at night? Not me - only autos to full flare recoveries or we would have broken too many aircraft. So once placed in the total power loss situation - skill/luck/experience becomes merged and I think luck becomes the primary factor. Why the total loss of power - that is the AAIB first question to answer and what they have said so far just really states that they have no evidence - yet.
Kbc