Even with all the evidence we have available now, I cannot wrap my mind around a pilot choosing a short, unlit, cracked runway and the nice broad surface, lit, runway in front of him. It defies comprehension. I pray to God there is another reason for this.
On a recent flight out of Baltimore we were next up for takeoff. The pilot came on and appoligized because he was going to the end of the line and we will have about a 1/2 delay. He gave a reason that he didn't like some weather that he was seeing. Other planes took off and I was wondering what was with this pilot?
It does defy comprehension. One of the things I find interesting here is the relationship between the end of runway 22, the end of runway 26, and the control tower. Given these locations, I can see how such a mistake could happen at this particular airport compared to most other airports. See the .pdf of the airport layout here.
However, it would require a simultaneous screw-up by the pilot, first officer, and tower controller. That's what is so surprising.