as long as humans will be humans, human error will continue. This is why I never understood the training mindset that a pilot should be able to dissect a fuel pump and discuss it on powerpoint. Who cares. It works or it does not. How do I handle the failure is the question. Or memorize the tail height of my airplane. When I decide to mail it, then I will learn it.

That is not what is killing pilots or getting pilots into trouble, even today, 2013. Basic 101 is. The same stuff that did it in 1950 is doing it today.

Stall/spin (typically on final)

VMC into IMC

CFIT

ATC error not double verified by Pilot

Pilot error/read-back not double verified by ATC

Fatigue induced stuff

IFR Approach not flown according to plate specs

Spatial Disorientation

Fuel exhaustion (not sure when this will ever be completed solved, we have Proline 21, G-1000, etc gee whiz technology, that can fly an entire holding pattern on auto pilot, but this has not been solved yet. This "concept" is not new, engines have needed fuel since the Model-T Ford was invented)

Lined up on wrong runway (takeoff or landing phase)

Landing fast/long

Bungled missed approach/go-around

CRM issues

operating a mechanically unairworthy/unsafe airplane when you should know better

penetrating severe weather/conditions when you probably had an alternate choice and should have known better

final category: All of the above

almost all incidents/accidents involving professional crews (corporate, military, airline) fall into the above categories. Well, probably ALL aviation accidents.

Years ago a United aircraft landed at Fort Lauderdale Executive instead off FLL. Landing at the wrong airport is a big deal, but I stand by my statement that I can see how it can happen. Northwest had a DC-10 land at Brussels instead of Frankfort about 15 years ago. Forget different airport, they landed in a different country. FWIW, they knew they weren't landing in Frankfort, but they were dis-oriented and decided best to figure it out on the ground. ATC had a huge hand on them ending up at wrong field. I know a Chautauqua flight landed at Elkhart instead of Soutbend about 12 years ago. A Northwest 320 landed at an airforce base instead of Rapid City in the last decade. These things are easier to do than you think. It will happen with no navaids, an unfamiliar airport that's not in your datatbase, at an airport with a similar layout with marginal weather and fatigue.

Ummm ... I thought the FAA determined that Cargo pilots don't get fatigued?

As a side note, I thought the Dreamlifter was a 787 parts carrier. Why was it going into an AFB?

Secret squirrel sh*t.
Shhh, the drive by media might pick-up on that fact...

Atlas Line crew.

Also, both KAAO 18 and KIAB 19L have a PAPI on the left and ALS with sequenced flashers (MALSR vs ALSF1). KAAO is depicted on the high and low charts, and on the Jepp approach plate to 19L, but it is not on the government approach plate.

If they picked up the KAAO PAPI and rabbit lights near WITBU, I can also see how they could get sucked off the approach. Especially since IAB would be 15 NM in the distance.

You may think it can't happen to you... You may be right. But it happened to someone and it is a worthwhile effort see how it happened and not just assume they were complete morons...

We are all human and human errors will continue to happen! Even with all the fancy equipment and the best training, etc..... human error is still going to happen. Airplanes still turn onto the wrong taxiway, get lost on the airport, and yes, land at the wrong airport. I seem to remember a C17 last year landing at the wrong airport. What is amazing, is how much pilots eat their own! I dont recall reading about that in "Fate is the Hunter"! State of the art airplane, two maybe three pilots upfront, ATC, etc... it happened! Learn from it, but don't sit back and judge the crew...they are one of us! And it will happen again!

That's a piece of work. Particularly if you're flying direct Newman into the sun.

Yeah. Couple of guys with PHd's, slide rules, and pocket protectors flew it out. It's pretty much rocket science to get a 747 off 6000 feet of concrete. I think they threw on some tundra tires and a STOL kit before they left.