Apparently there is no back up for such a mistake. There is a backup. A warning sound and caution light came on. Instead of heeding the warning, apparently the pilot tried to silence it, if this report is accurate.
What is left, having the autopilot take control of the aircraft and bring it to a lower altitude?
Your right, the backup was supposed to be the guys in the drivers seat.
Man-on-man, while the Captain had his ATP he sure did not have much knowledge of his aircraft!!!! The copilot sounds like he was there for W&B purposes.
Remind me to stay with the scheduled carriers in the future!