[ko_kyi]

"Not that I'm not glad the pilot is safe, but I thought pilots were expected to ride the bird all the way to the ground when over civilian airspace."

I heard that is a myth. If they can land the bird somewhere they do, if they can control the aircraft they will return to base. If the aircraft is uncontrollable it will crash whether they are in it or not, so they get out.

[Born to Conserve]

Years ago, there was a crash nearby (Willow Grove Air Base) where an A6 (I think) ran short of fuel somehow. The pilot put it down on a neighborhood street, between the houses, and ejected safely getting his parachute partially melted by the exploding plane. No one on the ground was hurt.

[ThunderStruck94]

I am a Navy pilot. T-45 Instructor. We do everything we can to avoid civilian areas, but if the aircraft can't be controlled, it is not our fault....see ya!

[Garvin]

I knew a fine Marine Lt that fell a AV-8B (Harrier) into the dirt to protect the civilian population at MCAS Cherry Point. Another sad day in Marine Corps Aviation.