Under 14 CFR 121, who is not authorized to land at a special airport?

The correct answer highlights that the pilot in command holds the ultimate responsibility for the safe operation of the aircraft, including decisions related to the landing at a special airport. Under 14 CFR 121, special airport designations often imply that there are unique operational considerations, such as limited runway length, challenging approaches, or other safety-related factors which typically require specific operational knowledge that may not be shared by all crew members.

The pilot in command is inherently authorized and trained to make the landing decision at these locations, ensuring all factors such as, visibility, aircraft performance, and weather conditions are adequately assessed. The second in command and flight engineer have support roles that do not encompass the full authority or responsibility that the pilot in command holds, especially in critical decision-making scenarios like landing at special airports.

Crew members, while integral to the operation of the flight, are typically not in a position to land the aircraft due to the flight's operational regulations and safety protocols, thus reinforcing the importance of the pilot in command's role in this context.