[null and void]

the crew had stopped responding to radio messages at 10.30am

So there was communications with the pilots.

Assuming the pilots heard the radio calls, of course. I'd like to think that the radio communications don't get washed through the computer system.

That would be silly, but engineers with a charter to build the first 100% computer controlled aircraft are apt to make everything computer controlled!

[Tzfat]

I'd like to think that the radio communications don't get washed through the computer system. That would be silly, but engineers with a charter to build the first 100% computer controlled aircraft are apt to make everything computer controlled!

Yes, that would be silly. The primary radio will work if everything fails down to DC essential power. No computers.

BTW, the A320 is not 100% computer controlled. Not even close. Fly by wire simply means that it is electrical signals sent out to hydraulic actuators at the control surfaces.