[Steely Tom]

I am reminded of the Cavalese cable car disaster of 1998, in which an EA-6B Prowler doing 540 mph at an altitude of between 260 and 330 feet severed a cable car cable, killing 20 people.

If memory serves, the pilot responsible for that incident was turned over to the Italians for trial, and was imprisoned as a result.

I don't think McCain's incident was quite as serious, but it still would have ended an ordinary naval airman's career.

[cynwoody]

If memory serves, the pilot responsible for that incident was turned over to the Italians for trial

Nope. The pilot and navigator were tried at Camp Lejeune on 20 counts of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide.

Not guilty.

Next, they were tried for obstruction of justice for destroying a video recorded during the flight. They were found guilty on that and dismissed from the Navy. The captain also got six months, but served only four and a half.

[publius911]

If memory serves, the pilot responsible for that incident was turned over to the Italians for trial, and was imprisoned as a result.
I don't think McCain's incident was quite as serious, but it still would have ended an ordinary naval airman's career.

The unwritten subtext being that, had not McCain's dad and Grandfather been admirals (?) his Navy airman career would have ended right there.

He would not have flown again.
He would not have been shot down and captured.
He would not have been lionized as a POW hero
He probably would never have run for Federal office as a hero, or any other way.

... and we would not be having this conversation.