"Dudley Henriques" writes:

It can happen and has happened and will happen again as long as pilots don't
remember to physically check the runway heading by glancing at the DG or
HSI, or even the magnetic compass EVERY time they line up for takeoff. This
should be an automatic reflex action for a pilot, especially at busy
airports where runways are 30 degrees or less apart in direction.

That was my first thought too, especially after the news kept reporting
that the flight data was consistent with taking off from the short
runway.

I usually check my compass and reset my DG when I line up on the runway.
("usually" == "not when rolling onto a short soft strip") It'd be hard
to miss a 30 degree difference then.

I wonder if we'll see calls for scheduled service to require active
tower controllers.

--kyler