A problem with active automation in a case like this is that in aviation in general, we don’t want to hit the ground and/or fly too slowly but unfortunately that is exactly what we want when we land, otherwise we’d never be able to do it.
Where did the accident occur? Over a runway. There’s a fair amount of logic in modern aircraft to allow an approach and landing without setting off a load of safety systems but it is possible for the pilots and the computers to get out-of-phase, if you change your mind enough on the way in. We’re landing... No, we’re going around... No, we’re landing... No, we really need to go-around, etc. You end up in a sort of no man’s land where half the systems think you’re landing and half think you're taking off, which usually doesn’t end well.
If you really want to go flying again, push the thrust levers forward and pull back on the yoke/stick when you’ve got enough airspeed. No intervention systems required. You can sort out the automation when safely climbing away...