While I disagree with 'bird about using "direct law", I find a flaw in your logic, Doze.
and while the approach was improvised and the Captain's physical SA seems to have been compromised by that, he seemed to be pretty sure that A.Floor was out of the equation.
You point out two factors that are essential to understanding the final outcome.
- "improvised" ???? Huh? Flying a multi-zillion $$$ jet without having done a dozen practice profiles? BEAM ME UP!!!!
- thinking that the magic FBW system with all the "protections" and limits and such would "save" him and all the folks on-board? Give me a break.
- Not using manual throttle throughout the flyby? Sheesh. All the automation and such can only compensate for so much.
- blaming pictures of the field? Good grief!!! Just two or three practice missions would have made a huge difference.
I enjoyed flying my first fully-FBW jet, and we always had one place to hang our hat upon - max AoA was always there if we pulled full back on the sidestick. No auto-throttle, but that was up to us. The jet gave you everything it could.