http://dms.ntsb.gov/public%2F55000-5...7%2F550138.pdf
- the interior of the cockpit was largely intact
- the floor below the seats had moved up a few inches
- the seats were tilted slighly forward but apparently stayed attached throughout the crash (the CPT's seat and the F/O's seat back were found outside of the cockpit by NTSB consistent with extrication efforts by the firefighters)
- the firefighters saw the lifeless pilots inside the cockpit but could not enter until fires / explosions were brought under control
- by the time they did, the pilots were dead
- the pilots died by blunt force impacts to heads and torsos
- they were wearing full harnesses at the time of impact
So we have a cockpit and seats with almost fully preserved structural integrity (something that would not happen in a similar speed car crash) plus we have a much better restraint system than in a car. So did they hit the instrument panel (unlikely with a should harness) or did some panels come down on them (the report does not say)?