If they wanted to crash in the ocean why didn’t they take a right turn towards the vast Pacific ocean instead of turning left where they had to cross land is my question.
My question as well —
and why all the evasive maneuvers to get out of the area without being seen.
This pilot wanted to put that plane down where he could survive and where there were probably people waiting to pick him up.
And if they did then his plan worked because they had over two weeks while people were looking everywhere else — and still are.