6f1,
My previous comments related to your choice or words. The PIC made errors of judgement; don't we all to a greater or lesser extent? I would not classify this as 'poor airmanship' but, perhaps, that is the semantics of a generalised expression. A forced landing requires far more than 'following basic rules'. It is a procedure with respect to airspeed and high and low key heights but it requires considerable judgement. There is generic best practise but, even in this modern age, it can never be flown by simply following rules. All of the relevant items from the SI report were well covered by the AAIB report, and the coroner, in accordance with normal practice at such inquests, used the latter.
Just This Once,
Your comments on ".. flying indiscipline, rule breaking .." are an interpretation of events that occurred. Be careful of condemning people in such a manner unless you really know what happened. Similarly, ".. an apparent indifference to safety". I can assure you that none of the aircrew at ETPS were indifferent to safety. Every day, everyone went to work and tried to perform their job as safely as possible with every intention of going home that evening having not broken any aeroplanes or people. Circumstances may have made that difficult but everyone was very safety conscious. This was just one tragic accident and the first fatality at ETPS since 1981 (and that was due to an aircraft malfunction and a medical issue post ejection). I would argue that safety had been maintained there because of the people, not despite them. In the circumstances, it is inappropriate for me to expand any further.
Orca,
Valid observation - thanks.
Rgds
L