Originally Posted by Chris Scott
The back-stick reached about 17 deg (presumably maximum), but not for a measurable period prior to impact. That's the reason for my observation in (2), above. Why he did not pull harder from t -26 to t -3 is inexplicable, if only because it was delaying the desired attainment of alpha-max. The modest back-stick up to t -4 would, as you know, never achieve alpha-max.
The pilot version is that he was following the altimeter set on the QFE of Habsheim and was indicating 100 ft all along. He also said he has never heard the RA announcements. That can be the reason he did not pull harder earlier during the initial phase of the low pass.
Also, I was having a look at the
AF447 data, and the max deflection in pitch for the sidestick was at 16 deg.