The flight crew aren't going to be the only ones with things to answer for here. If the tower was manned, and since the weather was clear (6 mile visibility), I'm going to be interested to find out what the tower controller(s) were doing. I know the final responsibility is always with the captain and flight crew, but I do wonder if an observant tower controller (especially at a low-traffic time like 0600) could have seen Comair 191 turning onto the wrong runway and advised them of the mistake.
}:-)4
You make a great point! The tower is partially responsible for the mistake (if that is what happened).
Unfortunately, the final report will blame pilot error.
I've heard the visibility mentioned at 8 miles several times--doesn't sound like the weather caused this to happen!
Pilot error or 'pile o' terror'?