The tragic Saurya Airlines plane crash in Nepal, claiming the lives of 18 individuals, has once again brought to the forefront the inherent dangers posed by table-top runways. The passenger plane, taking off from Kathmandu airport on Wednesday, crashed and caught fire, sparking concerns about the challenges these runways present for pilots during landing and take-off.
According to reports, the crash occurred when one of the plane’s wings clipped the ground during take-off at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal’s capital. This airport, situated atop a plateau surrounded by deep gorges and valleys, is renowned as one of the world’s most challenging airports due to its table-top configuration.
Table-top runways, constructed by flattening mountain peaks or carving into hillsides to create a plateau-like surface, have been implicated in numerous fatal aircraft accidents. These runways present a unique set of challenges for pilots, primarily due to the optical illusion they create. The way the runway lines up with the horizon and the edge of the mountain peak or plateau can make it incredibly difficult for pilots to accurately judge their aircraft’s position during landing or take-off, leading to miscalculations and potential accidents.
The 1977 tragedy of Air Portugal Flight 425, which overshot and crashed onto a beach, claiming 131 lives, is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with table-top runways. This incident, which occurred at Madeira Airport in Portugal, another airport known for its table-top runway, underscored the need for heightened safety measures and improved pilot training in managing the unique challenges posed by these runway configurations.
The 2020 Kozhikode Air India Express crash in India serves as another tragic example of the devastating consequences that can result from table-top runways. On August 7, 2020, Air India Express Flight 1344, part of the Vande Bharat initiative bringing back Indian nationals stranded due to the Covid-19 pandemic, encountered severe weather conditions during its landing approach at Calicut International Airport. The flight from Dubai to Kozhikode was forced to abort two landing attempts due to heavy rain and tailwind. On its third attempt, the aircraft touched down on the table-top runway but skidded off the end, sliding down a slope. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of 19 passengers and both pilots. While 169 on board survived, many sustained injuries, highlighting the significant risks associated with these runway configurations.
India is home to five airports with table-top runways: Shimla, Calicut, Mangalore, Lengpui (Mizoram) and Pakyong (Sikkim). Of these, the airports in Kerala and Mangalore have witnessed major crashes in the past. On May 22, 2010, Air India Express Flight 812 from Dubai to Mangaluru crashed on landing, claiming the lives of 158 passengers, including six crew members.
The recent crash in Nepal serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers posed by table-top runways and underscores the urgent need for greater safety measures and awareness surrounding these challenging runway configurations. With the increasing prevalence of such airports worldwide, it is imperative that aviation authorities, pilots, and airlines collaborate to develop and implement comprehensive safety protocols to mitigate the risks associated with table-top runways and ensure the safety of passengers and crew members.
