So, I just checked for TNCM, the real code for SXM and there are no precision instrument approaches for SXM. The VOR, the little round radio station on the ground near the runway and the casino is called PJM. In this case they would shoot the VOR approach to PJM or a GPS approach, which doesn't have a true ground generated glideslope to the runway.

Often private instrument pilots will descend through the clouds down to the MDA, minimum descent altitude, hoping to see the ground and some cue of the runway and then they limp it in from there. If they don't see runway they are obligated to declare a missed approach and go around.

If the weather was very poor as ruralcarrier said, then they may of been on the edge of very good job.

Many airaft today can generate an artificial glideslope from gps with a gps augmentation system called (WAAS). Have no idea if Westjet has it onboard. If they did, it didn't work well enough in that weather if it was turbulent.

I'm seeing some instrument proficiency simulator time for the crew. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />