Jerricho...all yours.
Pullock, why would a comms problem in a hornet be worse than any other aircraft? The pilot was the CO of the unit, ie experienced, he is in a fighter with a air intercept radar so his SA is going to be above anyone else airborne. If it was a USMC hornet it was almost certainly a C/D model, not very old at all (not that this is important), certainly younger than most of the clapped out dinosaurs flogging around in GA.
Anyway, I think the point is being missed....the dodgy jet was led in for an uneventful landing by his wingman. The jet that went around was servicable. Where's the problem, or am I missing something?
My god, fancy a fully servicable jet coming within 24 kilometres of RPT traffic. Heaven help us all!