Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:02,760 --> 00:00:06,360
American 329. Traffic 7 mile final.
737 runway. 27 position hold.
2
00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,680
PILOT: Position hold
27 American 329.
3
00:00:11,960 --> 00:00:14,400
NARRATOR: What makes
a dangerous airport?
4
00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:17,200
You're really looking at an airport
that brings together
5
00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:19,560
a number of factors in one place.
6
00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:25,080
MAN: The first thing is the runway.
7
00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:27,040
Is it long enough?
8
00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:29,280
If it's a very short runway,
you've got a problem.
9
00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:31,840
Having been in the front end
of a 747,
10
00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:33,600
I'm not sure that I would go
stand out there.
11
00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:36,760
I think they're nuts,
but that's just my personal opinion.
12
00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:41,560
It was like being at the top
of a roller-coaster and going down.
13
00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:47,400
You will have extreme winds
14
00:00:47,480 --> 00:00:50,800
that are caused by turbulence
off the top of mountains
15
00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:54,480
that will cause colossal wind shears
associated with the approaches.
16
00:00:57,320 --> 00:00:59,960
And when these conditions
aren't navigated properly,
17
00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:02,160
they can be catastrophic.
18
00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:09,400
ANNOUNCER: These are the world's
10 most extreme airports.
19
00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:18,400
Three million people around the world
20
00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:21,400
commute on commercial aircraft
every day.
21
00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:23,360
Passengers are unaware
that some of the airports
22
00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:27,480
they are departing from or arriving
at are considered to be extreme.
23
00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:32,320
The perils are many.
24
00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,480
Short runways, high altitude,
unpredictable weather,
25
00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:39,840
difficult terrain,
take-off and approach procedures
26
00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:44,040
and in the worst cases,
a combination of all these dangers.
27
00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:52,240
Coming in at number 10...
28
00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:59,240
At the tip of Southern California
29
00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:01,840
lies San Diego's
Lindbergh Field Airport.
30
00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:09,440
San Diego perfectly illustrates the
principle of air traffic congestion.
31
00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:13,280
The skies directly above the city
are typically filled with planes.
32
00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:18,920
At peak traffic, there are 55 flights
coming and going every hour.
33
00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:22,640
This airport is extreme.
34
00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:25,040
Not just based on the volume
of traffic,
35
00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:28,520
but also on its proximity
to the city's population centre.
36
00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:31,720
The situation
is made even more treacherous
37
00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:34,680
because San Diego
is the one-runway wonder.
38
00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:51,240
MAN: It is the busiest single-runway
commercial airport in this country,
39
00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:53,160
which I find extraordinary,
40
00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:55,400
because it's not
a true international airport.
41
00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:58,000
It really is a regional airport.
42
00:02:58,080 --> 00:03:01,040
We handle
a total of 550 flights a day,
43
00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:03,280
so that's a combination
of arrival and departure.
44
00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,360
So about 225 arrivals,
225 departures.
45
00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:13,960
Because Lindbergh's airspace is
always stretched to maximum capacity,
46
00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:17,440
it creates constant motion in the air
and on the ground.
47
00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:25,360
You've got aircraft wanting to
go in multiple directions
48
00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,920
but they have to share
the same piece of pavement.
49
00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:31,040
And so the air traffic controllers
have to be on their toes
50
00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:32,880
with monitoring what they can see
51
00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:36,200
and anticipating
where the arrivals are going
52
00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,320
and anticipating
when the departures are coming up.
53
00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:48,680
Air traffic controllers
weave an intricate choreography.
54
00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:50,840
But it hasn't been without tragedy.
55
00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:55,600
ALDRICH: In September, 1978,
56
00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:59,800
PSA Flight 182,
which originated in Sacramento,
57
00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:03,440
was making its approach
into Lindbergh Field.
58
00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,120
The commuter flight
had 128 passengers
59
00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:09,640
and 7 crew members onboard.
60
00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:14,360
The aeroplane had a midair collision
over North Park
61
00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:18,160
with a Cessna that was being flown
by a student at the time.
62
00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:24,160
I was standing out on
my apartment balcony with a friend,
63
00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:28,880
just having coffee, and the window
suddenly shook like an earthquake.
64
00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:33,200
And up in the sky,
what I saw was PSA.
65
00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:37,480
It was trailing flames
and smoke out of the wing.
66
00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:39,600
And then there was
just dead silence.
67
00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:45,800
A student pilot in a small Cessna
suddenly cut across the jet's path,
68
00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,480
causing both planes to collide.
69
00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,240
Then all of a sudden
this shockwave came up
70
00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,160
and the smoke and flames
began to roll up into the air.
71
00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:00,360
The scene was utter devastation.
72
00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:06,160
It was a sight
that can't even be imagined.
73
00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:13,040
Every tree had fragments of bodies
hanging from it.
74
00:05:15,840 --> 00:05:18,280
I got on the two-way radio
and I looked around me
75
00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:22,160
and I tried to describe it, but
I couldn't do this all in one gulp.
76
00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:27,720
What I said was, "There are signs
of fatalities around here."
77
00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:31,520
It was an understatement. It was
the best I could do at that time.
78
00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:38,200
Tragically, everyone on the aircraft
plus the two people in the Cessna
79
00:05:38,280 --> 00:05:40,160
and another seven people
on the ground
80
00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:42,040
were killed in the ensuing crash.
81
00:05:44,280 --> 00:05:49,480
In all, 144 people lost their lives
that September morning.
82
00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:54,640
But the city of San Diego had a deep
personal connection to the disaster.
83
00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:58,440
Pacific Southwest Airlines
was based at Lindbergh.
84
00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,040
MAN: We'd never had
an accident before
85
00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:04,720
so it was very traumatic to us.
86
00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:06,840
It was very traumatic
to the community.
87
00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:09,520
They'd never had that kind of an
incident happen here in San Diego.
88
00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:14,480
It remains the worst aviation
accident in California history
89
00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,760
and at the time, it was the worst
aviation accident in the US.
90
00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:23,560
The crash of PSA 182
brought attention and scrutiny
91
00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,560
to the congested airspace
above San Diego.
92
00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:30,960
ALDRICH: It is
a fairly dramatic approach
93
00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,760
but it was procedures
that created the collision.
94
00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:36,880
There was a small aircraft
operating in an area
95
00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:39,760
where today, you wouldn't operate
a small aircraft.
96
00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:44,440
ENARSON: What occurred with 182
created what we call the 'TCA' -
97
00:06:44,520 --> 00:06:46,080
the Terminal Control Area.
98
00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:49,040
The fact that a small aeroplane
crossed through the approach
99
00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:50,560
into Lindbergh Field
100
00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:52,920
doesn't occur anymore
101
00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,000
and now that's at all airports.
102
00:06:56,240 --> 00:06:58,840
So because of that incident, that
really created that major change.
103
00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,640
But the safety measures were too late
to save the crew and passengers
104
00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:05,800
of Flight 182.
105
00:07:07,280 --> 00:07:10,920
It took a long time for us
to get over that incident.
106
00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:13,760
Matter of fact,
one could say we never really have.
107
00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:15,800
BLOOM: This happened in San Diego.
108
00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:19,440
We took this personally.
This was our airline, PSA.
109
00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:26,360
Pacific Southwest Airlines
was never able to fully recover
110
00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:29,800
and was bought by US Air in 1988.
111
00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:36,520
Since then, the city has grown up,
literally, around the airport.
112
00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:38,680
This has created a series
of structures
113
00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:42,120
that pilots must navigate
as they pass over the city.
114
00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:49,480
MAN: The challenge in San Diego is
not so much the mountainous terrain.
115
00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:51,920
The challenge is more
the surrounding community.
116
00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:02,680
It's not just the terrain,
the fog, the approach,
117
00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:04,640
all the traffic
that's going in there...
118
00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,160
You're a little close
to the buildings.
119
00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:10,400
Maybe closer than you would be
at other airports.
120
00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,520
But it meets
all of the standards for clearances
121
00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,160
and distances from buildings
and obstructions.
122
00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:20,880
The runway in San Diego
is relatively short
123
00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:23,520
for the size of the airport
that it has.
124
00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,000
And because of the terrain,
125
00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:27,160
we come in higher than
we normally would on the approach
126
00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:28,680
before we can descend to land.
127
00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:30,880
It's a non-precision approach.
128
00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:33,320
So you obviously can't go
straight down like a helicopter,
129
00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:35,960
so you come down at an angle.
130
00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:38,840
For a pilot, the airport does
present a little bit of a challenge.
131
00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,080
The most difficult part
of the approach
132
00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:44,920
isn't the proximity to skyscrapers.
133
00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:47,280
It's the four-storey car park
134
00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,160
that lies just 180m
from the end of the runway.
135
00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:57,360
The parking garage on the approach
into San Diego
136
00:08:57,440 --> 00:08:58,840
is one of those obstructions
137
00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:02,360
that most people would not
normally associate with an airport.
138
00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:05,200
If you were gonna build a building,
the last place around an airport
139
00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:07,960
you would think of doing it
is in front of the runway.
140
00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:10,640
That's exactly
where this structure was built.
141
00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:14,440
It presents
a little bit of a challenge
142
00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:17,040
but it's no more different
143
00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:18,920
than going over the same terrain
coming down,
144
00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:20,920
it's just stepping down
like another mountain.
145
00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:26,680
CONDON: It's part of the reason
we have a displace threshold
146
00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:28,360
down at that end of the runway.
147
00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:32,200
So the first 1,810ft of that
end of the runway, you can't land.
148
00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:35,960
But it still leaves us with plenty
of landing distance on the runway.
149
00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:43,560
Lindbergh is part of the fabric
of the city.
150
00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:48,560
In 2006, San Diegans voted against
a proposal to build a new airport,
151
00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,720
keeping Lindbergh's busy runway
152
00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:54,760
and constant flight pattern
a visible part of the city.
153
00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:58,080
Next, modern technology
and engineering
154
00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:02,440
can't beat the dangers
of Mother Nature.
155
00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:07,240
MAN: Birds, if ingested into a jet
engine, can cause serious damage.
156
00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:17,000
An airport so dangerous,
it had to be shut down.
157
00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:18,960
MAN 2: If you were landing
from the seaside,
158
00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:20,480
you are landing
towards the mountains.
