I know a plane can be damaged way beyond flight and still have an icon. I'm asking if a plane can have an icon but be damaged beyond the systems threshold of critical damage so no further shooting by an opposing player will register as a kill or assist.
Yes, because if a plane is damaged beyond flight, it is certainly damaged beyond the critical level.
If you shoot a plane/vehicle that has already reach that critical damage level all you can hope for is an assist. The only way to know if a plane is beyond that critical damage point is experience. There will be no indicator telling you it has been reached. Flames are a good indicator, whole wings missing, tails missing are usually good signs the plane has reached that critical mark.
