eli5: the F14 tomcat ejection- does it matter if the pilot or RIO initiates ejection

Question

In the original Top Gun, Maverick says that he cannot reach the ejection handles because he is pinned forward, which forces Goose to eject them out of the plane. Would the outcome have been different if Maverick was able to punch them out instead of Goose having to? Or would Goose still have crashed into the canopy?

In: 1

Answer 1

Volume warning–6:14 of (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITwA9M2Qtcc) shows the ejection sequence of an F-*18*..so different seats AFAIK, but it shows the explosive bolts part.