159
00:10:20,560 --> 00:10:22,160
If you were landing
from the mountainside,
160
00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:24,280
you couldn't come over the top
and drop in.
161
00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:29,880
The world's most extreme airports
aren't confined to urban settings
162
00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:32,440
or high mountain passes.
163
00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:34,640
Some exist in more idyllic locations.
164
00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,080
ANNOUNCER: Number 9 on our list...
165
00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:42,720
The Portugese island of Madeira.
166
00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:48,680
Funchal Airport is extreme
due to its location.
167
00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:54,560
Cut out of the side of the mountain,
168
00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:57,640
it has a runway
that extends into the ocean.
169
00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:02,800
MAN: Once, many years ago
as a co-pilot,
170
00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:06,560
I was watching a captain get very,
very nervous going into Madeira.
171
00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:09,960
And this gentleman that I was
flying with - he was sitting there,
172
00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:14,240
literally with his hands shaking
on the throttles on the aircraft,
173
00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:15,920
which was not the most reassuring.
174
00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,560
And we did, in fact, end up
having to make a missed approach.
175
00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,280
With mountains located
next to its shoreline,
176
00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:40,440
wind patterns here
can be devastating.
177
00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:47,560
Madeira has canyon winds that
blow from both ends of the runway,
178
00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:49,120
but in different directions.
179
00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:54,600
So that you can have
a very, very dramatic wind shift
180
00:11:54,680 --> 00:11:57,640
just at a time
you're trying to touch down.
181
00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:03,280
Madeira was limited both by terrain
and what they could build around it.
182
00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:08,520
You have a seaside airport
butting up against a mountain.
183
00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:11,600
So you deal with onshore,
offshore winds,
184
00:12:11,680 --> 00:12:15,120
winds coming down the mountainside,
turbulence and, of course, seabirds.
185
00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:20,000
Birdstrikes certainly aren't limited
to Madeira.
186
00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:23,240
But they are a problem
187
00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:26,840
that technology and engineering
can't completely rectify.
188
00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:33,080
Birds, if ingested into a
jet engine, can cause serious damage
189
00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:36,080
and they even caused that engine
to be shut down.
190
00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:44,800
The most sensationalised birdstrike
is US Air in the Hudson River.
191
00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:49,200
Since the miracle on the Hudson,
192
00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:51,520
a lot of people
have questions about birdstrikes.
193
00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:56,920
Airports use a lot of techniques
including noise generators,
194
00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:58,680
hiring falconers,
195
00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:00,200
and even going out with shotguns
196
00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:03,400
to fire really loud blanks
to scare them away.
197
00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:10,880
Birds, weather and location
all must be accounted for here.
198
00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:14,560
But the final challenge
to face at Madeira is the runway.
199
00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:24,880
Measuring just 5,000ft,
200
00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:30,240
an Air Portugal 727
carrying 164 passengers and crew
201
00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:34,160
overshot this landing strip in 1977.
202
00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:38,680
131 of those aboard died that day.
203
00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:50,640
The runway was extended to 9,000ft,
but to accommodate the length,
204
00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,600
it had to be built
out into the ocean,
205
00:13:53,680 --> 00:13:56,720
meaning it is perched
on concrete supports.
206
00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:01,240
It's on stilts at either end,
207
00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:04,400
so although the runway's
perfectly good,
208
00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:08,680
you know that if you go over
the end, it's not gonna be nice
209
00:14:08,760 --> 00:14:12,040
because you've got
a 60ft drop there.
210
00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:19,600
Flying in mountain areas
211
00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:22,720
may be the most difficult challenge
any pilot faces.
212
00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,400
Updrafts, loss of horsepower
213
00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:29,720
and especially weather conditions
214
00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:33,240
often come together
with deadly consequences.
215
00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:38,120
At 1,400ft in elevation,
216
00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,600
the Rocky Mountains
combine many of these challenges.
217
00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:45,560
ANNOUNCER: Coming in at number 8...
218
00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:50,240
The most extreme
of the the Rockies' airports
219
00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:53,400
services the resort town of Vail -
220
00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:55,600
Eagle County Airport.
221
00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:59,560
Mountain flying
is the overall awareness
222
00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:01,080
of the terrain threat area.
223
00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:04,560
It takes somebody
that's got a respect
224
00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:06,640
for the weather and the terrain.
225
00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:11,280
It changes all the time -
weather, snow, visibility.
226
00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:12,960
This tends to keep us on our toes
227
00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:15,200
and gives us
a certain level of alertness.
228
00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,280
Vail is one of
the more challenging airports
229
00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:37,720
in the United States, if not
the Northern Hemisphere.
230
00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:41,200
You get turbulence from the wind,
231
00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:42,920
you get high altitude,
232
00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:46,400
which decreases
the performance of the aircraft.
233
00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:48,920
The higher you get in
the atmosphere, the thinner the air.
234
00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:50,600
It's less dense.
235
00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:53,000
And those air molecules
are what an aircraft uses
236
00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:54,760
to create lift over a wing
237
00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:57,520
and then the engines
also use that to create thrust,
238
00:15:57,600 --> 00:15:59,440
or energy,
to move the aircraft around.
239
00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,640
To make up for this
lack of horsepower,
240
00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:04,520
velocity must be increased.
241
00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:08,040
If you're going faster
over the ground,
242
00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:10,920
that means you cover more runway
when you land.
243
00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:15,880
And on a departure, the aeroplane
requires more runway for take-off
244
00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:19,120
and requires
actually more groundspeed.
245
00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:21,880
So that's one of the challenges
that you face.
246
00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,840
The approach itself
is also treacherous.
247
00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:32,880
KELLY: One of the things
about flying through Vail
248
00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:34,440
is that it's in a valley
249
00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:36,400
that initially limits
the lateral movement you have
250
00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:37,880
that you get at the airport.
251
00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:42,160
But these are rocky mountains.
They're 10, 11, 12,000ft.
252
00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:44,600
So you have to go in
over the top of the mountain
253
00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:46,400
then descend down into the airport,
254
00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:48,400
keeping in mind
that there's probably weather
255
00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,200
a good chunk of the year in there
256
00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:52,400
and you're gonna have fog
and things like this.
257
00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:54,720
So you're limited
in which way you can descend down.
258
00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,680
ABEND: It can be challenging
from the standpoint of the weather
259
00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:01,320
when it's reported
at the beginning of the approach
260
00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:03,000
can be absolutely marvellous.
261
00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,480
When we are halfway
into the approach,
262
00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:08,160
a snowstorm or squall can move in
263
00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:10,120
and bring our visibility
down to a point
264
00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:12,280
that it's below
what we call our 'minimums'
265
00:17:12,360 --> 00:17:14,400
and we have to go around
and try it again.
266
00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:21,320
The valley can be extremely difficult
for new pilots,
267
00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:23,960
sometimes, with tragic consequences.
268
00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:27,760
LEDERHAUSE: People don't respect
the altitude.
269
00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:31,000
And if somebody
comes from the prairies
270
00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:33,840
and tries to fly up a canyon
or up a valley,
271
00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:36,680
a lot of times,
they won't make it out.
272
00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:40,680
I've lost several friends that way -
that didn't make it
273
00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,880
and they all went down.
274
00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:48,480
You just have to be careful
and you have to respect the weather.
275
00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:50,440
It can change quick.
276
00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:02,480
The runway was recently
lengthened from 8,000ft to 9,000ft.
277
00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:05,840
But taking off is still a challenge.
278
00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:08,880
Eagle has a lot of precision to it.
279
00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:12,040
It requires that the captain
have currency into that airport
280
00:18:12,120 --> 00:18:13,920
every 18 months
281
00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:16,880
and it requires a special checkout
from a check airman
282
00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,920
both in landing and departure.
283
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:24,080
BOWLES: The departure follows
a very precise path through an area
284
00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:25,840
they call Cottonwood Pass
285
00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:28,040
that allows for terrain clearance
286
00:18:28,120 --> 00:18:30,560
for the larger
commercial aeroplanes.
287
00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:33,920
It's a very precise manoeuvre
from the time you take off
288
00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,040
till you reach terrain clearance
altitude
289
00:18:36,120 --> 00:18:38,160
and are headed
towards your cruise altitude.
290
00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:41,280
FARRIS: The terrain, obviously, is
the biggest problem with the airport
291
00:18:41,360 --> 00:18:44,720
and just requires a little
more of a pilot to be on his A-game.
292
00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:47,680
PILOT: Take-off brief.
293
00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:49,160
OK, it's going to be
a standard brief.
294
00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:53,280
We'll be, uh, straight ahead
to 400 feet, left turn at 215.
295
00:18:53,360 --> 00:18:57,440
The departure from Eagle
is challenging primarily to the west
296
00:18:57,520 --> 00:19:00,280
because you're dealing with
the quick turn out
297
00:19:00,360 --> 00:19:02,400
to follow Cottonwood Pass.
298
00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:03,880
Rotating.
299
00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:12,160
At 400ft,
you start a left-hand turn,
300
00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:14,240
which allows us
to fly through a valley
301
00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:17,080
avoiding some of the highest terrain
in the area.
302
00:19:17,160 --> 00:19:20,360
What that allows you to do is,
worst-case scenario,
303
00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:22,960
if you were to lose an engine
on the departure roll,
304
00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:26,720
you would still maintain
obstacle clearance through a valley,
305
00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:29,960
allowing you to miss all
the terrain, deal with the emergency
306
00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:31,920
and hopefully, return here
or go somewhere else.
307
00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:38,360
MAN: Juliet, approaching VOR to VOA
to 25. Airport is in sight.
308
00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:41,600
Here, with the terrain and the steep
gradients that we have to land in,
309
00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:46,200
and the possible poor weather,
makes us a little more alert,
310
00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,280
a little more aware
of what's going on,
311
00:19:48,360 --> 00:19:50,440
aware of the aeroplane
coming into a place like this
312
00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:54,120
versus just being complacent
with some of the easier airports.
313
00:19:56,480 --> 00:19:59,760
Next, an airport which combines
every dangerous element
314
00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:02,800
to challenge
even the most experienced pilots.
315
00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:07,000
MAN: It has a four-lane highway
that goes right through the middle.
316
00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:14,920
An airport so dangerous,
it had to be shut down.
