Its been a very interesting thread so far and as usual the opinions are as varied as could be expected.
A few points to consider:
1. For those like myself who are speculating about the G/S and PAPI being a factor to this particular accident on this particular day, that's all it is. A FACTOR. We are not (at least I am not) excusing the crew for making the error (if that was the case) but just pointing out FACTORS (along with fatigue, unfamiliar airports, aircraft system idiosyncrasies, slam dunk approaches, etc, etc, etc..) that could have contributed to errors being made....
2. If you have flown for 32 years and never had an accident, kudos to you. It demonstrates professionalism, experience, good airmanship and perhaps a little luck but you may end up having an accident in your 33rd year. No pilot goes flying with the intention to have an accident. There is no reason to assume that the crew have not flown a visual into this or another airports before at some point in their career. How many highly decorated, multi 10,000 hr pilots have had accidents? Appreciate the unexpected nature of accidents and have empathy for our compatriots when they end up with the short end of stick.
3. It is said by those who have had a chance to observe the culture (and interestingly those who have not), that the Asians, the Africans and Middle Eastern pilots are rigid in their thinking and training and find it difficult to adapt to dynamic and fluid situations. That may or may not be the case but STATISTICALLY airline accidents occur all over the world including Europe and the U.S. which suggests that accidents occurs for other reasons other than being able to "think outside the box".
Accident rates have gone down considerably in the US over the years, but our past history is replete with crews making all kinds of errors that led to disaster. Could it be that we are further along the aviation evolutionary curve than other regions?
So, lets keep the speculation going, indeed that's what the board is for - to express our opinions based on experience, knowledge and things we have heard- but lets keep it respectful, professional and empathetic....
Last edited by Jasavir; 7th Jul 2013 at 17:13.