Most Dangerous Airports - Top 10 Dangerous Landings, Takeoffs

 

Most Dangerous Airports - Top 10 Dangerous Landings, Takeoffs

10.  San Diego Airport - Lindbergh Field

This airline claims the worst aviation accident in the history of California.  In 1978, Pacific Southwest Airlines flight 182 collided with a student driven Cessna 172 in mid air causing both plains to plummet to the ground and killing 144 people including some people that were on the ground.  The reason that San Diego's Lindbergh Field makes it in at our number 10 spot of most dangerous airports is because of the unusually high amount of air traffic that this airport gets each day.  Pilots also complain about the proximity of a large parking garage that sits just 200 yards from the entrance to the runway.

9.  Madeira Airport - Portugal, Spain

In at number nine most dangerous airports is Madeira Airport in Portugal.  In 1977 a 727 overshot the tiny 5000 foot runway at Madeira and fell 130 feet down onto a beach and burst into flames causing 131 fatalities.  Since 1977 Madeira has extended their runway to 9000 feet, however in order to do this they had to extend each end of the runway directly over the ocean.  Pilots know that if they don't hit their mark on the runway they will plunge into the ocean from either direction.
 

8.  Eagle County Airport in Vail, Colorado

Located in a valley to maximize wind challenges, Eagle County Airport is a danger due to surrounding mountains, snow, and most curiously the altitude.  Airplanes lose power in higher altitudes, which is fine when they have reached cruising speed at 30,000 feet but it's bad when they need sudden bursts of power to maneuver a safe landing.  Takeoff is the most challenging for pilots as there is an extremely precise takeoff pattern which navigates them precariously through the mountains.

7.  Courcheval Airport, France

This airport made our top 10 most dangerous airport list because it is basically a giant ski slope.  Only small planes land here so it doesn't make the news every time there's an accident, but there are plenty.  There are some incredible video captures of takeoffs and landings from Courcheval Airport.

6.  Kai Tak Airport Hong Kong

Prior to 1998 when Hong Kong opened their new airport, Kai Tak was a traditionally dangerous airport.  Famous for it's flybys of downtown Hong Kong at 100 feet or less, the buildings around the airport made it impossible for planes to level their wings to land until they got under 300 feet.  There are several incredible photos of giant planes weaving in and out of buildings in downtown Hong Kong while attempting to land at Kai Tak.  In 1993 a 747 skidded across the runway at Kai Tak and landed in a harbour.  While this was a very highly publicized event, there were fortunately no fatalities.

 
5.  Gibralter International Airport
Gibralter airport makes our top 10 most dangerous airports mainly because there is a four lane highway that passes right through the middle of the runway!  There is a stoplight, similar to one you would see at a railroad crossing that shuts down the highway whenever a plane takes off or lands.  This can stop traffic for up to 30 minutes.  The next challenge is the landing.  The rock of Gibralter creates an extremely complex wind circle that can throw the planes around quite a bit when they reach about 300 feet.  The swirling winds are very unpredictable and cause pilots to be on their "A" game every landing at Gibralter.

4.  Princess Julianna Airport at St. Maartin

The airport at St. Maartin is almost like a tourist attraction.  Planes coming in for a landing fly directly over the heads of beach-goers who frequent a local bar known for it's airplane flyovers.  The local beach bar actually puts up a chalkboard sign listing all of the landings so that the customers can get in good position for the planes to fly directly over their heads!  There is also a local custom called "riding the fence" where people grab onto a fence behind the area where the jets take off, wait for the jets to kick into high and then HOLD ON! as the jets propel winds of up to 70 miles per hour.  Pilots of jets have reported seeing people being thrown as far as fifty feet from the fence.  So far no one has been hurt, and it remains a great tourist attraction.

3. Gustaf III Airport - St. Barts

For starters, pilots have to have a special license to even land at this airport!  A short, 12 minute flight from St. Maartin, this 1200 foot runway only hosts planes holding 30 people or less.  There is a pretty cool video of a plane missing the runway and going into the ocean (no one was hurt) but it shows why this is one of the most dangerous airports in the world.

2.  Toncontín International Airport

Toncontin Airport near Honduras is one of the most dangerous airports in the world and was the host to the country's worst aviation disaster.  In 1989, Tan-Sahsa flight 414, a Boeing 727, failed to follow the regimented step-down proceedures while making their descent and smashed into a mountain killing 127 of the 146 passenger on board.  There are extremely precise step down manuevers that are to be followed when landing at Toncontin.  There are several landmarks including a highway, a house with a pool, and most importantly there are two large white arrows on the runway itself.  Pilots must land the plane between the two large arrows or they will go off the end of the runway.  Planes that miss the mark have to re-elevate and come around and try again until they hit the mark.