317
00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:16,760
LEARMONT: If you were landing
from the seaside,
318
00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:18,760
you were landing
towards the mountains.
319
00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:20,880
If you were
landing from the mountainside,
320
00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:22,720
you couldn't come over the top
and drop in.
321
00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:37,600
ANNOUNCER: The seventh
most extreme airport..
322
00:20:38,760 --> 00:20:41,760
This next airport is extreme
in its design.
323
00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:46,400
High in the French Alps
is Courchevel Airport.
324
00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:52,320
It makes its mark due to
its short roller-coaster runway.
325
00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:14,080
ADAM: The runway at Courchevel
is a ski jump at one end
326
00:21:14,160 --> 00:21:17,760
and it's like a roller-coaster
at Magic Mountain going along it.
327
00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:23,120
ABEND: It's at 6,500 feet
on the altitude.
328
00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,440
1,700 feet is it for runway length.
329
00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,640
And then the slope
is just unbelievable.
330
00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:34,000
It's 18.5 degrees
going one direction.
331
00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:38,920
The extreme slope
is out of necessity.
332
00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:42,040
The airstrip, constructed in 1961,
333
00:21:42,120 --> 00:21:44,320
was originally built for vacationers
334
00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:46,520
coming to this
isolated mountain town.
335
00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:49,440
With no flat area for miles around,
336
00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:53,800
designers literally carved
the runway out of the mountainside,
337
00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:57,640
creating an extreme ride
for the privileged few.
338
00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:08,240
From one direction
339
00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:12,440
it is a very, very steep uphill
that you're landing on,
340
00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:13,920
and one of the issues there
obviously,
341
00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,960
assuming that you've mastered
the approach and got in there,
342
00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:18,680
is with the very steep slope,
343
00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:22,080
and if you end up not judging
your landing flare correctly,
344
00:22:22,160 --> 00:22:24,560
you could end up driving
the nose wheel of the aeroplane
345
00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:26,680
into the slope
that's coming up to meet you.
346
00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:33,520
ANNOUNCER: Number six
on our most extreme airport list...
347
00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:40,480
Nobody can deny
that Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport
348
00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:43,960
will go down in history
as an extreme airport.
349
00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:46,560
One of a kind,
350
00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:48,040
pilots still talk about
351
00:22:48,120 --> 00:22:49,880
the difficulties
in navigating this strip.
352
00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:52,440
There was no approach
anywhere in the world
353
00:22:52,520 --> 00:22:55,840
that had all the things going for it
that Kai Tak did.
354
00:23:10,360 --> 00:23:12,760
Kai Tak was a visual landing,
355
00:23:12,840 --> 00:23:17,600
meaning pilots had to identify a spot
on the ground to mark their approach.
356
00:23:19,280 --> 00:23:21,440
LEARMONT: If you were landing
from the seaside,
357
00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:22,960
you were landing
towards the mountains.
358
00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:24,760
If you were landing
from the mountainside,
359
00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:26,680
you couldn't come over the top
and drop in.
360
00:23:26,760 --> 00:23:29,040
You had to come down
paralleling the mountains
361
00:23:29,120 --> 00:23:32,320
and then make a turn
before you went in.
362
00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,720
Now, they thought, "How are we going
to help the pilots to do that,
363
00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:38,480
"especially when the visibility
is a little bit marginal?"
364
00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:39,960
And they said,
365
00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:43,240
"Right, we're going to build
a big aiming point
366
00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:45,560
"where you have to begin your turn."
367
00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:50,560
So up on the mountainside,
they built a huge flat space,
368
00:23:50,640 --> 00:23:53,880
actually aiming down the approach
the pilots would have to fly,
369
00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:56,480
and it was painted
in red and white checks.
370
00:23:56,560 --> 00:23:58,680
If you could see the checkerboard,
371
00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:00,720
that generally meant
that you had the visibility
372
00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:02,600
to then make
that right turn to land.
373
00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:05,040
If you didn't, you'd go around
and come around and try again.
374
00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:09,600
You fly towards a mountain,
you follow lead-in lights.
375
00:24:09,680 --> 00:24:14,040
At about 400ft, you turn.
The runway comes into view.
376
00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:19,640
Kai Tak's other challenges
include a lack of bail-out area.
377
00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:22,760
Most airlines say at 500ft,
378
00:24:22,840 --> 00:24:25,560
that is your last chance
to throw the approach away
379
00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:27,040
and go around again.
380
00:24:27,120 --> 00:24:31,200
But at Kai Tak,
you can't even level your wings
381
00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:34,280
until you've got only 300ft to go,
382
00:24:34,360 --> 00:24:35,880
and as a result of that,
383
00:24:35,960 --> 00:24:39,960
Hong Kong has seen
a load of spectacular landings.
384
00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:00,400
The challenges
resulted in 14 incidents
385
00:25:00,480 --> 00:25:02,680
during Kai Tak's time in service.
386
00:25:04,400 --> 00:25:09,320
One of the most memorable
occurred in 1993,
387
00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:12,040
when an incoming flight
skidded across the runway,
388
00:25:12,120 --> 00:25:15,440
landing in the shallow water
of Hong Kong's harbour.
389
00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:18,240
There were no deaths
390
00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:21,800
but it served as another reminder
of this dangerous airport.
391
00:25:29,160 --> 00:25:31,080
The one-runway airport
392
00:25:31,160 --> 00:25:33,640
was the third busiest in the world
for air traffic,
393
00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:37,120
and had been pushed
beyond its limits.
394
00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:43,360
So in 1998, the city opened
a new airport, Chek Lap Chok.
395
00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:47,400
The combination of
all the technology and improvements
396
00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:49,160
that the new Hong Kong airport have,
397
00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:52,040
make it a worldwide model
for many airports to aspire to.
398
00:25:52,120 --> 00:25:54,240
And even with
all the safety improvements
399
00:25:54,320 --> 00:25:56,520
and wind shear detection devices
400
00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:59,000
that really aren't on many airports
in the world,
401
00:25:59,080 --> 00:26:00,560
I still miss flying into Kai Tak.
402
00:26:06,120 --> 00:26:09,520
Next, an airport which combines
every dangerous element
403
00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:12,600
to challenge even
the most experienced pilots.
404
00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:15,920
MAN: It has a four-lane highway
that goes right through the middle.
405
00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:20,720
And our next airport's biggest danger
occurs
406
00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:23,240
just outside the airport's gates
407
00:26:23,320 --> 00:26:25,520
as thrillseekers
gamble with their lives
408
00:26:25,600 --> 00:26:28,640
in the jet blast
of departing aircraft.
409
00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:31,640
I've watched people being carried
into the air 50ft or more.
410
00:26:36,120 --> 00:26:38,200
The world's most extreme airports
411
00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:40,640
have all made our list
for different reasons -
412
00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:46,000
congestion in close proximity
to population centres,
413
00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:48,360
design flaws,
414
00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:51,600
and difficult approaches requiring
visual cues for landing.
415
00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:55,800
But there's only one airport
that combines
416
00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:58,840
all of the extreme
condition combinations together.
417
00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:03,200
ANNOUNCER: Coming in
at number five...
418
00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:06,160
Gibraltar Airport.
419
00:27:10,880 --> 00:27:13,320
Located on the southern tip of Spain,
420
00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:17,640
the Rock of Gibraltar guards the
entrance to the Mediterranean Sea,
421
00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:22,120
and it's the location of Gibraltar
that makes this airport so dangerous.
422
00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:44,320
Gibraltar Airport is unique
423
00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:47,200
because of the peculiar conditions
surrounding it.
424
00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:49,640
You have sea on either side.
425
00:27:49,720 --> 00:27:52,080
Yachts are a problem.
426
00:27:52,160 --> 00:27:53,960
The adverse weather conditions.
427
00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:56,400
Wind is a major issue.
428
00:27:56,480 --> 00:28:00,360
You have high-rise buildings
in the area.
429
00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:01,880
There's also a sports complex,
430
00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:04,040
which is immediately to the south
of the runway.
431
00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:09,520
Gibraltar is unique
because it's a huge rock
432
00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:12,600
sitting on a small promontory
at the end of Spain,
433
00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:15,360
but it's not owned by Spain -
it's owned by Britain.
434
00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:18,200
It's owned by Britain
435
00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:24,280
because British marines and
Dutch marines captured it in 1704.
436
00:28:24,360 --> 00:28:27,720
It is a source
of enormous irritation to Spain,
437
00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:31,560
but it is, of course,
hugely important to Britain.
438
00:28:35,920 --> 00:28:37,320
Control of Gibraltar
439
00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:40,040
has been disputed by both countries
for centuries.
440
00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:42,680
As a result,
441
00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:45,200
the Spanish have only recently
allowed flights
442
00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:46,840
to pass into their airspace.
443
00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:53,200
The use of the airfield at Gibraltar
444
00:28:53,280 --> 00:28:56,080
brought with it
an airspace control problem,
445
00:28:56,160 --> 00:29:00,480
and rulers of Spain
have used airspace as a weapon
446
00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:02,320
to try and get rid of the Brits.
447
00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:03,800
What they've said is,
448
00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:06,720
"That bit of airspace off the end
of the runway belongs to us."
449
00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:11,240
But what this actually creates
is a problem for pilots.
450
00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:14,880
The problem is that Spanish airspace
451
00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:18,360
is right next to
where you're landing.
452
00:29:18,440 --> 00:29:21,200
If it weren't for
that Spanish airspace,
453
00:29:21,280 --> 00:29:24,480
you'd have a straight-in approach
above the sea on one side,
454
00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:25,960
so no obstructions,
455
00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:28,880
and the other side,
a straight-in approach over the sea.
456
00:29:36,640 --> 00:29:40,280
MAN: So you have a sharp 90-degree
turn to avoid Spanish airspace.
457
00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:45,200
This does not require
particularly difficult skills,
458
00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:49,760
but it is a more demanding approach
than you would expect
459
00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:51,400
at a normal international airport.
460
00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:58,400
WOMAN: (OVER RADIO)
Oscar Kilo Charlie,
461
00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:01,520
turn right base, runway zero niner.
462
00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:03,280
Roger. Turn right base,
runway zero niner.
463
00:30:03,360 --> 00:30:04,680
Oscar Kilo Charlie.
