desmotronic
Given the reports that this aircraft had one engine shut down and other not delivering full power makes 95% of this thread irrelevant. Doesnt matter what profile, what aircraft or what training, without one good engine all bets are off. However i am sure someone like Remoak will tell us how much superior he is and how much better he would have done.
Leaving the slur aside (some of you just can't help yourselves, can you), all bets are most certainly
not off. If the remaining engine is giving problems, there is nothing at all to stop the pilot, from a safe height, closing both throttles and executing a glide approach to a safe landing. There were plenty of places to go - just check Google Earth or a map - and he did, at most times during the flight, have the height to do so.
The problem is that it all got too difficult in the last minute or so, and the final desperate attempt to land on the street was never going to be the best option.
Having the self-discipline to choose the safest option in the face of personal or commercial pressure is what distinguishes the professional pilot from the less competent one. Yes, the problems he had were difficult (although could have been much worse - he could have been IMC in bad weather), but there was the possibility of a safe outcome right up until the last minute or so.
Sorry if professionalism offends you.