Understood,
Most, if not all pilots try desperately to steer away from populated areas, some try so hard they don’t make it out of their aircraft.
Sorry, didn’t mean to make it sound like you were “advocating”, re-reading my comment I can see where it might look like that.
From my time in the USAF, I’m not sure if there is a “policy”, probably some unwritten “rule” that you do your best, but that the aircraft can be replaced, people can’t.
Some failures are so catastrophic, that pilots aren’t given a choice to try and avoid populated areas and are forced to eject as soon as possible. Re: the F117A crash in Maryland about 10 years ago. The wing came apart and the aircraft instantly went out of control. The pilot had no choice but to eject and pray for those on the ground.
From what I understand, the plane crashed shortly after takeoff, which may mean that there was no time or power to steer the craft to a safer area.
no problem. Thanks, I appreciate your response. I agree with you. Each situation is going to be different and the pilots just do their best.