Hello Infinite Flight Community.
I was having a look through the community and have noticed that all of the most dangerous airport topics are closed.
Anyways Lets make a new fresh Most Dangerous Airports Topic.
I’ll start off with one and then we can build this up.
Most Dangerous Airports
VNLK Lukla this Airport as a cliff on one side of the runway and a mountain on the other
LFLJ, Courchevel Airport, the runway is only 1762 feet long, and the runway grade is 18.6 %. There is also no go around procedure because of the surrounding terrain.
KSAN, KASE, and KEGE are also a dangerous airport. From mountainous terrain and a steep approach to a high parking garage and short runway, these airports are some of the dangerous in the world
VNKT = Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport).
Home to a very mountainous region (Himalaya) and close to the infamous Lukla Airport.
VNKT is also known for it’s low visibility and many accidents it has had over the decades its been in operation, mostly due to low visibility, bad weather such as windy conditions and dangerous terrain.
Gustaf III Airport (TFFJ) -
This airport, located on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthelemy (just south of Saint Martin) has a difficult approach coming from the east and west. When approaching runway 10, flights are required to steeply descend just seconds before touchdown due to a hill right in front of the runway. The planes create danger for not only themselves, but also cars and people on the aforementioned hill. When approaching from runway 28, pilots must visually approach the runway by circling the island, eventually making a sharp left turn for a very short final approach. There have been recorded accidents at the airport.
Paro Airport (VQPR) -
Paro is nested in the Himalayas, and is surrounded by mountains from every side. Both approches from both sides of its runway are difficult, however the runway 15 approach is widely considered to be more difficult. The approach to this runway required aircraft to closely follow the left mountain side, until they reach a valley. Pilot then must complete a sharp 180 degree turn, while descending at the same time. Once they have done that, they must rapidly descend once again, and make a sharp S turn, following a river, before touching down on the airport’s relatively short runway. This airport is a thriller.
Tegucigalpa/Toncontin International Airport (MHTG) -
This airport has a series of approaches, the most infamous of which is the runway 02 approach. Some pilots who have successfully completed this tough approach have named it “the toilet bowl approach,” due to it’s circular path. It’s harder than it looks. Pilots must fly around a large mountain adjacent to the airport, conduction small, precise descents on their way. Aircraft must then fly a visual approach after flying half way around the mountain, and must sharply turn left, and rapidly descend. The approach was once even more difficult when a hill was right in front of the runway, but the city of Toncontin knocked it down around 2004 (if I recall correctly).
PHNL = (Honolulu) Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Although not listed as one the most dangerous, and neither is it directly considered to be one, there are still a mountain chain to the east of the airport and when departing to the east, which is quite normal due to wind circumstances, a steep climb or turn to either side is your alternative out of the challenge this paradise has to offer.