From what we have been told, that they shut down the wrong engine, got to the edge of stalling five times then spun it in, it doesn’t look like there was much spare capacity left to navigate around obstacles and/or pick somewhere for a forced landing. At the speeds they were flying at, there will have been very little manoeuvre margin, so any determined attempt at turning would have ended in a rapid departure, like the one in the final few seconds. The crash site was likely selected by the aircraft rather than the pilots, although the CVR should provide some enlightenment.
The crew makeup is another classic: two captains and a F/O. Loads of potential CRM, authority gradient and simple unfamiliarity issues. In my (Western) airline, we don’t allow this kind of crew composition unless the capt. in the RHS is a trainer and checked/current for the RHS. It’s also only rostered for training duties.
A few questions to those who are qualified on the 72-600:
I understand it has auto feather in TO mode, as well as uptrim for power and rudder auto-trim for any asymmetry. Is the auto-trim always engaged? Also, would you consider use of the autopilot in a non-normal situation like this or is that non-SOP?