I was going to post on the Military forum on this accident, but as it's here....
The missus and I have agreed to disagree on whether a military pilot should bang out if he's over land. My own viewpoint is that if the aircraft can be safely left to hit the ground so as not to obviously endanger life, then out you go.
She, on the other hand, is of the opinion that he should stay in just in case the aircraft should change course, and go in with it, probably to be killed.
I should add that I was an Air Force kid (Dad retired in 1978 after a long and successful career) whereas she has never known service life.
As far as I'm aware, there have been very few instances of Military aircraft in Europe or elsewhere in the developed world destroying civilian lives when the pilot ejected safely, but would be interested to hear of any occurrence. I doubt it would change my dear wife's mind, as very little has, over the years!
Perhaps we should move this thread to Military Aircrew, Danny?