Coke:
I agree with you, however, never assume that ATC (including the hapless chappie in the TWR) read NOTAMS. I can list many personal experiences.
With technical crew......need I continue?
Nonetheless, the procedure should have been NOTAMed OTS because of the displayed threshold. Then, the tech crew may have seen the NOTAM.
I think the ICAO folks wouldn't be pleased with the lack of such a NOTAM then and now. But, they advise, not control such circumstances. It could have an affect on the accident report, though.