Corrected entry: The plane crashes into the runway because they think they are higher than they really are, but the runway lights are never turned on. I'm no pilot, but I don't think a pilot would try to land a plane on an unlit runway.
jshy7979
27th Aug 2001
Die Hard 2 (1990)
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Correction: A pilot got in touch with me about this: If necessary we will land a plane without runway lights - there is this thing called an ILS (instrument landing system) which they used to land the plane. If not tampered with you would be able to land the plane safely. On the other hand with that much snow on the runway, no plane would be able to land, not enough space to stop the planes. Another thing there is is a safe altitude and approach slope warning that would have went off no matter what the ILS was telling them.
They think they can't see the lights due to the storm, and are flying through clouds. I've seen and been on planes that have taken off and/or landed in heavy fog. The pilots are assuming the lights are on, and they just can't see them yet.
I agree with everything said here, and we can also add that the pilot was being guided by Colonel Stewart, who he thought was air traffic control.
jshy7979