[ClumsyPilot]

I think the real danger is to passengers of the plane. It is very rare for a plane crash to kill anyone on the ground.

Noth of earth surface is not cities, its water/farmland/etc

[iso1210]

More common than you'd think as most crashes are on takeoff or landing, which tend to be in more built up areas.

[occamrazor]

We are discussing high altitude flyovers here.

[iso1210]

Exceptionally unlikey a pilot would be able to crash a plane at 30,000 foot. Far more likely that a medical emergency would lead to a pilot landing at an unfamiliar airport and crashing the plane into block of houses.

[ithkuil]

Scenario: inexperienced/bad pilot misjudges fuel consumption (badly manages energy / height transitions) and requires emergency landing somewhere in EU because it cannot reach London