Yes, Megan's map is pretty close. News reports I read said he landed on the beach at Costa da Caparica "between Bicho D'įgua, and Leblon Restaurante." Search Google Maps for the first restaurant and you'll see the situation.
Landing on the beach would be my first choice, but not if it involved mowing down people. The alternative of ditching was equally available, the sea was calm and it's warm and shallow with a sandy bottom. Plus there's a beach full of rescuers. If you have to ditch, that's ideal. According to this website,
EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE (tm) - Ditching Myths Torpedoed! "inshore ocean ditching" like this has an 88% survival rate.
Ditching also avoids the angry mob yelling "Killer!" (which is what happened).