Have you ever mistaken a taxiway for a runway? Even the guys that drive the big iron can make that mistake – especially at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In the last four years eight airline crews have mistaken Taxiway Tango, which measures 9,500 feet x 100 feet and runs parallel to the runways, for a runway. Three of the crews landed on the taxiway. There are big yellow Xs on the taxiway, but apparently those can be difficult to see. All the mistakes have occurred during visual approaches.
The NTSB has recommended that a serpentine line be painted the length of the taxiway to help pilots avoid making the same mistake. A task force was recently formed to study the issue.