464
00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:08,200
But the biggest problems
for pilots here
465
00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:12,080
are the high pressure weather systems
that form over the Iberian Peninsula.
466
00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:20,200
Gibraltar Airfield suffers uniquely
from wind.
467
00:30:20,280 --> 00:30:24,520
There is a famous wind
called the levanter,
468
00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:27,080
which is a moist easterly wind
469
00:30:27,160 --> 00:30:30,520
that flows from the Mediterranean
out through to the Atlantic.
470
00:30:30,600 --> 00:30:32,480
When it hits the Rock of Gibraltar,
471
00:30:32,560 --> 00:30:36,240
it creates a large
teardrop-shaped cloud,
472
00:30:36,320 --> 00:30:40,720
almost seems as if it's smoke
emanating from the top of the rock,
473
00:30:40,800 --> 00:30:43,240
and this hangs over
the town of Gibraltar.
474
00:30:43,320 --> 00:30:47,360
That in itself, though,
is not a problem for aviation.
475
00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:51,480
It's the south-westerly wind
that really causes the problem,
476
00:30:51,560 --> 00:30:54,040
where the turbulence over the rock
477
00:30:54,120 --> 00:31:00,080
creates a severe downdraft at about
300ft on the approach to land.
478
00:31:00,160 --> 00:31:04,720
If you've got a crosswind on the
runway it's got to go over the rock.
479
00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:08,480
And as a result of it,
it comes over the top of the rock
480
00:31:08,560 --> 00:31:09,960
and it tumbles
481
00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:12,680
and that tumbling causes
really nasty turbulence,
482
00:31:12,760 --> 00:31:16,600
but also it sneaks around
the side and the base
483
00:31:16,680 --> 00:31:18,720
so you've got a tailwind
when you're landing,
484
00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:21,560
and it robs you of airspeed -
you lose lift.
485
00:31:21,640 --> 00:31:24,560
And so you start to drop, you've
got to slam the throttles open
486
00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:28,280
and you've really got to be watching
the approach at every moment,
487
00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:32,400
and then just as
you're putting the aeroplane down
488
00:31:32,480 --> 00:31:34,800
and you think you've got
everything under control,
489
00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:36,280
then the stuff
tumbling over the top,
490
00:31:36,360 --> 00:31:39,600
it just grabs you
and it tries to throw you over.
491
00:31:39,680 --> 00:31:43,120
So everything you're having to do
is changing at all times.
492
00:31:45,560 --> 00:31:48,280
You can't simulate that,
it's just not possible.
493
00:31:48,360 --> 00:31:50,520
You can prepare people mentally
for it,
494
00:31:50,600 --> 00:31:53,760
but I'm afraid you have to go there
to find out what it's like.
495
00:31:56,680 --> 00:31:59,600
The most peculiar feature
of Gibraltar Airport
496
00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:02,240
simply defies logic.
497
00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:04,360
Perhaps the most unique feature
498
00:32:04,440 --> 00:32:06,720
is the fact it has
a four-lane highway
499
00:32:06,800 --> 00:32:08,600
that goes right through the middle.
500
00:32:18,720 --> 00:32:21,360
MAN: Every time an aircraft comes in
they put the barriers down.
501
00:32:21,440 --> 00:32:23,040
So they stop traffic
502
00:32:23,120 --> 00:32:26,080
and the traffic backs up
very quickly into the town area.
503
00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:28,200
So you do get a lot of congestion,
504
00:32:28,280 --> 00:32:31,480
especially when the military are
in Gibraltar, doing exercises.
505
00:32:31,560 --> 00:32:35,320
The barrier could be down for,
I've experienced, over half an hour.
506
00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:44,920
Having a busy road that intersects a
runway creates nightmares for locals.
507
00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:56,400
This is the airport barrier,
which has been pulled down
508
00:32:56,480 --> 00:32:59,200
in order for the planes
to either land or to take off.
509
00:32:59,280 --> 00:33:04,480
It takes about 10 minutes and then
traffic goes back to normal again.
510
00:33:04,560 --> 00:33:06,440
We're going to go through
the barrier now,
511
00:33:06,520 --> 00:33:08,520
which has just been opened.
512
00:33:08,600 --> 00:33:11,360
As you can see, we've got traffic
lights, we've got the barriers
513
00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:15,440
which is controlled by the
control tower just opposite there,
514
00:33:15,520 --> 00:33:17,000
and this is the runway.
515
00:33:17,080 --> 00:33:20,320
We've got a road going through
the...sideways through the runway.
516
00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:23,160
This runway is 2,000 yards long.
517
00:33:23,240 --> 00:33:25,520
Obviously for tourists,
they find it very strange
518
00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:27,520
when they have to cross a runway.
519
00:33:30,520 --> 00:33:33,080
We had a problem with pedestrians
crossing the runway
520
00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:35,240
who would stop
in the middle of the runway
521
00:33:35,320 --> 00:33:37,280
for their family photograph,
522
00:33:37,360 --> 00:33:40,880
photograph of the rock,
aeroplanes, and so on.
523
00:33:40,960 --> 00:33:44,000
They think that the runway
is a big car park.
524
00:33:44,080 --> 00:33:47,360
Because they...sometimes
they don't realise that
525
00:33:47,440 --> 00:33:49,920
you've got a control tower and
the air terminal just back there.
526
00:33:50,000 --> 00:33:53,160
So you've got this voice
coming from the air control tower
527
00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:54,640
telling them to please move on,
528
00:33:54,720 --> 00:33:57,400
that they can't stop
in the middle of the runway.
529
00:34:00,760 --> 00:34:03,400
Weather, a challenging flight path,
530
00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:05,520
and constant traffic
crossing its runway
531
00:34:05,600 --> 00:34:09,000
makes Gibraltar an extreme airport.
532
00:34:13,240 --> 00:34:15,280
Our next airport's biggest danger
occurs
533
00:34:15,360 --> 00:34:17,560
just outside the airport's gates
534
00:34:17,640 --> 00:34:20,120
as thrillseekers
gamble with their lives
535
00:34:20,200 --> 00:34:23,440
in the jet blast
of departing aircraft...
536
00:34:23,520 --> 00:34:26,240
MAN: I've watched people being
carried into the air 50ft or more.
537
00:34:30,240 --> 00:34:32,000
..and the runway so short...
538
00:34:33,720 --> 00:34:36,040
..there's no room for planes to stop.
539
00:34:43,280 --> 00:34:44,680
MAN: Whoa!
(WOMAN SQUEALS)
540
00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:49,160
Some of the world's
most extreme airports
541
00:34:49,240 --> 00:34:51,320
are tucked in between mountains,
542
00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:52,920
others are in the middle
of major cities,
543
00:34:53,000 --> 00:34:57,320
and some have design flaws
that surprise.
544
00:34:57,400 --> 00:35:02,080
But all of the world's most extreme
airports share one universal trait -
545
00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:03,960
dangerous terrain.
546
00:35:04,040 --> 00:35:08,040
And this airport is no exception.
547
00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:13,560
ANNOUNCER: The fourth
most extreme airport...
548
00:35:16,360 --> 00:35:18,960
St Maarten's
Princess Juliana Airport.
549
00:35:19,040 --> 00:35:23,440
South-east of Miami
lies the island of St Maarten.
550
00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:35,240
St Maarten -
551
00:35:35,320 --> 00:35:40,960
it is the world's smallest inhabited
island divided by two nations.
552
00:35:41,040 --> 00:35:44,840
France and Holland share
this 37-mile vacation spot,
553
00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:49,880
creating unusually high air traffic
for this gateway to the Caribbean.
554
00:36:11,320 --> 00:36:13,640
The airport is extremely busy.
555
00:36:13,720 --> 00:36:17,200
The island gets 1.7 million
passengers annually.
556
00:36:18,560 --> 00:36:20,600
The main reason why
St Maarten is so busy
557
00:36:20,680 --> 00:36:22,800
is because St Maarten is a hub.
558
00:36:22,880 --> 00:36:27,200
It is the only way for a lot of
people coming down into the islands
559
00:36:27,280 --> 00:36:29,200
to connect
to the surrounding islands.
560
00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:33,160
The congestion
is only the first factor
561
00:36:33,240 --> 00:36:34,920
in making this airport dangerous.
562
00:36:37,200 --> 00:36:40,480
Location is St Maarten's
most extreme condition.
563
00:36:40,560 --> 00:36:44,000
On one side of the runway,
it's the quick ascent at take-off,
564
00:36:44,080 --> 00:36:46,600
trying to avoid steep,
mountainous terrain.
565
00:36:50,240 --> 00:36:52,960
The aircraft have to take off
at a sharp incline
566
00:36:53,040 --> 00:36:56,040
because the mountains
are about 800m high.
567
00:36:57,960 --> 00:37:01,120
The aircraft have to avoid these
mountains as quickly as possible.
568
00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:06,080
You have to remember that these
aircrafts are loaded with passengers
569
00:37:06,160 --> 00:37:09,240
and with luggage
and sometimes even with cargo.
570
00:37:09,320 --> 00:37:12,840
For the pilot, it is
a tremendous challenge for him
571
00:37:12,920 --> 00:37:15,320
to get that bird
into the air safely.
572
00:37:15,400 --> 00:37:16,920
And on the other side of the runway,
573
00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:21,400
the approach takes planes
directly over the beach.
574
00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:23,720
BOWLES: St Maarten
is an airport busy
575
00:37:23,800 --> 00:37:25,600
like all of the other islands
in the Caribbean,
576
00:37:25,680 --> 00:37:28,160
slightly more than a lot
of the island destinations.
577
00:37:28,240 --> 00:37:29,960
The thing that makes it different
578
00:37:30,040 --> 00:37:33,600
is the approach path
is in very close proximity
579
00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:38,000
to hotels, people walking around
on the beach,
580
00:37:38,080 --> 00:37:40,680
and cars driving by
at the end of the runway.
581
00:37:47,680 --> 00:37:49,600
The beach
is one of the island's busiest
582
00:37:49,680 --> 00:37:51,520
and aircraft wheels pass
583
00:37:51,600 --> 00:37:55,520
just a few feet over the heads
of patrons at the local beach bar.
584
00:37:57,000 --> 00:37:58,800
Because of the close proximity
of the aircraft
585
00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:00,280
to the road and the beach,
586
00:38:00,360 --> 00:38:03,040
it's probably the greatest aeroplane
viewing spot in the world.
