Nepal Plane Crash: What Makes 'Table-Top' Runways Risky? India Has 5 of Them

New Delhi: The devastating plane crash in Nepal, which left 18 people dead, has once again highlighted the dangers of table-top runways, known for their association with several major aviation mishaps worldwide. These runways, situated at elevated locations with steep drop-offs at both ends, pose substantial risks to aircraft operations. 

Commonly found in mountainous or confined areas, table-top runways present challenging conditions for pilots.

Table-Top Runways in India

India is home to five airports with table-top runways: Shimla, Calicut, Mangalore, Lengpui (Mizoram), and Pakyong (Sikkim). Among these, the airports in Kerala and Mangalore have experienced major crashes in the past. 

Air India Express Flight 812 Crash:

• Date: May 22, 2010
• Flight Path: Dubai to Mangalore
• Incident: The flight crashed while landing at Mangalore airport.
• Casualties: 158 passengers and six crew members were killed.  

Kozhikode Air India Express crash

• Date: August 7, 2020
• Incident: Air India Express flight from Dubai to Kozhikode
• Mission: Part of the Vande Bharat mission to repatriate Indian nationals stranded due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Location: Table-top runway at Kozhikode Airport
• Accident: The plane skidded off the runway and crashed below
• Casualties: 19 passengers and both pilots died
• Survivors: 169 passengers survived  

Risks of Table-Top Runways

Table-top runways pose several key dangers due to their unique design and location:

• Short Runway Length: The constrained runway length at table-top airports can make both takeoffs and landings more challenging, particularly for larger aircraft that need more space.
• Steep Approaches and Departures: The elevated terrain necessitates steep approach and departure angles, increasing the risk of accidents if not managed with precision.
• Weather Challenges: These runways are frequently situated in areas with unpredictable weather, including fog, rain, or strong winds, which can complicate landing and takeoff procedures.
• Limited Room for Error: The steep drop-offs at the ends of table-top runways provide little margin for error during landing and takeoff, demanding high levels of pilot accuracy.
• Emergency Response Difficulties: The elevated and often remote locations of table-top runways can complicate and delay emergency response efforts following an accident.

Frequent Air Crashes in Nepal

Nepal experiences approximately one flight disaster annually, reflecting a concerning trend over the past decade. The country witnessed its deadliest plane crash on January 16, 2023, in Pokhara, which claimed 72 lives. The recent crash in Kathmandu marks the 13th aviation disaster in Nepal over the last 12 years. A major factor contributing to the frequent accidents is inadequate aircraft maintenance and insufficient pilot training.  

Tribhuvan Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu - One of The Most Dangerous Airports In The World

Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu is considered one of the world's most hazardous airports due to its challenging geographic and operational conditions. Here are some reasons for its dangerous reputation:

Plateau Location: The airport is situated on a plateau surrounded by deep gorges and valleys, creating difficult terrain for aircraft operations.

Limited Runway Length: The runway's short length adds to the complexity of takeoffs and landings, particularly for larger aircraft.

Unpredictable Weather: The region is prone to sudden weather changes, including fog, rain, and strong winds, which can complicate flight operations.

Historical Incidents: The airport has been the site of several major accidents, including a significant crash in 1992 involving a Pakistan International Airlines flight, which claimed 167 lives.

What went wrong with Saurya Airline flight that killed 18

Eighteen people died when a Saurya Airlines plane crashed and caught fire during takeoff from Kathmandu. Among the deceased were 18 Nepali citizens and one Yemeni engineer, according to Saurya Airlines.

The aircraft, which had two crew members and 17 technicians on board, was en route to Nepal's newly opened Pokhara airport for routine maintenance. The airport, which began operations in January, is equipped with aircraft maintenance hangars.  "Only the captain was rescued alive and is receiving treatment at a hospital," said Tej Bahadur Poudyal, the spokesman for Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport.  

"Shortly after takeoff ... the aircraft veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway," the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said in a statement.

Speaking to reporters after the crash, an eye-witness, Aadesh Lama said "I was working here at my garage in the morning and then I heard a loud sound. We thought a tyre burst but we came to know that a plane had crashed. It had knocked a container, if it wasn't the container then it surely would have slid down and hit the residential area. The container saved us. It struck the container and came to the ground and got engulfed by fire."

Another eye-witness, Krishna Bahadur Thapa stated "I heard a loud bang, about three to four of us were here. We first assumed it to be a vehicle accident but it turned out to be an aircraft that had crashed. The plane slid down and stopped, at first there was the sound, then after the smoke billowed and then it was engulfed by fire. I rushed near to the site where the plane crashed and there again was an explosion."

A Saurya Airlines official said the plane was a 50-seater CRJ-200 aircraft with the registration 9N-AME.