I am pleased to hear that Cpt. Haynes and the other pilots on board considered landing on the highway/motorway. I am not decrying their skills or their thought processes. All I am asking is; what is the matter with a ploughed field and landing the right way up?
This isn't about boxes. It's about making the most of what we have in the situation we so unexpectedly find ourselves. It's about our attitude, ingrained from years of experience and training in you, me and Cpt. Haynes alike. Considerations of SOPs, training, insurance etc. should be totally disregarded in such a situation. There are no SOPs for these events.
Having seen the abuse undercarriage/gear systems get in everyday use, I am convinced a gentle touchdown even in a ploughed field would be a 'soft landing' for most aircraft.
I say again, the loss of life would almost certainly have been less had the aircraft been put on the ground the right way up.
Its about our attitude as well as that of the aircraft when we reach the ground that is important and I think we need to rethink our attitude. Hence this discussion.