General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: OK, so some of you jumped all over me yesterday after the horrible plane crash [View all]panzerfaust
(2,818 posts)In my experience few pilots would agree with this statement.
Though I do think saving the (expensive) pilot is likely the military doctrine.
Friend of mine flying an F-111 took a migrating goose through his canopy. Aerodynamics immediately changed, severe buffeting, difficult to maintain control. Doctrine: Immediate eject.
As he prepared to do so, though he was not quite sure of exactly where he was (not uncommon) he realized that he was close to a major city and decided to try to ride it until he could eject in a less densely populated area.
As he fought the plane to a safe heading and came back on the power he realized that he could probably keep it in the air long enough to get back to base.
He did this, safely landed, and was immediately in trouble for not ejecting. One thing led to another but after going though a lot of crap, he was not disciplined.
However, he had had enough and shortly thereafter - though he had 12 years in - said to hell with the USAF.
He simply did what I, speaking as a pilot, think most pilots would do given the chance: Put the safety of unsuspecting people on the ground second to his own personal safety.
I have no idea of the circumstances of this F-18 crash beyond that it occurred on take-off: That flight segment where you have the fewest options.