Nepal Plane Crash Puts Focus on Table-Top Runway Risk; India Has 5 Such Runways

Table-top runways are a distinct feature of certain airports, which are located on an elevated level compared to the surrounding terrain. These runways have a steep drop on one or more sides, leaving little room for error in case of an overshoot. In India, five airports have these table-top runways, including Shimla, Calicut, Mangalore, Lengpui, and Pakyong. Unfortunately, Kerala and Mangalore airports have experienced major crashes in the past, with significant loss of life.

One such incident occurred on May 22, 2010, when Air India Express Flight 812 from Dubai to Mangaluru crashed on landing, resulting in the loss of 158 passengers and six crew members. Another tragic event took place on August 7, 2020, when an Air India Express flight from Dubai to Kozhikode skidded off the table-top runway, claiming the lives of 19 passengers and both pilots. In light of such incidents, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation conducts periodic reviews of table-top airports to prioritize passenger safety. The objective is to prevent unforeseen accidents and explore measures to mitigate the challenges associated with landings at these airports.

Table-top runways are not unique to India, as Portugal’s Madeira airport and Nepal’s Tenzing-Hillary airport also have such runways and have experienced crashes in the past. In 1977, an Air Portugal flight overshot the runway at Madeira airport, resulting in 131 fatalities. Similarly, a cargo plane crashed at Tenzing-Hillary airport in Nepal in 2017, underscoring the risks associated with operations at these airports. The challenging topography surrounding airports with table-top runways adds to the complexity and risk of landings.

The Kathmandu airport, situated on a plateau surrounded by deep gorges and valleys, is considered one of the most risky airports for landing. This was tragically highlighted by a major crash in 1992, claiming the lives of 167 passengers aboard a Pakistan International Airlines plane. This morning, another disturbing incident occurred at Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu, where a Saurya Airlines flight skidded off the runway and burst into flames. This underscores the ongoing challenges and risks associated with operations at airports with table-top runways.