Deadly Landings: Counting Crashes At Lukla Airport

Lukla Airport, also known as Tenzing-Hilary Airport, is considered the most dangerous airport in the world. Located in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal, it is the gateway to Mount Everest and is characterised by its high elevation, short runway, surrounding mountains, and thin air. These factors, combined with unpredictable weather conditions, have resulted in numerous accidents and fatal crashes over the years. So, how many crashes have there been at Lukla Airport?

The 2005 Gorkha Airlines crash that killed 18 people

Lukla Airport, also known as Tenzing-Hilary Airport, is considered the most dangerous airport in the world. The airport is located in the town of Lukla, in Khumbu Pasanglhamu, Solukhumbu District, in Province No. 1 in Nepal. It is renowned for its high elevation, short runway, surrounding mountains, and thin air, which pose significant challenges to pilots, especially during adverse weather conditions.

On April 30, 2005, a tragic incident occurred at Lukla Airport involving a Gorkha Airlines aircraft. The Dornier Do 228, a small twin-turboprop plane, was operating a domestic route from Kathmandu to Lukla, Nepal. As the plane approached for landing, it encountered challenging terrain and unfavourable weather conditions. Lukla Airport is known for its difficult approach and short, sloped runway, which can be extremely demanding for pilots. Unfortunately, the Gorkha Airlines flight crashed during its landing attempt, resulting in the deaths of all 18 people on board, including passengers and crew members.

This accident triggered an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The inquiry focused on various factors, including weather conditions, potential pilot error, technical issues, and the inherent challenges presented by the airport's location and terrain. The specific details of the investigation's findings may be available in official aviation safety reports or through inquiries with the relevant authorities in Nepal.

The 2005 Gorkha Airlines crash highlighted the dangers posed by Lukla Airport's geography, weather conditions, and runway characteristics. It serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with aviation in such a demanding environment and underscores the importance of constant vigilance and adherence to safety protocols.

Lukla Airport's reputation as the most dangerous airport in the world is not without merit, and the 2005 Gorkha Airlines crash that claimed 18 lives is a somber testament to the challenges and risks inherent to this remote and treacherous aviation hub.

The 2008 Yeti Airlines crash that killed 18 people

On October 8, 2008, Yeti Airlines Flight 103 crashed while attempting to land at Lukla Airport, killing 18 people and injuring several others. The flight originated from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, and was a domestic flight bound for Lukla. The aircraft involved in the crash was a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter operated by Yeti Airlines, with 19 passengers and crew members on board. As the aircraft approached Lukla Airport, it encountered poor weather conditions, including fog and low visibility, which made the landing attempt extremely challenging. Lukla Airport's geographical location, with its short, sloped runway surrounded by mountainous terrain, further exacerbated the difficulties.

During the landing attempt, the pilot of Flight 103 lost visual contact due to the heavy fog and poor weather conditions. Despite this, the pilot attempted a visual approach as there were no Instrument Landing Systems installed at Lukla Airport at the time. Unfortunately, the aircraft came in too low and too far to the left, causing it to crash short of the runway. The landing gear caught in a perimeter fence on the airport grounds, leading to a devastating accident.

Out of the 19 people on board, only the captain of the aircraft survived. He was dragged out of the wreckage and flown to Kathmandu for emergency treatment. Fourteen of the deceased were reported to be tourists, with twelve German and two Australian nationals among the victims. The crash highlighted the safety challenges posed by Lukla Airport's geographical conditions and the impact of adverse weather on flight operations. It also raised questions about the adequacy of safety measures and the need for improved procedures to mitigate risks during landings and takeoffs.

In the aftermath of the crash, a commission was formed to investigate the accident, and a final report was published two months later. The report attributed the crash to several factors, including the flight crew's misinterpretation of the weather conditions and their expectation of a cloud patch on the final approach. Contributing factors included deviations from standard operating procedures, inadequate oversight by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and Yeti Airlines, and the airline's prioritization of economics over safety, resulting in improper crew training.

The tragedy led to enhanced safety regulations at Lukla Airport, with restrictions imposed on landings during unfavourable weather conditions. A plaque was erected near the crash site, and the local community continues to commemorate the victims each year on October 8.

