What is a critical factor when deciding to eject during a Precautionary Emergency Landing?

When considering the decision to eject during a Precautionary Emergency Landing, altitude plays a significant role. Ejecting from an aircraft is inherently risky, and a critical factor in making that decision is ensuring that the altitude is below a certain threshold, specifically 2000 feet AGL (Above Ground Level). At altitudes higher than this, there may not be enough time to safely eject, and the likelihood of injury upon impact significantly increases as the aircraft descends.

At less than 2000 feet AGL, the pilot might have a better chance of safely ejecting and escaping potential disaster. The dynamics of ejection systems are designed to operate effectively at lower altitudes, and the resulting descent from that height generally provides sufficient time for the ejection sequence to occur.

While factors such as weather conditions, aircraft certification level, and the aircraft's speed and descent rate may influence the overall situation and the feasibility of landing safely, they aren’t as critical to the decision-making process regarding the moment of ejection as the altitude is. Under 2000 feet, the urgency and risk assessment become paramount, leading to the conclusion that the altitude is indeed the most significant factor when preparing for an ejection.