Dozy,
I'm sorry, but we seem to be having some semantic misunderstandings, mainly about 'maintaining' and 'maximum'. In my vocabulary maximum available alpha is alpha-max and according to the accident report that is 17.5 degrees. The AoA that provides a lift equal to the weight is a function of airspeed. In level flight without wind that AoA is equal to the pitch attitude, controlled through sidestick inputs. Yes, the pitch attitude increased during the level deceleration.
The certificated 1g stall speed is obtained at alpha-max, with the sidestick held fully back during 3 seconds, after decelerating at 1 kt/second. But that is in free flight, out of ground effect, i.e. above 100 ft RA.