[bjornsing]

Personally I think the risk he exposed others to gets too little attention. That jet could have come down anywhere. I can understand it’s a nerve wrecking situation and that ejecting is a likely outcome in any event, so “sooner rather than later” might feel like the better option. But sending the jet off as a cruise missile could have been avoided.

[echoangle]

If you don't see anything, staying in the aircraft doesn't make it any less of a missile. If he didn't eject, he could have still crashed into houses exactly like it could have after ejecting.

[bjornsing]

In the extreme, sure. And I’m not saying I know he was in the wrong. I’m just saying it’s something I think gets too little attention.

It was obviously possible to get the plane into a climb, because that’s how it ended up after he ejected. Once you are there is time to think and plan. Bad visibility doesn’t stretch infinity in the upward direction.

[echoangle]

And how would you know if you’re climbing or not if you don’t trust the instruments?

If you still have a working attitude indicator you can trust, you obviously shouldn’t eject, but it sounds like he wasn’t sure if he could still rely on that. You don’t feel the direction the plane is going without instruments.

[bjornsing]

He had functioning backup instruments. It’s nerve wrecking of course, and I’m aware it’s a lot to ask, but if you want to fly a fighter jet I think that comes with an obligation to stay in the cockpit and try to avert a catastrophe even at significant risk to your own life. I would certainly be willing to take that risk myself.