Peter Duniho wrote:
From that link, it strongly suggests that the parachute was in fact deployed
only at the last minute. That would easily allow for the possibility of the
pilot having intentionally avoided the residences.

Or he could've opened the chute, then avoided the residences.

Remember the gentleman up here in Nyack NY last year who pulled his
Cirrus chute? He then realized he was going to land in an oil tank
field, so he used the engine and rudder to "fly" his way, while under
the chute, over to a large pond instead.

But it does sound like this time the pilot deployed it too late.

Cheers, Kev