Originally Posted by
runway30
Interesting that you mention the Gimli Glider because the disused runway they went for was also occupied by people on the ground.
The general area was occupied by large numbers of people, but obviously not the runway they used, as there were no fatalities. I think they would have to go with the "greater good", do their best to save as many lives as possible, whether they were in the air or on the ground. Most likely that will mean focusing on saving your passengers in the case of an airliner.
At Gimli, there was no trade off between lives in the air and on the ground. A little good luck with all the bad that day.