I would vote for the engine being a post impact event.....but that is purely an assumption.
I do wonder what the Rod End failure would have done to the controllability of the aircraft....and what that might prompt in the way of a Crew Reaction?
Perhaps we can start with a simple query....and focus upon the results of the Rod End issue rather than the "why".....and see where that leads us.
Or....let's start with the simple assumption the Engine did its thing and a crew reaction resulted in the control rod failure.
Not faulting the Crew or in any way suggesting they caused the tragedy....but as we all know our Emergency Procedure Training is for the expected and common place....and not the absolutely weird things that can happen.