Originally Posted by
spornrad
If you don't know when not to pull the stick pulling the BSR is clearly the better option.
Theoretically (and possibly even practically under benign circumstances) surely 95% of the Pilots that stretched and crashed knew when theoretically not to pull. And then there's the real thing where suddenly you see obstacles or just need to get over those bloody trees or that house in front of you and that's when instincts will kick in and it is EXTREMELY hard not to give in and to subtly further pull on the stick (and get yourself deeper into trouble by deteriorating glide ratio) when on speed of best glide. On the sofa, sitting besides your armchair none of those would have crashed.
By pulling BRS you prevent getting into the situation where shortly before touchdown you notice an ugly obstacle which might force you into a deadly mistake. That said it is not an easy decision to accept knowingly significantly damaging your plane by pulling the chute (confirmed by not few instances of planes with BRS that nonetheless fatally crashed).
High marks from me for decision making to the pilot in this case.