Chuks
I'm glad you enjoyed the reference to SLF noticing if there was something wrong. I am SLF and in this case at this airport would have noticed something wrong, namely the lack of a terminal while rolling down the runway !
I've read all about the lighitng, the markings and taxiway signage, lack of current maps but I said this earlier and I'll say it again, how in God's name did neither pilot make a comment regarding the absence of the terminal while on take-off roll? At 6:00am the terminal would be well lit and extremely difficult to miss.
As airports go, this isn't a difficult place to navigate. There are no obstacles on approach. It's literally situated in the middle of the Kentucy horse farms. Up until the accident, I would imagine the biggest problem facing this airport would be coralling the odd horse now and again. That's how rural this place is.
Newarksmells