“True, the HSI (artificial horizon) would have settled the question if it could be trusted. The gyros can go bad, so you can’t automatically assume the HSI isn’t lying, especially if the VSI is going nuts, as I understand it was. Plus, the FCS was apparently trying to fly the plane out of a stall, and fighting the pilots.”
The HSI is a Horizontal Situation Indicator. It does not give pitch or bank information like an Attitude Indicator or artificial horizon.
You’re right — I put the wrong name to the AI, which is what I meant.