Re: A very long time ago...
'I haven't the background to know if the article was correct or not, but I wonder if the different method could possibly have prevented this incident.'
From a Human Factors point of view it's correct. Essentially we currently have humans monitoring computers so that in the very unlikely event they go wrong the pilot can step in and correct them. Unfortunately as the computers are now so efficient this tends to lead to the humans becoming under-aroused* so that when something does go wrong they're not able to respond effectively in time.
However as humans aren't particularly effective at flying accurately for long periods of time, they get bored and their attention wanders, reversing the set up would lead to increased costs. Or the computer would be stepping in continuously to correct their mistakes.
*stop sniggering at the back
Biting the hand that feeds IT
