Once the catastrophic failure occured I am not sure that the crew had any chance to control the aircraft.
As I understand it, the thread on the screwjack which is used to move the horizontal stabiliser was OK but the thread on the horizontal stabiliser gimbal nut assembly itself was excessively worn (stripped) allowing uncontrolled travel. Aerodynamic forces then caused the 'stops' on the system to be sheared allowing full and uncontrolled travel of the horizontal stab outside the normal limits. My money would then be on the aircraft itself ending up inverted rather than due to pilot input.
Regardless of what actually happened it was a great tragedy. RIP and sympathy to all involved.
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PPRuNe Radar
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