1.  Lukla Airport - Nepal

Topping our list of most dangerous airports is Lukla Airport in Nepal.  There have been too many crashes at this airport to list.  Lukla has all of the danger factors; mountains, fog, extreme weather conditions, low visability, and if that isn't enough - you only have one chance to land.  Due to the short runway and the mountains immediately at the end of the runway, pilots do not have the option of overshooting the runway and making a second attempt at landing.  Once the initial descent is made to land, you're landing whether you like it or not.  Takeoff is also a challenge due to the ominous mountains at the end of the runway.  Pilots must gain immediate altitude to shoot over the mountains before crashing into the side of them.  The airport is a source to a local village that is extremely primative and relys on the supplies delivered by plane.  When a plane is going to attempt a landing, a siren is sounded warning the locals to clear the runway.

Missouri's "Adult Entertainment" Law Goes In Effect Today

Missouri's "Adult Entertainment" Law Goes In Effect Today

Missouri Republicans are having their way with strippers in the state. This morning at Midnight the new regulations regarding adult businesses in the state of Missouri went into effect. Under the new law, strip clubs must close at midnight, cannot serve alcohol, no full nudity, and touching of semi-nude dancers is prohibited. Adult businesses also cannot be located closer than 1000 feet from schools, libraries, parks, Churches, or daycare centers (this is the only part of the law that makes any sense). Bible thumping geek and Lee's Summit's own Senator Matt Bartle sponsored the bill.

I haven't been to a strip club in years, but this sure sounds like it will take all the fun out of it! I can't for the life of me figure out why this is an important enough issue to spend legislative time on. When will lawmakers realize they cannot legislate morality, and men will want to look at naked chicks, anytime, anywhere. Many of these businesses undoubtedly will shut down (which I believe is Bartle's intention), putting people out of work. That's a great idea in this economy. Now, would I want my daughter to be a stripper? No, but I also wouldn't want her to be a politician.

The legal fight likely will not be over for quite a while, but for now - looky, but no touchy. The "crime" is a misdemeanor and punishable by up to $500 and 90 days in jail. Maybe Bartle can get a member of his congregation a job enforcing this new law.

NFL's Move to an 18 Game Schedule Unfair to Players

By now, most if not all NFL fans have heard of the possible lockout looming for the 2011-2012 season. With the owners likely to force a lockout to gain a more favorable contract, it seems rediculous that they would then force their players to play more games that matter.

Personally, I would love to see the NFL's regular season extend to 18 games. I am a diehard football fan and the more games that matter, the better. Four preseason games seems a bit too much, especially considering that the majority of these games feature backups and players most fans will never see during the regular season. Two more regular season games shortens an already-too-long preseason, will generate more revenue and give me two more Sundays of NFL.

Only problem is, this new format pushed by the owners is hyprocritical given their stance on the labor dispute. To put it simply, the owners want players to make less money and play more regular season games. I know most NFL players live comfortably, but asking a player to risk injury two more times in the regular season with lessl long-term guarantees is unfair.

Comments?

Three Trails Crossing Bridge Reopens This Morning

Three Trails Crossing Bridge Reopens This Morning

The Three Trails Crossing Ramp repair has been completed. On July 17th, the approach to a bridge connecting I-470 west to I-435 West collapsed. The Collapse was caused by excessive rain that deteriorated the soil beneath the roadway. This left a huge gap of collapsed road leading to the bridge. Thankfully there were no accidents or injuries caused.

For the last several weeks, drivers from the southern suburbs in Missouri have been subjected to a complicated series of detours that have added many minutes to morning commutes. Engineers and geologists have been studying the collapse and have no definitive answers about a cause.

A 225 foot long bridge extensin was constructed to connect the undamaged roadway to the existing collector bridge to I-435. The project was completed 19 days early and cost 5.2 Million dollars. That figure includes a bonus for finishing early. Maybe the Kansas City Water Department should study this project to improve their efficiency! The phrase "completed early" worries me a little since I have to travel over the repair daily.

Colorado Should Leave the Big 12 ASAP

New reports indicate that Colorado is planning on staying in the Big 12 until the 2012 season, despite Nebraska's plans to leave after this upcomming season. The Buffalos indicated that financial reasons are behind the school's decision to stay put for a few seasons.

Only problem is, Colorado still plans on leaving the Big 12 for the Pac 10 once it gets its financial situation dealt with. The same school that can't afford to fire lame-duck coach Dan Hawkins because the buy-out is too high. My question is: why should the Big 12 let Colorado hang around? Why should it bail out a school who is leaving for "greener" pastures in the Pac 10. Especially a team that constantly finishes at the bottom of the league in the revenue sports.

Think about it this way. If you had a girlfriend who decided to leave you for another man, would you let her stay in your house until her boyfriend was available? This is what Colorado wants to do. Stay in the Big 12 until it is financially stable, then jump to the Pac 10. The Big 12 doesn't owe Colorado anything. Another issue is scheduling; when Nebraska leaves the Big 12 will be at 11 teams. With ten teams, the league can have an even schedule in football and basketball. The Big 12 shouldn't complicate its schedule and prolong the inevitable by letting Colorado hang around an extra year.

The Buffs decided to leave the Big 12 for another conference. The Big 12 should move on and carry on without Colorado after this upcomming season, whether the Buffalos want to or not.

Comments?