tubby
I would just add to that: visual miscues leading pilots to believe they were OK to descend to the runway.
I've flown to BHM quite a bit and always found it an ODD sort of airport...a bit in a bowl. Always thought the VOR (VULCAN) was a bit spooky and the wx was prone to t storms.
On the other hand, Birmingham had the best biscuits I've ever had in my life (US Biscuits, not british).