Unfortunately, none of us was in that cockpit nor on the ground to witness the event. What we know today is only what we have read or heard from the media.
I have investigated literally hundreds of aviation mishaps. I only know three facts right now with any certainty:
1. The airplane took off and proceeded on it's normal planned route of flight.
2. The airplane crashed into the mountains.
3. The media lies, embellishes, and generally gets it wrong even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. They are never to be trusted to present unbiased information or analysis in a technical investigation.
So basically none of us know anything - yet. But it is instructive (and illustrative) to engage in some small amount of speculation. But we need to remember it is only that - speculation.
You are mostly right. But when you put yourself into some position, and you got six precious minutes of life going on and descending 3,000 feet a minute...typically...a guy would do “something”. Six minutes is an awful long time in this type of situation. If the radar positions are correct...auto-pilot was on for the whole six minute period because of the steady decline (never faster, never slower). What pilot leaves the auto-pilot on and accepts a descent as acceptable without warning the control tower of his plan? Either he is unconscious or he’s out of the picture. Once they took off....it was on auto-pilot, and I’m willing to bet you that when they finally hook up the data...it was still on auto-pilot when it crashed.
I nominate this as post of the day!