[luvbach1]

The cockpit crew could have made the decision to refuse to follow the order.

If they had refused I think it would have been easy for their command to second guess that decision (and charge insubordination), claiming that the Taliban were firing from it or near the hospital, thus justifying an attack. A damned if you do and damned if you don't situation.

[Altariel]

If you refuse, your conscience is clear, and YOU are not responsible for shedding the blood of innocents,