587
00:38:15,520 --> 00:38:18,200
The big attraction, of course,
of the St Maarten Airport
588
00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:19,680
is the end of the runway
589
00:38:19,760 --> 00:38:22,960
which is famously known
as the Sunset Bar area.
590
00:38:23,040 --> 00:38:26,440
ABEND: Most of us enjoy the sun,
most of us enjoy the water,
591
00:38:26,520 --> 00:38:29,400
and just the entire
beach atmosphere.
592
00:38:29,480 --> 00:38:31,880
The Sunset Bar collects all of that.
593
00:38:31,960 --> 00:38:35,440
And one of the unique things
that the Sunset Bar does
594
00:38:35,520 --> 00:38:37,640
is on a surfboard,
they put the arrivals.
595
00:38:38,880 --> 00:38:42,600
I also understand that there's
a pastime called 'riding the fence'.
596
00:38:47,880 --> 00:38:49,800
The biggest danger
of Princess Juliana
597
00:38:49,880 --> 00:38:52,560
occurs just outside
the airport's gates,
598
00:38:52,640 --> 00:38:54,240
with this local ritual.
599
00:38:55,760 --> 00:39:00,200
Thrillseekers literally climb on a
chain-link fence, get a tight grip,
600
00:39:00,280 --> 00:39:02,840
wait for the jet blast
from departing aircraft
601
00:39:02,920 --> 00:39:05,440
then hang on
for the ride of their life.
602
00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:13,960
American 667 clear for take-off,
Runway 10 in 1500.
603
00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:17,240
MAN: Roger, American 667, Runway 10
clear for take-off.
604
00:39:17,320 --> 00:39:18,720
Roger.
605
00:39:24,880 --> 00:39:27,360
REY: I think it's the only airport
in the world
606
00:39:27,440 --> 00:39:30,480
where you can actually
get that close to the runway
607
00:39:30,560 --> 00:39:33,920
and experience a jet blast
from an aircraft such as a 747,
608
00:39:34,000 --> 00:39:35,640
which is a very powerful aircraft.
609
00:39:35,720 --> 00:39:40,000
They can very literally
blow cars off their wheels.
610
00:39:40,080 --> 00:39:42,960
I think they're nuts,
but that's just my personal opinion.
611
00:39:43,040 --> 00:39:45,680
I've watched people being blown off
the fence into the water,
612
00:39:45,760 --> 00:39:48,440
and carried into the air
50ft or more.
613
00:39:52,960 --> 00:39:56,160
I guess I'll be riding that guy
right there,
614
00:39:56,240 --> 00:39:59,000
and he's a big boy
but I think I can handle him.
615
00:40:00,280 --> 00:40:03,320
It'd be interesting to feel
the force of a 747 jet engine
616
00:40:03,400 --> 00:40:06,120
against my body
at such a close distance.
617
00:40:06,200 --> 00:40:08,000
So, we'll see what happens.
618
00:40:08,080 --> 00:40:11,360
KELLY: Having been in the front end
of a 747,
619
00:40:11,440 --> 00:40:13,600
I'm not sure that I would go
stand out there.
620
00:40:13,680 --> 00:40:17,120
You're moving 770,000 pounds or more
621
00:40:17,200 --> 00:40:21,280
from zero to 180
in a few thousand feet.
622
00:40:21,360 --> 00:40:23,600
These people are in
for a ride of their lives.
623
00:40:51,880 --> 00:40:54,240
They do have warning signs
at the end of the runway
624
00:40:54,320 --> 00:40:55,960
warning people
to stay out of that area
625
00:40:56,040 --> 00:40:58,240
especially during take-offs
of aircrafts,
626
00:40:58,320 --> 00:41:00,440
but people just don't take
those warnings seriously.
627
00:41:00,520 --> 00:41:02,200
People have to take
into consideration
628
00:41:02,280 --> 00:41:03,720
that it's very dangerous.
629
00:41:03,800 --> 00:41:07,880
That was kind of fun. It hurt
at first, but then it goes away.
630
00:41:07,960 --> 00:41:09,360
Just like a really strong hurricane.
631
00:41:09,440 --> 00:41:13,520
All of a sudden you feel a pelt of
sand and dirt, dust and small rocks
632
00:41:13,600 --> 00:41:15,200
in your face and your body
633
00:41:15,280 --> 00:41:16,680
and that isn't too enjoyable.
634
00:41:25,040 --> 00:41:28,720
Juliana isn't the only
dangerous airport in the Caribbean.
635
00:41:28,800 --> 00:41:32,360
The next airport
has a runway so short
636
00:41:32,440 --> 00:41:34,720
there's no room for planes to stop.
637
00:41:34,800 --> 00:41:36,320
MAN: That guy's gotta stop.
638
00:41:39,480 --> 00:41:41,160
Whoa!
(WOMAN SQUEALS)
639
00:41:42,520 --> 00:41:44,840
MAN: Just look at the terrain
around things here.
640
00:41:44,920 --> 00:41:47,520
It's an accident looking
for a place to happen.
641
00:41:47,600 --> 00:41:50,280
And an airport where the terrain
is so bad,
642
00:41:50,360 --> 00:41:53,240
pilots have to learn
to control their fear.
643
00:41:53,320 --> 00:41:56,360
Immediately after we touched down,
he started braking very hard
644
00:41:56,440 --> 00:41:59,240
and we felt like
it wasn't braking anymore.
645
00:42:04,080 --> 00:42:07,880
The world's most extreme airports
have uniquely dangerous conditions.
646
00:42:17,080 --> 00:42:20,320
And for this airport,
it has an unbelievably short runway.
647
00:42:23,840 --> 00:42:25,640
ANNOUNCER: Number three on our list.
648
00:42:30,440 --> 00:42:32,040
The French island of St Barth's
649
00:42:32,120 --> 00:42:35,720
is a short hop
from the Caribbean hub of St Maarten,
650
00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:39,040
but this 12-minute flight
can be hair-raising.
651
00:42:58,360 --> 00:43:00,840
The approach to the airport runway
652
00:43:00,920 --> 00:43:02,560
is one of the most
thrilling experiences.
653
00:43:02,640 --> 00:43:05,400
I personally am always thrilled
to experience the landing
654
00:43:05,480 --> 00:43:09,160
and people have literally
got out of aircraft,
655
00:43:09,240 --> 00:43:11,760
and got down on their knees
and kissed the ground
656
00:43:11,840 --> 00:43:13,240
after landing in St Barth's.
657
00:43:30,480 --> 00:43:32,040
What a lot of people don't realise
658
00:43:32,120 --> 00:43:34,040
is the number of training flights
659
00:43:34,120 --> 00:43:36,600
pilots have to do
to land in St Barth's.
660
00:43:36,680 --> 00:43:38,600
It all starts with flyovers,
of course,
661
00:43:38,680 --> 00:43:41,200
and we have had some experience
662
00:43:41,280 --> 00:43:45,560
with people assuming that
they can easily land in St Barth's
663
00:43:45,640 --> 00:43:49,200
without any prior experience
or training for that matter.
664
00:43:49,280 --> 00:43:50,800
And there have been
a couple of mishaps.
665
00:43:54,840 --> 00:43:56,920
This landing, captured in 2009,
666
00:43:57,000 --> 00:44:02,720
underscores just how challenging
this short 2,000-foot runway can be.
667
00:44:05,440 --> 00:44:07,200
MAN: As safe as it's
going to be anyway.
668
00:44:10,040 --> 00:44:11,560
Dude, that guy's got to stop.
669
00:44:14,560 --> 00:44:15,960
Whoa.
(WOMAN GASPS)
670
00:44:16,040 --> 00:44:17,600
Crap.
671
00:44:20,680 --> 00:44:23,560
That kind of blows.
672
00:44:23,640 --> 00:44:28,000
Fortunately, these mishaps in
St Barth's have not been fatal.
673
00:44:29,120 --> 00:44:31,880
You cannot underestimate
the St Barth's runway.
674
00:44:31,960 --> 00:44:35,080
You have to have a lot of hours,
you have to have a lot of training.
675
00:44:35,160 --> 00:44:37,360
You have to be checked out
to land in St Barth's.
676
00:44:37,440 --> 00:44:41,040
Runway 2-8. Tango Whiskey.
We're all set to go.
677
00:44:47,200 --> 00:44:48,720
The problem at St Barth's
678
00:44:48,800 --> 00:44:51,800
is further complicated
by its difficult approach pattern.
679
00:44:53,640 --> 00:44:55,040
MAN: St Barth's airport is unique,
680
00:44:55,120 --> 00:44:56,880
because you need
a special licence to land here.
681
00:44:56,960 --> 00:45:00,600
It's a short runway surrounded
on all three sides by hills.
682
00:45:00,680 --> 00:45:03,480
It's got a clear approach
from the water,
683
00:45:03,560 --> 00:45:05,000
but then there's no
go-around procedure
684
00:45:05,080 --> 00:45:06,480
because you cannot
outclimb the hills.
685
00:45:06,560 --> 00:45:09,840
It's got wind issues,
it's got a short runway issue,
686
00:45:09,920 --> 00:45:11,920
and also it's downhill.
687
00:45:20,000 --> 00:45:24,160
Traffic directly below the approach
path can be extremely hazardous.
688
00:45:25,720 --> 00:45:27,840
Whenever you have somebody
that puts themselves in the path
689
00:45:27,920 --> 00:45:30,120
or on the approach path
of the runway,
690
00:45:30,200 --> 00:45:31,640
we have to make approaches
around them.
691
00:45:31,720 --> 00:45:33,520
That makes it pretty dangerous.
692
00:45:40,720 --> 00:45:42,880
Some people can't do it,
some people just can't get it,
693
00:45:42,960 --> 00:45:44,360
because you have to have...
694
00:45:44,440 --> 00:45:46,600
You have to be
what we call a pretty good stick.
695
00:45:46,680 --> 00:45:48,200
You have to have
very good eye/hand coordination,
696
00:45:48,280 --> 00:45:50,920
and you have to have
very good stick and rudder skills.
697
00:45:53,280 --> 00:45:55,040
It's very important
when you train for this airport
698
00:45:55,120 --> 00:45:56,920
that you do it
under different wind conditions.
