(a) Selecting an RNAV (GPS) Non precision approach with a steeper non-standard angle of descent (3.24 degs inside the MDA)--
(b) To the shortest runway: RWY 18 is 7099' vs. RWY 24 is 10801'
(c) At a designated "special airport" (due to surrounding terrain)
(d) With high approach minimums 600' 1 & 1/2 miles
... and no approach lights!
(e) In the wee dark hours (crew duty period unknown)
(f) QUITE LIKELY: bending the rules (and below approach minimums!)
Now we know that the AFCS was engaged below the MDA (minimum descent altitude)
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MUCH BETTER SET-UP FOR A BIG JET IN THE DARK HOURS OF THE MORNING...
(a) Select/request ILS RWY 24 --
Fully coupled-autopilot approach to an actual external ILS system --
(...instead of internal computer magic based on GPS data for RWY 18)...
(b)To the longest runway...nearly 11,000 long...
(c) Still a designated "special airport" -- and coupled approach minimums reflect those slightly higher minimums...
(d) Lower approach minimums: 300' and 3/4 mile
Added bonus... RWY 24 has a full approach light system
(RWY 18 does NOT HAVE approach lights... REIL only)
(e) RWY 24 ILS has a more common (shallow) glide slope angle for coupled approaches...
(f) For a fully coupled ILS approach -- autopilot use i approved all the way to approach minimums-- and for a missed approach... huge advantage.
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TRUE STORY:
The grizzled, chicken-neck, gravel-voiced captain leaned back to call for the approach checklist late one night...
... after a particularly thorough briefing for descent and instrument arrival into LAX
(nonstop from the east coast)
He said to the young flight engineer...
Son... if you wanna win every time...
....stack the deck in your favor...
...every time.
When the young engineer passed thru the right seat for a few ears...
... and finally won his captain's stripes & scrambled eggs...
He used that advice on every flight...
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Just my $.02...
Truly sorry these pilots died in the crash...
These pilots died because the weather was NOT what it was reported to be!
Thought 06/24 was closed for maintenance, also thought they were using the LOC-18 app.(?) Still(unless I’ve got the date/times wrong)a FEDEX plane appeared to land shortly after(?)the crash... http://flightaware.com/live/flight/FDX1488/history/20130814/0854Z/KMEM/KBHM ...and looks like it used 06...so exactly how long was 06/24 down?
The longer runway was closed.