And how would you know if you’re climbing or not if you don’t trust the instruments?
If you still have a working attitude indicator you can trust, you obviously shouldn’t eject, but it sounds like he wasn’t sure if he could still rely on that. You don’t feel the direction the plane is going without instruments.
He had functioning backup instruments. It’s nerve wrecking of course, and I’m aware it’s a lot to ask, but if you want to fly a fighter jet I think that comes with an obligation to stay in the cockpit and try to avert a catastrophe even at significant risk to your own life. I would certainly be willing to take that risk myself.
If you still have a working attitude indicator you can trust, you obviously shouldn’t eject, but it sounds like he wasn’t sure if he could still rely on that. You don’t feel the direction the plane is going without instruments.