699
00:45:57,000 --> 00:45:59,200
That's why we don't advocate
training in one day,
700
00:45:59,280 --> 00:46:00,720
because in one day it's very rare
701
00:46:00,800 --> 00:46:02,440
that you're going to
encounter all wind conditions.
702
00:46:02,520 --> 00:46:04,200
The wind is coming
from the south now.
703
00:46:04,280 --> 00:46:05,800
MAN: OK.
The wind changed by the way.
704
00:46:05,880 --> 00:46:07,120
Cool.
705
00:46:08,280 --> 00:46:11,680
They're really trying to get it
so that the access is hard.
706
00:46:11,760 --> 00:46:13,360
It's difficult to use the airport.
707
00:46:13,440 --> 00:46:16,200
It's an airport that requires a
special set of skills to land here.
708
00:46:16,280 --> 00:46:17,960
It's not an airport
that was ever designed,
709
00:46:18,040 --> 00:46:19,720
nor will ever be designed,
for large aircraft.
710
00:46:25,840 --> 00:46:27,360
100 knots, 500m.
711
00:46:29,760 --> 00:46:33,320
Exactly where I want it.
Roger. Ground speed, 100.
712
00:46:33,400 --> 00:46:34,800
So now what we're doing
713
00:46:34,880 --> 00:46:37,440
is we're going to put our left wing
close to the ground here.
714
00:47:11,000 --> 00:47:14,360
We don't call these pilots 'pilots'.
They are aviators.
715
00:47:14,440 --> 00:47:17,560
Any pilot that gets his wings
here in the Caribbean
716
00:47:17,640 --> 00:47:19,480
and has the right training
717
00:47:19,560 --> 00:47:23,320
can go on to
any other destination in the world
718
00:47:23,400 --> 00:47:25,400
and fly any type of aircraft.
719
00:47:31,240 --> 00:47:33,080
MAN: Just look at the terrain
around Tegucigalpa.
720
00:47:33,160 --> 00:47:35,760
It's an accident
looking for a place to happen.
721
00:47:35,840 --> 00:47:39,120
Next, an airport
where the terrain is so bad,
722
00:47:39,200 --> 00:47:42,240
pilots have to learn
to control their fear.
723
00:47:42,320 --> 00:47:45,360
Immediately after we touched down,
he started braking very...very hard,
724
00:47:45,440 --> 00:47:48,440
and we felt like
he wasn't braking anymore.
725
00:47:57,800 --> 00:48:02,040
The world's most extreme airports
all present challenges for pilots.
726
00:48:06,280 --> 00:48:08,600
ANNOUNCER:
The second-most extreme airport.
727
00:48:15,480 --> 00:48:18,600
Toncontin International Airport,
Central America.
728
00:48:20,960 --> 00:48:23,560
The capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa,
729
00:48:23,640 --> 00:48:28,080
lies amid the awe-inspiring
Sierra Madre Mountains.
730
00:48:28,160 --> 00:48:31,760
It is here you'll find
Toncontin International Airport,
731
00:48:31,840 --> 00:48:34,080
call letters 'TNT',
732
00:48:34,160 --> 00:48:38,920
and these three letters
are fitting for this extreme airport.
733
00:48:40,800 --> 00:48:44,440
MAN: The first time I came
into Tegucigalpa, it was a shocker.
734
00:48:46,120 --> 00:48:47,200
It really was.
735
00:48:47,280 --> 00:48:49,760
MAN 2: Just look at the terrain
around Tegucigalpa.
736
00:48:49,840 --> 00:48:52,120
It's an accident
looking for a place to happen.
737
00:48:52,200 --> 00:48:56,840
Tegucigalpa in Honduras is the most
extreme airport that's out there.
738
00:48:58,600 --> 00:49:00,240
Everyone gets scared.
739
00:49:00,320 --> 00:49:03,320
What you have to learn to do
is control fear.
740
00:49:05,520 --> 00:49:09,160
It holds the distinction of
being the international airport
741
00:49:09,240 --> 00:49:10,680
that has the shortest runway
742
00:49:10,760 --> 00:49:13,280
that has commercial traffic
coming into it.
743
00:49:13,360 --> 00:49:16,040
It's an airport that you
have to have utmost respect,
744
00:49:16,120 --> 00:49:19,160
even in a beautiful day,
with a brand-new aeroplane,
745
00:49:19,240 --> 00:49:21,160
with the optimum conditions.
746
00:49:21,240 --> 00:49:23,720
If you're not careful
it's going to blow up in your face.
747
00:49:42,880 --> 00:49:45,280
Toncontin's difficulties
are numerous,
748
00:49:45,360 --> 00:49:47,360
but it's the approach and runway
749
00:49:47,440 --> 00:49:50,040
that combine
to make this airport so dangerous.
750
00:49:52,960 --> 00:49:55,720
Aircraft are forced
to descend rapidly on approach,
751
00:49:55,800 --> 00:49:58,200
not only because
of the nearby terrain,
752
00:49:58,280 --> 00:50:01,880
but also because of
the extremely short landing strip,
753
00:50:01,960 --> 00:50:04,440
which has a 65-foot cliff
754
00:50:04,520 --> 00:50:07,480
looming ominously
at the opposite end of the runway.
755
00:50:14,560 --> 00:50:17,360
We train every one of our pilots
that come here.
756
00:50:20,040 --> 00:50:21,800
The airport
is surrounded by mountains.
757
00:50:21,880 --> 00:50:24,520
We have a series of landmarks,
758
00:50:24,600 --> 00:50:26,520
and that may seem foreign
for people,
759
00:50:26,600 --> 00:50:29,200
thinking that pilots fly on
instruments all the time.
760
00:50:29,280 --> 00:50:31,320
We actually go from one hill,
761
00:50:31,400 --> 00:50:32,960
to a freeway,
762
00:50:33,040 --> 00:50:35,480
to cross over a house
that has a pool.
763
00:50:35,560 --> 00:50:36,960
It's like a treasure hunt.
764
00:50:37,040 --> 00:50:38,720
You look for the next point
765
00:50:38,800 --> 00:50:41,120
to take you all the way around
to get to the airport.
766
00:50:42,880 --> 00:50:44,600
There's a mark on the runway,
767
00:50:44,680 --> 00:50:49,200
and about 400 to 500 feet
beyond that is another mark.
768
00:50:49,280 --> 00:50:52,320
And if you don't touch down
in between those two marks,
769
00:50:52,400 --> 00:50:54,400
we're going to
do a manoeuvre where...
770
00:50:54,480 --> 00:50:55,880
..we call it a go-around -
771
00:50:55,960 --> 00:50:58,880
where you're going to take off
and come back and try it again.
772
00:51:05,880 --> 00:51:10,640
Tegucigalpa's mountain location also
plays a role in making it dangerous.
773
00:51:10,720 --> 00:51:14,120
Quick-moving fronts can roll over
the mountains and affect vision,
774
00:51:14,200 --> 00:51:16,200
altering typical flight patterns.
775
00:51:17,280 --> 00:51:21,400
This was never more evident
than on a rainy morning in 1989.
776
00:51:25,600 --> 00:51:29,120
The result remains the country's
worst aviation disaster.
777
00:51:31,840 --> 00:51:33,240
BOWLES: From what I can gather
778
00:51:33,320 --> 00:51:35,680
from the flight path depiction
that is shown in the report,
779
00:51:35,760 --> 00:51:40,040
the crew failed to follow
the established step-down procedures
780
00:51:40,120 --> 00:51:41,880
for the approach due to the terrain,
781
00:51:41,960 --> 00:51:45,520
and, um...
literally flew it into the ground.
782
00:51:49,720 --> 00:51:54,440
127 of the 146 people onboard died.
783
00:51:54,520 --> 00:51:57,640
Who knows why that happened?
784
00:51:57,720 --> 00:52:00,080
The flight path clearly shows
785
00:52:00,160 --> 00:52:04,240
that they missed about every minimum
step-down altitude procedure point
786
00:52:04,320 --> 00:52:05,720
on the entire approach.
787
00:52:07,120 --> 00:52:09,240
It's a very well-defined
and well-structured approach,
788
00:52:09,320 --> 00:52:11,120
and has to be flown precisely.
789
00:52:13,240 --> 00:52:15,160
Unfortunately,
there have been other incidents...
790
00:52:16,920 --> 00:52:19,000
..including one in 1997
791
00:52:19,080 --> 00:52:22,440
where a US Air Force cargo plane
overshot the runway,
792
00:52:22,520 --> 00:52:24,480
killing three Americans.
793
00:52:26,080 --> 00:52:28,520
These tragedies
are a sobering reminder
794
00:52:28,600 --> 00:52:30,840
of the difficulties at Tegucigalpa.
795
00:52:36,880 --> 00:52:39,200
We have a TACA Airbus
that is arriving.
796
00:52:39,280 --> 00:52:41,520
He already has his gear down -
the wheels -
797
00:52:41,600 --> 00:52:44,120
because you're nice
and slow at this point.
798
00:52:44,200 --> 00:52:48,200
He already has flaps up which also
allows him to fly slower.
799
00:52:48,280 --> 00:52:51,560
He's continuing just to make this
gentle turn all the way around.
800
00:52:51,640 --> 00:52:55,160
Fairly shortly he'll start a much
more aggressive turn to the left,
801
00:52:55,240 --> 00:52:59,600
and that will be putting him
in line with the main road
802
00:52:59,680 --> 00:53:01,800
that is running just
in front of the hills there.
803
00:53:01,880 --> 00:53:05,840
At this point, he's about
600 feet above the airport,
804
00:53:05,920 --> 00:53:08,200
about 200 feet above the terrain.
805
00:53:09,520 --> 00:53:11,800
So from here,
the heart rate's starting to pick up
806
00:53:11,880 --> 00:53:14,480
because the pilot
is looking at the airport,
807
00:53:14,560 --> 00:53:15,960
he's looking for his landing area -
808
00:53:16,040 --> 00:53:18,200
the white stripe
on the end of the runway here -
809
00:53:18,280 --> 00:53:21,880
and he's judging it so that his
approach will get him right to that.
810
00:53:21,960 --> 00:53:24,720
And if you look at
the terrain below him there,
811
00:53:24,800 --> 00:53:27,600
that's probably about 150 feet
above that terrain.
