Nepal: the most dangerous airstrip in the world
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Video length: 4 minutes
20 Hours of Wednesday 5 April takes you to the most dangerous airstrip in the world, Lukla Airport in Nepal. There are no other ways to get to the mountains, so travelers and locals take risks.
As you prepare for the approach phase, a five-year pilot, you see only a small trail in the distance. The young woman is about to land at an airport known to be the most dangerous in the world. This is Lukla Airport (Nepal), at an altitude of 2800 meters in the heart of the Himalayas. The airstrip is one of the shortest on the planet. It is only 460 meters long and has a gradient of 12%. Taking off is also a challenge because at the end of the runway the runway throws itself into the void.
Seven tragic accidents
Since its inception in 1964, the airport has witnessed seven tragic accidents. The latest in 2019. Before take off, a cargo plane hits a helicopter. On the tarmac, travelers anxiously watch the planes. “It’s impressive to see that they managed to land on such a short runwaydeclares admiringly a young woman. On bad weather days, the airport remains closed. It is the Watchtower that decides each morning whether to open or not, according to the vision.
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