I understand the systems discussions - they are very interesting, but isn't the point here that there was NOBODY FLYING THE AIRPLANE?
We teach all the new systems, procedures and sops, employ TAWS, HGS, EVAS, WAAS etc. etc.; automation is king these days, but we never fail to bully the crew that "somebody always is supposed to be flying the aircraft."
What happened to that?
I stopped saying "Aviate Navigate Communicate" because it was such a tired old saw that the guys I was training would roll their eyes back when I felt I had to say it. Get used to it because out it comes again.
If there are crews out there that are so complaisant that there was nobody watching the shop on final approach, I recommend night school or a real estate license because you are definitely in the wrong job.
