I'm not convinced that a BRS "saved the day" unless the airplane had become unflyable. Perhaps the pilot, instead could have glided it to a forced landing less risky to people and property on the ground? My preference will always be to maintain as much control of the airplane as possible, as long as possible, in the hope of causing the least risk to people on the ground. The regulations do say that a pilot shall not release things from an airplane which could create a risk to people on the group - personally, I interpret this to include the whole airplane!