Another contribution to the "mentality" theory is the case of the 11-nov-1998
air parade in Warsaw on National Day and the 80th anniversary of the Resurrection
of Poland.
In spite of marginal weather, the generals on the tribune ordered the aircraft to take off.
The officers opposed, so the generals ordered a training aircraft, Iskra to
do the "weather reconnaissance" flight.
The aircraft flew into cloud and eventually crashed due to instruments icing and
spatial disorientation.
ASN Aircraft accident 11-NOV-1998 TS-11 "Iskra"
In spite of that accident the generals ordered two fighter jets to take off and
do a flyover near the tribunes.
The ceiling was 400m, the two jets buzzed at 300m above a 2 mil. city
below the tops of the skyscrapers.
This action resulted in court-martial for the few of the generals and colonels,
but just with minor penalties or aquittal.
Also a very important anniversary, President, Prime Minister and a lot
of other officials on the tribune...
The Air Force couldn't allow to be humiliated by the stupid weather.