After reading the transcript, I don't see how it can't be pilot error. Fatigue? Poor scan? Lack of situational awareness? Violation of sterile cockpit? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

I am not one to Monday morning Quarterback and typically will always side with the pilot, because I know we are human. But, look at the transcript. There is constant conversation -- most of it non-flight related -- for the entire 58 minuets of the flight.

If I was involved in a constant conversation for 58 minuets after I woke up at noon with 10 hours of sleep I would be fatigued while I laid in bed. Let alone to fly an approach into an airport with low visibility and gusty winds.

Am I just old? Am I just flying an old aircraft? But, can you guys really check out with conversation for an entire flight then pop back in somewhere inside the initial approach fix?

I think the real question should be if we are so reliant on automation that we feel we can get away with not putting flying the airplane first until sometime after the gear is lowered. Because in my mind, there aren't too many airplanes out there that will let you do that.

Fire away.