Expert discusses major mid-air mistake

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two Northwest Airlines pilots didn't know they had overshot their landing by 150 miles, despite efforts by ground control and a flight attendant to call them.

"I just noticed when it was 8 o'clock and our flight landed and we didn't hear anything," said a Northwest Flight 188 passenger.

Flight 188 was supposed to land in Minneapolis, but the plane passed over the city, and didn't turn around until it reached Wisconsin.

Passengers had no idea what was happening.

"I can't believe that. It seems impossible," said another Northwest passenger.

Air traffic controllers tell investigators they hadn't heard from the flight, for over an hour.

But at 9:14 p.m. eastern time, air traffic controllers are able to connect with the crew.

The pilot is ordered to perform a series of unnecessary maneuvers to make sure he's in control of the aircraft, not hijackers.

10:02 p.m, the plane finally lands safely in Minneapolis.

"There's more than just the pilot. There's a copilot. What about the crew? The crew wasn't aware of any of this. It's outrageous," said a Northwest passenger.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, "The crew stated they were in a heated discussion over airline policy and they lost situational awareness."

But some air safety experts suspect that's not the whole story.

"Well it would have to be a heck of a discussion, and I would think there would have to be some confirming evidence of that somewhere," said Peter Goelz, the former NTSB Managing Director.

The evidence is not likely to be on the cockpit voice recorder, since the equipment on board flight 188 only saves the last 30 minutes worth of conversations between the pilots.

The two pilots remain grounded until authorities finish investigating.

News 4 was joined by News 4 Aviation Analyst Bob Miller, for some more insight on this incredible story.

Watch the video to see Miller's interview.

>>See full interview with Bob Miller here.