Out of interest exactly how much trouble does one get into for punching off 2 rather expensive drop tanks by accident ?
In fact the unfortunate guy put more pressure on himself that evening, worrying about where they hit. Didn't even show up for the obligatory post night air refueling beer. Said he'd had trouble sleeping.
It was done over southern Kansas which is pretty wide open, however when they were located the next day they were 'close enough' to a barn that I imagine the farmer was well paid for his 'trouble'.
Pilot felt relieved and no harm, no foul.
(Actually, though the two switches were cover guarded with different color guards (one black and one red), it was found that most of our red guarded wing tank jettison switch covers were not safety wired like they were supposed to be.)