Originally Posted by
atpcliff
They WERE in the correct physical location to take off on the correct runway. The runways connected in a "V" shape, and they were in the takeoff position for BOTH runways.
No they weren't. The runways intersected a short ways down, but not at their departure ends. The pilots needed to cross the departure end of the accident runway, and then taxi down another short taxiway in order to reach the runway they were supposed to be on. Instead the lined up on the first runway they came to. Which was pitch black...even though they commented on that fact, they continued the takeoff in total violation on 121 rules.
Note: the airport has been largely redesigned, the current 10-9 bears no resemblance to layout in 2006.