About the F-15 downed over Iran

[flashman13]

43. Let's get real here. The difference between dying instantly or walking away is pure luck.

There are a large number of variables. They all have to break good for the pilots to walk away. Probably the biggest single variable is aircraft speed at ejection. If the plane is flying at full throttle when hit and instantly starts to break up, you eject at full speed. Major trauma can be expected. If the plane stays together and the pilot retains some control, there is a good chance of slowing the plane down so that the ejection is far less brutal.

There are a number of good videos of the event. Initially there is a large explosion. In just a matter of seconds you can see both pilots ejecting. That means a high speed ejection. Also the ejections are more or less simultaneous. That could be problematic for one or both pilots. The point is that those two variables did not break in favor of the pilots. There are still plenty of other ways for the situation to go bad.

I do hope both pilots were very lucky today.

BTW If a helicopter went down, there are an equally large number a variables governing the survival of that aircrew. If the craft was only damaged and the pilot could retain some control, they have a chance. Without control it's going down like an anvil; all KIA. I hope luck was with these crewman as well.

So tell me again, WTF are we attacking Iran again? Maybe someone can explain it to the aircrews in harms way today. I can't.