Actually this makes more sense.
Panetta was running the op so he could control what information was being forwarded to the Situation Room. If the team had hit the compound quietly, and confirmed no bin Laden, then they could have quietly exited. But once they had their man for sure, It was time to get out quick.
The tail rotor looked like it must have struck something. The Blackhawk is known for landing with its tail very low.
I'm thinking what the folks in the situation room were getting were the events of getting out of Dodge. Up until then, Panetta was keeping it quiet so as not to receive another order to kill the mission. Meaning the results on the ground were happening far in advance of information reaching the WH.
Even if they received an order to scrub the mission, I am thinking Panetta wanted to have had his mission accomplished, and then to blame the communications delay on the ground troops.
"Sorry boss, our radios went out, we never heard the call to retreat, we just went on and finished the mission like you asked."
I agree - you’re comments show a deeper understanding, Dustoff... Panetta could be the real hero here. Hope he doesn’t have to pay a price for his obvious patriotism and excellent service to the nation...