WASHINGTON, D.C. : Pilot Errors Cited in Croatia Jet Crash

The pilots of the Air Force passenger jet that crashed in Croatia two months ago, killing Commerce Secretary Ronald H. Brown and 34 others, set a wrong course after crossing a navigational radio beacon while preparing to land and also failed to tune into a key second beacon on the ground, according to Pentagon officials. Evidence gathered by investigators also shows the plane was flying too fast as it crossed the first beacon about 12 miles from the Dubrovnik airfield. At that point, the pilots neglected to lower the aircraft’s landing gear and flaps to help reduce airspeed and allow the crew to focus on other pre-landing tasks.