Before AA331 crashed: Pilot opted against mis-approach

[malaise]

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Before-AA331-crashed
<snip>
THE pilot of American Airlines flight 331, which crashed at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston last Tuesday night, opted not to utilise a mis-approach, as suggested by local air traffic controllers, the Observer has learnt.

The mis-approach option -- which would require the pilot to circle and make another landing attempt -- was offered as the Boeing 737-800 approached the runway with a tailwind and in driving rain which, according to local aviation sources, was not heavy enough to prevent the aircraft from landing without problems. (Huh!)

"Three flights landed in the hour before the American Airlines flight," a source at the airport told the Observer yesterday. "It was raining just as heavily at the time they landed. I know the option was communicated to him, but I can't say anything more as the matter is under investigation."

And here come the lawyers
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/US-lawyers-target-AA
<snip>
THREE attorneys from Ribbeck Law, a Chicagobased firm that represents injured parties in different areas of litigation — including aviation accidents — flew into the island on Sunday in an apparent bid to have the firm retained by passengers who were on American Airlines flight 331 when it crashed at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) on December 22.

“We’ll be spending about a week here,” Nancy Nevarez, a member of the team, told the Observer yesterday.

The team, she said, will be offering any assistance to passengers and will use the time here to gather information related to the incident.

They also intend to hold a press conference, she said.

The Ribbeck team’s arrival comes a few days after New York-based aviation law firm Kreindler & Kreindler made phone contact with the Observer to explain, among other things, the options passengers have for compensation.

[MercutioATC]

1. "Missed approach"

...and, depending on the equipment on the plane, nobody even has to see the runway. Quite a few of the newer planes can essentially land themselves.