Cowan was completely ignorant of the shortest aerial route to the U.S.S.R. and went eastward instead of going northward and passed over New York City. This allowed the Avengers to intercept and defeat Red Ronin rampaging in New York harbor.
Cowan lacked awareness of the shortest aerial path to the U.S.S.R. and consequently flew eastward instead of northward, passing over New York City. This enabled the Avengers to confront and defeat Red Ronin, who was causing chaos in New York Harbor.