812
00:53:27,680 --> 00:53:32,240
Very shortly he will be banking left
again and lining up on the runway.
813
00:53:32,320 --> 00:53:36,000
Now he's lined up and he's
aiming intently on the landing zone.
814
00:53:37,840 --> 00:53:41,320
Where he should be touching down
is right on those white lines.
815
00:53:41,400 --> 00:53:43,480
This looks like
it's going to be good.
816
00:53:44,840 --> 00:53:46,440
Right there. Perfect.
817
00:53:46,520 --> 00:53:47,920
The aeroplane down.
818
00:53:48,000 --> 00:53:51,880
Here it's a matter of
bringing in 188 people
819
00:53:51,960 --> 00:53:54,400
that are in the back,
that are counting on you
820
00:53:54,480 --> 00:53:57,240
to deliver the aeroplane
in a safe manner
821
00:53:57,320 --> 00:53:58,840
to an airport that's challenging.
822
00:54:01,640 --> 00:54:03,240
But not all landings
are that precise.
823
00:54:03,320 --> 00:54:07,640
The most recent incident
occurred in May 2008.
824
00:54:09,240 --> 00:54:10,640
MAN: It was a cloudy day,
825
00:54:10,720 --> 00:54:14,800
and the pilot
made the first attempt to landing,
826
00:54:14,880 --> 00:54:16,600
and eventually couldn't.
827
00:54:16,680 --> 00:54:20,040
And so he announced,
"We tried landing. We couldn't.
828
00:54:20,120 --> 00:54:21,600
"We're going to
make a next attempt.
829
00:54:21,680 --> 00:54:24,960
"Don't worry -
we'll keep you informed."
830
00:54:25,040 --> 00:54:26,440
It puts a lot of pressure,
831
00:54:26,520 --> 00:54:28,680
the first approach
you're making to Tegucigalpa.
832
00:54:28,760 --> 00:54:32,440
I would rather suggest
go to the alternate airport.
833
00:54:32,520 --> 00:54:35,000
You try again, your vision narrows,
834
00:54:35,080 --> 00:54:40,040
your brain decisions narrow,
and definitely you are scared.
835
00:54:41,320 --> 00:54:44,600
MAN: The wind was predominantly
coming from the south, actually,
836
00:54:44,680 --> 00:54:49,200
and moving northwards, which pushed
the plane to a higher groundspeed.
837
00:54:49,280 --> 00:54:51,200
The touchdown was perfect.
838
00:54:51,280 --> 00:54:53,520
We practically couldn't even feel
when the plane touched down.
839
00:54:53,600 --> 00:54:56,440
What we did feel is that
immediately after we touched down
840
00:54:56,520 --> 00:54:58,760
he started braking very...very hard,
841
00:54:58,840 --> 00:55:01,400
and then there was
a fraction of a second
842
00:55:01,480 --> 00:55:04,000
where we felt like
he wasn't braking anymore,
843
00:55:04,080 --> 00:55:05,960
and then it was like
844
00:55:06,040 --> 00:55:09,280
being at the top of
a roller-coaster and going down.
845
00:55:14,600 --> 00:55:16,520
He landed with a tailwind,
846
00:55:16,600 --> 00:55:19,720
touched down basically
three quarters down the runway...
847
00:55:22,720 --> 00:55:24,120
..and he went off the runway.
848
00:55:27,920 --> 00:55:30,760
There was smoke in the cabin.
849
00:55:30,840 --> 00:55:31,920
There were...
850
00:55:32,000 --> 00:55:35,800
..things were starting falling out
of the overhead containers.
851
00:55:37,920 --> 00:55:40,440
There were a few seconds
of dead silence.
852
00:55:40,520 --> 00:55:42,600
I think everybody was sort of, uh...
853
00:55:42,680 --> 00:55:44,840
..trying to determine,
"Am I alive? What happened?"
854
00:55:47,600 --> 00:55:50,840
The 65-foot drop resulted in
only five fatalities -
855
00:55:50,920 --> 00:55:53,680
three onboard, and two on the ground.
856
00:55:55,120 --> 00:55:57,880
Despite the advances
of modern aviation,
857
00:55:57,960 --> 00:56:01,600
overshot runways
are still a common occurrence.
858
00:56:01,680 --> 00:56:03,480
Since 1984,
859
00:56:03,560 --> 00:56:07,560
there has been an average of
three to four overruns every month.
860
00:56:07,640 --> 00:56:09,760
But measures are being made
to improve safety.
861
00:56:09,840 --> 00:56:12,800
Approximately
20 United States airports
862
00:56:12,880 --> 00:56:16,440
now have a restraint device
called an EMAS system.
863
00:56:17,640 --> 00:56:21,480
EMAS is an acronym for
Engineered Material Arrestor System.
864
00:56:21,560 --> 00:56:26,080
It's actually blocks made
of what's called cellular concrete,
865
00:56:26,160 --> 00:56:28,720
designed to collapse
under the weight of an aircraft,
866
00:56:28,800 --> 00:56:32,200
slow the aircraft down,
and stop the aircraft safely.
867
00:56:33,320 --> 00:56:36,160
There's been a number of aircraft
stopped safely,
868
00:56:36,240 --> 00:56:37,920
in every instance no injuries,
869
00:56:38,000 --> 00:56:39,840
so they work as advertised.
870
00:56:42,440 --> 00:56:46,120
Tegucigalpa has taken its own
measures to prevent another tragedy.
871
00:56:48,640 --> 00:56:50,040
The airport was closed for six weeks
872
00:56:50,120 --> 00:56:53,120
and the airstrip
was extended 900 feet
873
00:56:53,200 --> 00:56:56,200
by literally cutting down
a hill at the end of the runway
874
00:56:56,280 --> 00:56:58,880
to reduce the steep incline
of the approach.
875
00:57:00,480 --> 00:57:03,000
The improvements are cosmetics.
876
00:57:03,080 --> 00:57:06,160
The cancer is still there.
877
00:57:06,240 --> 00:57:09,240
The mountains are still there,
the runway's the same,
878
00:57:09,320 --> 00:57:15,200
and I surprise myself that in spite
of all the flights in all the years,
879
00:57:15,280 --> 00:57:17,200
very few accidents have happened.
880
00:57:23,480 --> 00:57:26,560
And next, in the middle of
the world's highest mountain range,
881
00:57:26,640 --> 00:57:31,200
an airport so extreme,
pilots refuse to land.
882
00:57:31,280 --> 00:57:35,000
If you don't check the aircraft
at the last touchdown point,
883
00:57:35,080 --> 00:57:36,360
your nose will hit.
884
00:57:36,440 --> 00:57:37,840
There's a dead end.
885
00:57:45,520 --> 00:57:47,760
The airports we have seen so far
886
00:57:47,840 --> 00:57:51,040
have all been uniquely challenging
for pilots.
887
00:57:54,240 --> 00:57:57,760
ANNOUNCER: Coming in
at number one...
888
00:57:57,840 --> 00:58:00,320
None of the airports
are more dangerous
889
00:58:00,400 --> 00:58:02,160
than the most extreme airport,
890
00:58:02,240 --> 00:58:04,200
Nepal's Lukla Airport.
891
00:58:04,280 --> 00:58:05,680
KELLY: Lukla Airport, Nepal,
892
00:58:05,760 --> 00:58:08,680
brings together all these variables
we've been talking about
893
00:58:08,760 --> 00:58:11,560
and it's really what makes
an airport extreme.
894
00:58:12,920 --> 00:58:18,560
You have the altitude, mountains,
windshear, turbulence,
895
00:58:18,640 --> 00:58:22,880
a short runway,
constantly changing weather.
896
00:58:22,960 --> 00:58:24,960
It is the most extreme airport.
897
00:58:42,120 --> 00:58:45,000
Officially called
Tenzing-Hillary Airport,
898
00:58:45,080 --> 00:58:48,400
it is named for the first men to
reach the summit of Mount Everest -
899
00:58:48,480 --> 00:58:52,080
Sir Edmund Hillary
and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
900
00:58:54,000 --> 00:58:55,520
Long known as Lukla,
901
00:58:55,600 --> 00:58:59,000
it is located high
in the north-eastern corner of Nepal
902
00:58:59,080 --> 00:59:01,360
in the heart of the Himalayas.
903
00:59:02,920 --> 00:59:06,280
There are 30 daily flights
between Kathmandu and Lukla.
904
00:59:07,400 --> 00:59:09,960
While only 85 miles apart,
905
00:59:10,040 --> 00:59:12,640
they can feature
drastically different weather.
906
00:59:14,120 --> 00:59:18,360
Positioned at an elevation
of 9,382ft,
907
00:59:18,440 --> 00:59:22,960
it is one of the world's highest
airports, and the gateway to Everest.
908
00:59:30,040 --> 00:59:36,520
The short 1,600ft runway features
a 2,000ft drop into the valley below.
909
00:59:45,680 --> 00:59:50,560
MAN: Lots of people find it
very crazy to be landing here
910
00:59:50,640 --> 00:59:53,440
and they're really surprised
seeing this runway
911
00:59:53,520 --> 00:59:55,560
and they're just shocked.
912
00:59:58,520 --> 01:00:01,120
MAN 2: The tourists who come
to Nepal have Everest in mind,
913
01:00:01,200 --> 01:00:05,520
so they do have some kind of feeling
that it'll be a difficult airport.
914
01:00:05,600 --> 01:00:08,840
And when they see the runway,
it's a lot scarier for them.
915
01:00:19,720 --> 01:00:22,280
MAN 3: It was the most terrifying
experience of my entire life.
916
01:00:22,360 --> 01:00:25,280
When I saw that bit of tarmac,
I honestly thought I was gonna die.
917
01:00:25,360 --> 01:00:28,120
WOMAN: My first experience
was seeing the mountains
918
01:00:28,200 --> 01:00:30,320
and after I've seen the mountains,
trying to work out
919
01:00:30,400 --> 01:00:31,960
where the hell we were going
to land.
920
01:00:32,040 --> 01:00:34,280
Because all you see are mountains
and ridges and valleys.
921
01:00:34,360 --> 01:00:36,320
You don't see any flat land.
922
01:00:36,400 --> 01:00:38,560
Then when I realized we weren't even
landing on a ridge,
923
01:00:38,640 --> 01:00:40,040
my heart stopped.
