Not sure how FAA Form 7233-1 would have provided much protection from flying into a building. Its only a single sheet of paper - not much padding. Although, ironically, the "Paperwork Reduction Act Statement" does cause it to carry over to a second page.

A flight plan is just an offical notice telling the FAA "Here's where I'm going and when I expect to get there, please look for me if I don't let you know I got there ok." A good idea, but it has nothing to do with the safety of the actual flight.

This does not stop the media from gleefully reporting "The Cessna 172 was hit by a meteor while tied down in its parking space at the airport. Under persistent questioning, the FAA official finally looked at his feet and admitted that, no, the small plane had not, in fact, filed a flight plan."

Anyway, too bad they weren't able to pop the chute.