Southwest Jet Bound for Branson Lands at Wrong Airport

[Major Nikon]

50. Last I heard they were talking to the FAA and the NTSB

So I'm sure they are having several conversations regarding their future in aviation.

All localizers will generate a back course signal to one degree or another simply due to the nature of the antenna design. With a few exceptions the FAA has standardized to one type of antenna with the biggest difference for most being the number of dipoles in the array. Sometimes they can't be flight checked reliably for back course use due to obstructions, and sometimes there isn't enough of a reason for the FAA to maintain the back course approach which costs money. Given the proliferation of GPS approaches, back course approaches are falling out of favor. It's just as easy for them to commission a GPS approach which provides for vertical guidance and in many cases lower minimums. There's no reason not to dial it up, if for no other reason than to receive the DME, which is omnidirectional. Even though there's no requirement to do so, it could have saved their aviation careers and the airline a lot of money. Personally I like to have all my radios working for me. If nothing else it gives me something to do on the enroute phase.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this. Two of these in two months almost guarantees there will be some type of action taken by both the FAA and the insurance companies.