Originally Posted by
The Lev
When interviewed, the pilots stated that they thought Taxiway C was 28R (presumably for whatever reason they did not see the big red lit X but did see two lit "runways" and knew they were supposed to land on the right hand side one. If 28L had been open and lit as was 28R, they almost certainly would have lined up correctly - hence the runway closure was a contributing factor to the pilots' (mis)perception.
I guess I don't know the appropriate terminology. I imagined that a "contributing factor" would be something completely separate from pilot error. Bad weather, for example. Or some mechanical failure. Not failing to notice and appreciate the giant, blinking "X" on 28L.