Originally Posted by
eigenvector
If a military aircraft crashes during operations, it's a tragedy but we also understand that some level of risk is inherent in performing those essential duties.
If a military aircraft crashes during a public demonstration, we might well wonder how much risk is acceptable for what is ultimately a discretionary activity.
I don't pretend to know the exact details here, but I was a routine flight and not a demonstration. There were 2 crew. This was not an airshow. During shuttle site to site, the second seat is occupied by various support personnel.
During acrobatic displays, there is only the pilot with everyone else on the ground. This flight was (should have been) as routine as a YUL to YYZ shuttle and crashes like this are completely random.