Landings at wrong airports are unfortunately not too uncommon.  But in most cases the airports are not only close together, but also of similar size.  But a 737 on a 3,700 foot long runway?

 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/travel/southwest-plane-wrong-airport/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

With an FMC programmed with downloaded data from the airline's routing system I can't for the life of me figure out how this could still happen. All one has to do is look at their ND screen and fly the proper approach to the runway. There's too much information in the cockpit as well as air traffic control where mistakes like this shouldn't happen...

I was going to ask the same question. I'm assuming it was a "visual" approach, but regardless, if your FMC was programmed with the approach and/or runway, how could this happen? Wouldn't this be SOP at any airline? And the plane was equipped with the HUGS -  wouldn't that make it even more improbable?

And the plane was equipped with the HUGS -  wouldn't that make it even more improbable?

HUGS???

If he meant Heads-Up Guidance System then I believe the acronym is just HGS.

 

I do wonder how the cockpit was equipped.  Would be interesting to see.  Not all are the same, and there could be significant variances due to age of the aircraft and/or its last complete makeover.  If you have ever been to Branson you understand it is a pretty low pax volume route, so the 737 used was likely not the same as you would find on an LAX to ORD flight.

Correct, HGS. I could remember the acronym for the HUD. I stand in the corner, shamed by my woeful ignorance. 

Speaking of which, I did think that all SW 737's were equipped with HGS, and I believe this was a 737-700.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303338304575155813404043090

With an FMC programmed with downloaded data from the airline's routing system I can't for the life of me figure out how this could still happen. All one has to do is look at their ND screen and fly the proper approach to the runway. There's too much information in the cockpit as well as air traffic control where mistakes like this shouldn't happen...

 

The ND may not have been in Map mode.

 

Makes sense if they were on a Visual approach IMO,

.

But a 737 on a 3,700 foot long runway?

 

Ha ha I do that in FSX with the PMDG sometimes. Drop her on the numbers and bring her to a stop, good fun in the Simulator. If I was on that jet as a passenger I probably would have got a kick out of it having experienced a stop like that in a real 737. 

 

Part of the fun of the Simulator is being able to do stuff like that if you are simulating an emergency. 

Plane is about to takeoff now, but CNN cut away right before it happened to talk about chris christie. I'd rather watch the plane takeoff. heh

Here is a link to an interesting chart for what I believe is KOQU, North Kingston, Rhode Island, USA.  It has one runway about the same length as what the SW 737-700 landed on in Branson.  Notes at the bottom show assumptions about conditions, two of which are: no reverse thrust; and no winds.  Field elevation at N. Kingston is 55 MSL compared to around 1,300 at Branson.  So the just-under-5,000 ft shown on the linked chart for the 737-700 is not absolute, but relatively shows how far below safe landing distance the SW flight was.  

 

http://www.airportsites.net/MasterPlans/PVD/Final%20mp%20exhibits/CHIII/EX_III-1-9_Rwy-Length.pdf

You're blaming automation?

The pilots screwed up!

Plane is about to takeoff now, but CNN cut away right before it happened to talk about chris christie. I'd rather watch the plane takeoff. heh

 

 

Let's see if Fox News got it... 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ehNMdPobM

Southwest, if I'm not mistaken, has SOPs that involve more manual flying, especially the avoidance of auto-throttle.  I'm sure this is strictly human error.

Use the FMC . Fix, airport designator and the runway bearing and distance, How can you MISS! Those who naysay theres TOO much automation. I seen a report from a former NTSB investigatoir stating SW doesnt use enough automation!

Let's see if Fox News got it... 

 

Wow!  The long lens in that video, zoomed so far, makes that 737-7 look like an A380.  (or is it just because of the small airport!)       ( : -)

 

And it did not appear he stood on the brakes KSNA style while boosting up!  He just went!