Wonder What Official Report Will Say?
Most poster are correct - NLK can go down to the MNM irrespective of the TTF.
However, to make 3 (alleged) approaches (all unsuccessful) to NLK and (assumedly) burning ALTN fuel resulting in:
a. a zero option approach (3rd attempt = must land);
b. a ditching, however successful (result of zero option approach);
c. a allusion of "hero" status.
Facts: unsuccessful approaches (3); controlled aircraft ditching due exhaustion of contingencies/fuel.
Forget "stress" and subjective mitigators; to reiterate - min fuel = min options; zero fuel = zero options.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE?