Yup, regardless of whatever ultimately happened, the pilot was no doubt a good guy (albeit 10 years my junior, and of sufficiently superior intelligence to have pursued a dental rather than a surgical career).
I don’t know what ultimately happened, but I am sure that he was a good man and true, and that he did his utmost to save his craft.
With a draghm, I’m facing west:
Here’s to you!
(and subsequently East):
“You sons of Bitches”!