What happens when i crash the plane?

[Captain Ferret]

I don't really understand the "mechanic" of dying. I lose my crew members but what's with the plane?
I do lose some upgrades BUT i do keep some upgrades in the next plane. I don't really understand it......

For example
I have upgraded to armor lvl 2 + guns lvl 3 + radar lvl2 and i crashed.
The next plane has that lvl 2 armor upgrade but it lost both radar lvl 2 and guns lvl 3.

Can someone explain how it works?

[nicholas.sommer]

As I understand it, the upgrades are random (but usually worse than what you had before)

[boris.glevrk]

The upgrades are given depending on the progress, it is indeed usually worse than what you used to have.

[CHOCOLATExPANDA]

Think of it as a NEW plane is commissioned to your crew by the Air Force. Seeing as how you're on more advanced missions than the average Joes (according to your progress in the game), they wanted to make sure to equip you correctly so they gave you better than standard systems and guns.