Originally Posted by
Lead Balloon
Hi DF
I got the impression (perhaps mistaken or based on inaccurate rumour) that the runway lights were activated by the pilot of the accompanying aircraft after landing? If that’s correct (it may well not be) I surmised that the accident aircraft was still flying around in the interim, eventually in the dark, consuming fuel all the while.
Reference was made earlier to some difficulty with the PAL system. What was that difficulty?
I don't know whether the accompanying aircraft got the lights on before he landed or after, but the bottom line is they were definitely on while the accident aircraft was still airborne. I believe the only difficulty with the PAL system was finger trouble - i.e. he was probably keying the mic too quick. It's happened many times over the years.
DF.