I can see why this wasn't investigated. Sounds to me like they were being vectored to the VOR (as often happens) and then for one reason or another took a visual approach. This has happened to me on numerous occasions when ATC offer up the visual approach during vectors to expedite the approach or decent. Obviously they then lined up on the Northerly RWY at ESS. Now at some point on that approach either the crew or ATC or both realised the mistake and a missed approach was undertaken. Sounds as though everything actually worked well, someone was on the ball and prevented a c*ckup.