Good Landing, Wrong Airport
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SAN FRANCISCO — Passengers on a flight down the California coast from San Jose to San Luis Obispo got an unexpected side trip when the pilots mistakenly landed at the Santa Maria airport.
Wings West Flight 5148, carrying nine passengers and a crew of two, landed in clear weather Saturday at Santa Maria, 36 miles from its destination.
Federal aviation officials were trying to figure out why the commuter flight made the wrong turn.
After landing, the Fairchild Metro twin-engine turbo-prop plane went on to San Luis Obispo.
Wings West President John Selvaggio said the company, a subsidiary of American Airlines, is conducting an investigation into the mix-up.
If found to be at fault, the pilots could face punishment ranging from retesting of skills to license suspension, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elly Brekke said.
Pilots have several ways to keep track of their position. Officials said they use projected flight times in addition to navigational equipment to track their progress.
They are also supposed to look out the window.
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