As millions of tourists continue to flock to airports, do you know where the airstrip considered the most dangerous in the world by pilots is located?
If you’re afraid of flying, move on! Turbulence, short runway, reduced visibility… it is sometimes very difficult for airline pilots to land their plane without incident. And when they have to transport passengers to this destination in the world, we imagine that they are not very happy.
And for good reason: since 1964, no less than 7 fatal accidents have occurred on the landing strip of this small airport. In April 2019, a plane, during takeoff, deviated from its trajectory and struck two helicopters. In this accident, 3 people died. Two years earlier, another plane failed to land. For what ? He had crashed by hitting a tree just before landing. And the weather is also at risk. In 2008, 18 people died when the plane hit the side of the runway and caught fire while trying to land in heavy fog. The pilot was the only survivor…
The runway of this airport is located at an altitude of 2,845 meters and is just under 500 meters long and 20 meters wide. And, what’s more, the track in question is inclined at 12%. Behind the track, there is a huge chasm of 700 meters while in front, there is a stone wall, then the mountain. When you are a pilot, you must not panic and be very precise: “It’s difficult to land here for several reasons. First, the weather changes all the time, and then we’re high, the engine has to be in good condition. It’s a challenge, but it’s also very exciting”, explained pilot Bipashi Tara Tuladhar on France 2.
Only small planes are accessible at this location. “Because of the high mountains and steep valley, the planes have very little space to maneuver (…) it represents a challenge, even for the most skilled pilots,” says the British government’s travel advice website. But which airport is it? That of Tenzing-Hillary, in Lukla, Nepal. It is used in particular by travelers who want to climb the top of Everest.