The 2010 Sita Air crash that injured 19 people

Lukla Airport, also known as Tenzing-Hilary Airport, is considered the most dangerous airport in the world. It is the base airport for trekkers climbing Mount Everest. The airport is located in the town of Lukla, in Khumbu Pasanglhamu, Solukhumbu District, in Province No. 1 in Nepal. The airport sits at a high altitude of 2,859 meters above sea level and is surrounded by 7,000-meter-high peaks. Due to its high elevation, short runway, surrounding mountains, and thin air, Lukla Airport poses significant challenges for aircraft flying in and out.

On October 12, 2010, a Sita Air plane was involved in an accident at Lukla Airport. The plane, a Dornier Do 228-101 passenger aircraft, was operating a domestic flight within Nepal. During the takeoff procedure, the aircraft encountered difficulties, resulting in an incident that injured all 19 passengers and crew members on board. This crash highlighted the challenges posed by Lukla Airport's geography, weather conditions, and the short, sloped runway for pilots and aircraft operations.

The Sita Air flight was attempting to take off from Lukla's short and sloped runway, which is surrounded by mountainous terrain. The specific details about the aircraft's type and flight number may require further investigation. However, it is known that during the takeoff procedure, the aircraft encountered issues that led to an incident where all 19 passengers and crew members on board were injured.

The nature of the incident and the exact cause of the difficulties faced during takeoff are not publicly available. However, factors such as technical issues, weather conditions, or other operational aspects could have contributed to the accident. Unfortunately, comprehensive information regarding the specifics of this incident might not be widely accessible.

Aviation safety authorities likely conducted an investigation into this event to determine the causes and contributing factors. The investigation's findings would provide detailed insights into the difficulties during takeoff and the resulting injuries. Access to the official investigation report or relevant authorities could offer a more comprehensive understanding of this particular incident at Lukla Airport in 2010.

The 2019 Summit Air collision that killed 3 people

On 14 April 2019, a Summit Air Let L-410UVP-E20, registration 9N-AMH, crashed at Lukla Airport, killing three people. The aircraft was owned and operated by Summit Air Pvt. Ltd. and was performing a flight from Lukla to Ramechhap, Nepal.

Around 03:22 local time, during the take-off roll from runway 24, the aircraft veered to the right and exited the runway. It first collided with a Manang Air helicopter, registration 9N-ALC, before colliding with a Shree Airlines helicopter, registration 9N-ALK, just outside the inner perimeter fence. The aircraft then came to a stop.

The probable cause of the accident was the aircraft's veering to the right during the initial take-off roll, resulting from asymmetric power due to the abrupt shifting of the right power lever rearwards. The less experienced co-pilot failed to immediately assess and act upon the abrupt shifting of the power lever, causing a delay for the Pilot in Command (PIC) to take control and initiate a correction. The PIC's attempted corrections and subsequent application of brakes further contributed to the veering.

The co-pilot and one security personnel on the ground were killed instantly. Another security officer succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital. The PIC and cabin crew of the Summit Air flight survived, while the captain of the Manang Air helicopter was rescued and sustained a broken tailbone. The crew of the Shree Airlines helicopter escaped without sustaining major injuries.

The 1973 Royal Nepal Airlines crash landing

Lukla Airport, also known as Tenzing-Hilary Airport, is considered the most dangerous airport in the world. The airport is the gateway to Mount Everest, and its high altitude, short runway, surrounding mountains, and thin air make it extremely challenging for aircraft operations.

On October 15, 1973, eleven years after the airport was built, a Royal Nepal Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 aircraft crashed and was damaged beyond repair. This incident marked the first in a series of deadly crashes associated with Lukla Airport. Fortunately, the three crew members and three passengers on board were unhurt, and there were no fatalities.

The Royal Nepal Airlines flight was approaching Lukla Airport, which is surrounded by 7,000-meter-high peaks, when the crash occurred. The high altitude and challenging terrain present significant obstacles for aircraft approaching and departing the airport. The short runway, which is just over 1,700 feet long, further adds to the difficulty of operating at this airport.

The crash of the Royal Nepal Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 was a pivotal moment in the history of Lukla Airport. Despite there being no casualties, it highlighted the inherent dangers and challenges of operating at this remote and treacherous airport. This incident was a precursor to several other deadly crashes that have occurred at Lukla and the surrounding areas over the years, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most dangerous airports in the world.

While the 1973 crash did not result in any injuries or fatalities, it served as a stark reminder of the risks associated with aviation in such a demanding environment. It also underscored the need for enhanced safety measures, improved navigation systems, and more stringent weather criteria for flight operations at Lukla Airport.

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