Yes MOR, I agree that the 'seconds after takeoff' issue is the telling point; it would be hoped that every pilot has the folly of a turnback in such circumstances drummed into them.
The other, less black-and-white, issue is, to my mind, the critical differences between what we are used to seeing in training and what we might really attempt in the real case, given the fear, pressure and probable disbelief factors.
All very well to say that it's an obvious error of judgement; maybe so, but suffice it to say that some of us would make the right decision on the day, others would not, and there's likely no way to tell which would be which.
Practice and good instruction are great things to have, but this young bloke was there in the hot seat and did what he did.