"Richard Kaplan" wrote in message Are you assuming traffic on the
interstate?

Every situation is different. On a sunny day with light traffic, it probably
wouldn't make much difference. However, on the day in question, it would
have been hard to find the interstate as forward visibilty was restricted.
Additionally, the ceiling was low. The pilot wouldn't have had much time to
manuever to avoid the traffic and the traffic wouldn't have had much time to
react once the pilot sighted the interstate. Wet pavement would increase
stopping distances.

More options equals better risk management. In this specific incident, the
occupants would likely have been severly injured or killed if the plane had
forward motion when it encountered the pine trees.

D.