The aviation sector is arguably the most important sector around the world. This is due to the fact that the airport of any country is the first point of contact and can create a lot of impression about such country. As a result, most countries pay serious attention to their aviation sector. However, this article will focus on the most dangerous airport in the world.

For those who have used the airport, you will know that it is a regulated environment. And so much emphasis is on the safety of airport users. This is why airports are under the regulations of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). Well, despite ICAO regulations of Airports, there are still some extremely dangerous airports out there.

About The Most Dangerous Airport In The World


The most dangerous airport in the world is Tenzing – Hillary Airport also know as Lukla Airport. The airport is located in a small town known as Lukla in Khumbu, Solukhumbu district, eastern Nepal. A program titled Most Extreme Airports broadcast on the History Channel 2010, rated the facility as the most dangerous airport in the world.

According to the broadcast, it has been maintaining this status for over 20 years and still counting. Furthermore, the airport came to limelight because it is the starting point of climbing Mount Everest Base Camp. There are series of flights between Lukla and Kathmandu during the day when the weather is friendly.

Brief History of Lukla Airport
Lukla facility which is obviously the most dangerous airport in the world was built in 1964. The construction was under the supervision of Edmund Hillary. Also, he is a mountaineer and the first climber to reach mountain Everest summit. Initially, the decision was to build the facility on flat farmlands. However, the farmers refused to give up their farmland, as a result they build it on the current location. Thus, making it the most dangerous airport in the world.

It is a key entering and exit port for climbers of mountain Everest. The runaway is very short and is a mere 1,729 feet (527 metres) long, Heathrow’s northern runway measures more than seven times that at 12,802 ft (3,902 m).

Facilities Of The Most Dangerous Airport in The World
The runway is relatively small, accessible to only helicopters and small fixed wings aircraft. In other words, only aircraft like De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, Dornier Do 228, L-410 Turbolet and Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter with short take off and landing can use the airport.

The airport is not only for passengers but also cargo as building materials are transported to the town from the facilities.

Why Is It Dangerous?
Lukla airport is rated the most dangerous airport in the world because of the following;

The runway is very short and pilots will have to maintain short landing and take off at all time. The facility has no room for error as the runway is extremely short.
Also, the higher the altitude, the lower the air density, meaning the planes need to land at faster speeds and Lukla sits at 9,500 feet above sea level.
The landscape is very harsh, making it difficult for pilots to land.
However, due to the difficulties in landing at the Airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal sets high standards. So, only experienced pilots, who completed at least 100 short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) missions, have over one year of STOL experience in Nepal and completed ten missions into Lukla with a certified instructor pilot, are allowed to land at the airport.

Accidents and Incidents
Aircraft incidents and accidents occur frequently in Lukla Airport. Some of them are;

On May 27th 2017, Summit Air Flight 409 was performing a freight flight on a Let L-410 from Kathmandu to Lukla (Nepal) with three crew. The aircraft was on final approach to Lukla’s runway 06 at about 14:04L (08:19Z) with poor visibility when the it contacted a tree short of the runway.

Subsequently, it contacted ground about 3 meters/10 feet below the runway level. The aircraft slid down the slope before coming to a rest about 200 meters below the runway level. Sadly, the captain died on the spot while the first officer Shrijan Manandhar died in the hospital hours later.

However, third crew member received injuries and was evacuated to Kathmandu the following day after the weather had cleared.

Also, on the 26th of September 2013, an Air Dynasty helicopter (registration 9N-AEX) crashed. The accident occurred when rear rotor contacted the barbed wire used for fencing the airport. Fortunately, all three passengers and the pilot survived.

On 12 October 2010, a Sita Air Dornier Do 228 (registration 9N-AHB) lost braking control and struck the wall-end of the runway during landing. All passengers and crew escaped injury; but the nose of the aircraft had serious damage.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqgZvb37NX0

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