[Non-Sequitur]

But there was a day when a Naval aviator would stay with the plane and try EVERYTHING in his power to keep it out of a populated area, even if it meant his own death.

Ever been out to Miramar? The whole area around the base is a populated area.

[WayneS]

No, but I grew up in Virginia Beach, near Oceana Naval Air Station. At ONE time it wasn’t very populated, but now.... WOW!

[Azrael]

However, the San Diego Union-Tribune raises a question mark over why Neubauer “chose to land at Miramar, which involves an approach over heavily populated La Jolla and University City, instead of North Island Naval Air Station, which could be approached entirely over water”.