924
01:00:45,320 --> 01:00:48,040
The other end of the runway
seems to slope uphill
925
01:00:48,120 --> 01:00:49,800
towards the peaks behind it.
926
01:00:50,960 --> 01:00:55,560
The gradient of 12 degrees is the
equivalent of a 10-storey building.
927
01:00:58,760 --> 01:01:00,320
You can't prepare for it.
You really can't.
928
01:01:00,400 --> 01:01:03,720
You can't read about it, but you can
never appreciate how scary it is
929
01:01:03,800 --> 01:01:05,240
until you actually fly in.
930
01:01:08,000 --> 01:01:10,120
The fact that this runway
moves uphill
931
01:01:10,200 --> 01:01:14,040
actually helps the aircraft stop.
932
01:01:14,120 --> 01:01:17,040
When you come to Lukla,
there's a dead end.
933
01:01:17,120 --> 01:01:21,160
If you don't check the aircraft
at the last touchdown point,
934
01:01:21,240 --> 01:01:22,680
your nose will hit.
935
01:01:22,760 --> 01:01:26,240
You cannot overshoot.
There's no go around.
936
01:01:26,320 --> 01:01:28,280
That's crazy!
937
01:01:28,360 --> 01:01:32,120
MAN: OK. Ignition on.
938
01:01:32,200 --> 01:01:34,320
Because of these intricacies,
939
01:01:34,400 --> 01:01:39,400
the airport is always treated with
extreme precision and caution.
940
01:01:39,480 --> 01:01:41,280
All set for departure.
941
01:01:41,360 --> 01:01:44,640
You have to start from scratch here.
942
01:01:44,720 --> 01:01:49,520
Any other pilots flying
any other airfields in the world
943
01:01:49,600 --> 01:01:51,520
cannot just come and fly here.
944
01:01:51,600 --> 01:01:53,600
They have to come get used to it.
945
01:01:53,680 --> 01:01:56,680
Just like the trekkers and hikers
when they come here,
946
01:01:56,760 --> 01:01:58,360
they have to get acclimatised.
947
01:01:58,440 --> 01:02:02,760
We don't clear pilots to land here
without instructors.
948
01:02:11,400 --> 01:02:13,760
During the high season in October,
949
01:02:13,840 --> 01:02:17,560
nearly 500 passengers travel daily
to this remote spot
950
01:02:17,640 --> 01:02:19,120
near the top of the world.
951
01:02:23,520 --> 01:02:25,600
The approach into Lukla
is treacherous
952
01:02:25,680 --> 01:02:28,960
because of the decreased horsepower
of planes at this altitude.
953
01:02:30,520 --> 01:02:35,800
As a result, once a landing attempt
has begun, there is no going back.
954
01:02:35,880 --> 01:02:38,920
It requires a coordinated effort
on the ground.
955
01:02:39,000 --> 01:02:41,320
Everyone needs to be ready.
956
01:02:44,000 --> 01:02:46,240
Once the departure happens
from Kathmandu,
957
01:02:46,320 --> 01:02:51,600
we sound the siren to let the
airlines as well as passengers know
958
01:02:51,680 --> 01:02:53,320
that the aircraft has
actually departed from Kathmandu.
959
01:02:54,920 --> 01:02:57,600
The runway is used as a short cut
into town
960
01:02:57,680 --> 01:03:01,600
so the sound of a siren warns
the locals to get off the runway.
961
01:03:03,880 --> 01:03:06,320
(INDISTINCT RADIO COMMUNICATION)
962
01:03:11,560 --> 01:03:13,840
OK, guys. We're landing.
963
01:03:13,920 --> 01:03:17,560
LAMA: When you initiate an approach
from 9,300 onward,
964
01:03:17,640 --> 01:03:19,040
that's a point of no return.
965
01:03:19,120 --> 01:03:23,080
You cannot overshoot.
You cannot fly out of it.
966
01:03:23,160 --> 01:03:26,120
You have to come, land, final go.
967
01:03:31,840 --> 01:03:35,280
Lukla has been the site
of numerous crashes.
968
01:03:35,360 --> 01:03:38,480
Coming up, we'll examine
one of the most deadly.
969
01:03:38,560 --> 01:03:41,600
MAN: The aircraft came to final
and we could see it descend,
970
01:03:41,680 --> 01:03:43,120
but just suddenly the fog lifted off
971
01:03:43,200 --> 01:03:45,920
and we just expected it to
come out of it, but it didn't.
972
01:03:53,400 --> 01:03:55,240
Nepal's Lukla Airport
973
01:03:55,320 --> 01:03:59,520
is named for Sir Edmund Hillary
and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay,
974
01:03:59,600 --> 01:04:01,760
not just because of their epic feat,
975
01:04:01,840 --> 01:04:05,640
but because Hillary was instrumental
in building the airport.
976
01:04:05,720 --> 01:04:11,600
11 years after their climb, Hillary
made plans to build the airport.
977
01:04:11,680 --> 01:04:13,120
While he saw it as a way
978
01:04:13,200 --> 01:04:16,160
to get mountaineers
to Everest base camp more quickly,
979
01:04:16,240 --> 01:04:18,360
he also did it to help the locals.
980
01:04:20,520 --> 01:04:23,520
LAMA: It was Sir Edmund Hillary
with his vision
981
01:04:23,600 --> 01:04:28,600
who felt it was something that he
wanted to give back to the society
982
01:04:28,680 --> 01:04:30,400
that he loved so much.
983
01:04:31,600 --> 01:04:34,760
The construction was completed
in 1964
984
01:04:34,840 --> 01:04:36,920
and has been serving the area
ever since.
985
01:04:42,520 --> 01:04:47,800
70% of the area
is still not accessible by land
986
01:04:47,880 --> 01:04:50,200
so there's no way out
987
01:04:50,280 --> 01:04:53,640
unless there's an aircraft or
helicopter landing into that area.
988
01:04:54,960 --> 01:04:58,800
See, most of the people don't even
know what a car looks like,
989
01:04:58,880 --> 01:05:01,280
but ask them about aircraft,
they'll tell you,
990
01:05:01,360 --> 01:05:03,160
because that's what
they have grown up with.
991
01:05:03,240 --> 01:05:07,680
While Lukla has seen
some modernisation,
992
01:05:07,760 --> 01:05:10,360
like the paving of the runway
in 2001,
993
01:05:10,440 --> 01:05:12,440
it remains treacherous.
994
01:05:14,720 --> 01:05:18,680
Due to the altitude, the weather
is always a challenge to overcome.
995
01:05:21,160 --> 01:05:23,600
The weather
is totally unpredictable.
996
01:05:23,680 --> 01:05:26,440
Usually in the morning,
the weather seems to be clear
997
01:05:26,520 --> 01:05:30,600
and that's when most of the planes
take off and land.
998
01:05:30,680 --> 01:05:33,000
So most of the flights are done
during the morning hours.
999
01:05:34,600 --> 01:05:37,400
LAMA: When the weather's clear,
it's turbulent.
1000
01:05:37,480 --> 01:05:39,200
When the weather's not clear,
it's cloudy.
1001
01:05:39,280 --> 01:05:41,640
It's difficult to come in
an approach here,
1002
01:05:41,720 --> 01:05:43,680
but you have to know exactly
what you are doing.
1003
01:05:45,760 --> 01:05:47,760
In spite of all the warnings,
1004
01:05:47,840 --> 01:05:50,840
there have still been
several incidents over the years,
1005
01:05:50,920 --> 01:05:54,200
including four in the past six years,
1006
01:05:54,280 --> 01:05:59,680
the most recent occurring
on an autumn morning in October 2008.
1007
01:05:59,760 --> 01:06:01,360
It's not a controlled airport.
1008
01:06:01,440 --> 01:06:04,200
We don't clear the aircraft
to land or depart.
1009
01:06:04,280 --> 01:06:07,200
We just inform them of the weather
condition and the runway condition.
1010
01:06:08,560 --> 01:06:11,280
On that morning,
we had informed the pilot
1011
01:06:11,360 --> 01:06:16,600
there's fog below the approach level
initially, and he continued.
1012
01:06:16,680 --> 01:06:20,280
And I think he also
was caught by surprise
1013
01:06:20,360 --> 01:06:24,880
the way the fog just lifted up
and maybe he was blinded.
1014
01:06:26,440 --> 01:06:29,320
The aircraft came to final
and we could see it descend,
1015
01:06:29,400 --> 01:06:32,160
but just suddenly the fog lifted off
1016
01:06:32,240 --> 01:06:35,560
and we just expected it
to come out of it, but it didn't.
1017
01:06:35,640 --> 01:06:37,200
It just went too low.
1018
01:06:40,280 --> 01:06:41,960
We could just see flames.
1019
01:06:54,320 --> 01:06:58,480
MAN: There were 19 people on board.
18 of them died.
1020
01:07:16,320 --> 01:07:19,320
There was only one survivor,
the pilot...
1021
01:07:24,920 --> 01:07:26,440
..and he was yelling with pain.
1022
01:07:28,120 --> 01:07:31,240
The actual cause of the crash
is still undetermined,
1023
01:07:31,320 --> 01:07:34,680
but its consequence, 18 fatalities,
1024
01:07:34,760 --> 01:07:38,560
remains a constant reminder
of the perils of Lukla.
1025
01:07:44,720 --> 01:07:48,600
It's an extreme airport
because there's so many factors -
1026
01:07:48,680 --> 01:07:52,000
weather, clouds, rain,
1027
01:07:52,080 --> 01:07:55,240
icing conditions, snow.
1028
01:07:55,320 --> 01:07:57,640
Wind factor plays a big role.
1029
01:07:57,720 --> 01:07:59,960
Other reasons are the terrain.
1030
01:08:00,040 --> 01:08:03,360
It's a rugged area,
as you can see for yourself.
1031
01:08:03,440 --> 01:08:08,400
We fly through the mountains.
The other one is the upslope.
1032
01:08:08,480 --> 01:08:11,120
You have to be accurate.
1033
01:08:11,200 --> 01:08:15,760
We combine all these together,
put them in a cup,
1034
01:08:15,840 --> 01:08:19,920
drink that as a potion, and come and
land here with all that in our mind!
123223
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.