Oops. C-17 Globemaster lands at small private airport

[..]

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/329411/28/Huge-military-jet-lands-at-wrong-airport?odyssey=obinsite

[steve 3054]

oooooops,  I'm thinkin I could have come up with a better answer than just the wrong airport....there is no mistaking a 3500 ft, runway from a 11,000 ft. runway from the air

[Patrick]

Well, stuff happens.. Mistakes are made every day,, if this really was a mistake.. That  C-17 was certainly talking to someone,, certainly military and possibly even civilian also.. I've been to Knight several times over the years and its in line and near  where they were going.. Every pilot needs to practice their short field landings,, this guy just did it for real and the C-17 is a good short field performer..

[sugerbear]

practicing for aircraft landings?? 

[old2soon]

practicing for aircraft landings?? 

  When i was in the Navy within a couple weeks of coming back to the states we started our work ups. Getting pilots and crews ready to go back overseas. Old adage holds very true-practice makes perfect. New pilots and crew members have to be taught. Back on the ship we took advantage of the cruise time from conus to the waters off nam. Once aboard ops were 24/7. Burned a lot of fuel and munitions practicing. RIDE SAFE.

[czuch]

It was the "vinyl vacuum" that helped it stop.

[YoungPUP]

Better to be lucky than good!

[RP#62]

I almost did the opposite once at the same location.  Tower told me it happens all the time.  I was cleared to land at Peter O Knight. Coming up from the south, field in sight, talking to the tower.  Noticed a bunch of fighters parked on the ramp and was thinking something's not right. I told the tower what I saw, they said you're probably lined up on McDill - we're 3 miles northeast.   I was day VFR however and I'd imagine the C-17 may have had a few more instruments.   McDill, Tampa International and Peter O Knight form a triangle 3-4 miles apart from each other.

-RP