I dunno, I see it both ways...
If you want realism sorta stuff, bring that plane home to call the sortie a success.
But, if you have your engine blown out and have the gall to attempt a landing at an enemy field (especially with them buzzing around close by), then kudos if you can pull it off.
Then again, I've seen many times where guys are on vapor while waiting for the goon to arrive to snare the capture at a dead base. Its happened to me, you sit there, thinking you'll witness the capture, then WHAMMO, their Acks re-up. Doh!