Until I hear more about it, my default position is to side with the PILOT IN COMMAND over all monday morning co-pilot comments. The pilot did the right thing. GET 'ER DOWN!
I've been there myself and I can assure you that anything that could have been posted here would not have carried one gram of weight in my decision.
"A landing in a congested area requires a written permission from the CAA". Really ShyTorque? Even in an emergency? You aren't suggesting that the pilot PLANNED to land in a school yard, are you?
206 jock, is it true that you once said "Doesn't that pilot know what harm he's doing by landing in the Hudson River"? Just wondering...