Originally Posted by
AirBear
I don't know what the area looks like or their altitude when the engine failed but I'd think twice about giving up control to the parachute. Maybe they weren't high enough to make if back to the runway, or maybe the area was too built up for a safe engine out landing.
Once you pull that chute you give up choosing a landing spot. I can think of all kinds of bad things that can happen, especially in heavy industrial areas.
There is a degree of sketch when you commit to that thing, similar to a mil ejection seat. You need to be in the envelope, and the thing needs to work properly or you're in the deep kimchee.
But that grey area depends on the pilot too... low-time PPLs are probably more prone to pull the handle than you or I would be.