Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
This occurred on a midnight shift during which I was working the airspace that is designated to Clarksburg Approach during the day. A CRJ-200 was an IFR flight from ZZZ to CKB. He arrived from the West and requested vectors for the ILS Runway 21 at CKB. I vectored him to the northwest of CKB; descended him to 3;800 feet which is the minimum for the ILS; and turned him on a 110 heading to set up for a turn to intercept the CKB ILS 21 final approach course. At that time he reported; 'We have the airport in sight.' I said; 'CRJ-200; Roger; 18 miles from Clarksburg; cleared visual approach Clarksburg airport.' I then informed him he could switch to advisory and asked for his IFR cancellation on my frequency or on the ground through Flight Service. He quickly descended to 2;300 feet which I thought was a little low for that early in the approach and slowed down to a very low approach speed. If he had been on the ILS; I would have questioned his quick descent; but since it was a visual approach I did not question him. About 9 miles from CKB; I saw the CRJ-200 climb back up to 3;200 feet. He then called back on the frequency and informed me that he had set up to land at the wrong airport but did have CKB in sight at that time. I informed him he was 8 miles from CKB and he acknowledged me. The airport he was set up to land at was 4G7. The 4G7 airport is about 9 miles northeast of CKB; almost exactly underneath the localizer; with a similar runway orientation. Within the past 2 years another air carrier accidentally landed at 4G7; but was a small enough aircraft to deal with its short runway. I do not know what kind of measures can be taken to ensure these airports are not mistaken for each other. I do know if the CRJ-200 had tried to land at 4G7 the runway length would not have been sufficient for that aircraft.
ZOB Controller described a confused event when an air carrier was cleared for a visual approach to CKB; but started to line up with 4G7; the reporter noted an actual wrong airport landing occurred in the recent past.