If there were no engine or flight control malfunctions plowing an airline short of the runway, that has a double displaced threshold, is inexcusable, especially on a CAFB day.
No ILS? Laughable, and sad, to think that professional pilots need one to land.
No VASI/PAPI? Makes it tougher but not impossible or unusable.
Many ways to use the FMC to figure out distance to the runway. That should be known before you are signed off by the TRI/TRE/CKA.
Blind adherence to SOP's can be a contributing factor. Watch JFK VOR 13L on a VFR day. It's amusing and disturbing watching guys make a simple approach a CF.