Heartbreaking Nepal Plane Crash Mirrors 2020 Air India Express Tragedy: Spotlight on Perilous Table-Top Runways
Nepal Plane Crash Highlights Dangers of Table-Top Runways
The tragic Saurya Airlines plane crash in Nepal, which claimed 18 lives, has spotlighted the inherent dangers of table-top runways once again. The passenger plane crashed and caught fire while taking off from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, as confirmed by officials. Reports from The Kathmandu Post indicate the accident occurred when one of the aircraft’s wings clipped the ground during take-off.
Tribhuvan International Airport, located on a plateau encircled by deep valleys and gorges, is globally recognized for its challenging table-top runway configuration. Such runways are constructed by leveling mountain peaks or carving hillsides to create a plateau-like surface, often leading to numerous fatal accidents.
One notable incident involving a table-top runway was the 1977 crash of Air Portugal Flight 425 at Madeira Airport in Portugal, which resulted in 131 deaths.
Table-top runways pose significant risks due to optical illusions created by the alignment of the runway with the horizon and the surrounding landscape. These illusions can obscure the drop-off edges, complicating landing and take-off maneuvers for pilots.
A similar incident occurred in India on 7 August 2020, when Air India Express Flight 1344 crashed at Kozhikode International Airport during its mission under the Vande Bharat initiative to repatriate Indian nationals stranded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plane, en route from Dubai, faced severe weather, forcing the crew to abort two landing attempts due to heavy rain and tailwind. On the third attempt, it skidded off the end of the table-top runway, killing 19 passengers and both pilots, though 169 people survived with injuries.
India has five airports with table-top runways: Shimla, Calicut, Mangalore, Lengpui (Mizoram), and Pakyong (Sikkim). The airports in Kerala and Mangalore have experienced major crashes, including the 2010 Air India Express Flight 812 incident, where 158 people perished during a landing attempt in Mangaluru.
This series of tragic events underscores the inherent challenges and risks associated with operating flights on table-top runways, urging for continued scrutiny and enhanced safety measures.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/world/nepal-plane-crash-echoes-2020-kozhikode-air-india-express-crash-tragedy-pulls-focus-on-dangers-of-table-top-runways-11721815378838.html
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