Why tabletop runways are extremely challenging for pilots

The recent crash of Air IndiaAir IndiaAir India Express Plane with 191 people at the Kozhikode airport has pointed out how risky tabletop runways can be. Many flight crashes have taken place due to a tabletop runway as landing can be extremely tricky and challenging for pilots. It is to note that a tabletop runway is usually made over hills after levelling the surface.

There are as many as six tabletop runways in India where landing flights is somewhat difficult as there is no additional space on the runway. Since there are many issues pertaining to safety of aircraft, crew and passengers, many international flights and Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 do not land on these airports in India.

The Kozhikode airport has a tabletop runway on top of a plateau. The runway has a steep precipice that drops into a gorge on both sides and ends. The structure is believed to have caused the crashing of an Air India Express plane as there was no margin for overshooting the runway. The plane went down the slope till around 35 feet and the impact was such that the plane was halved causing deaths of many.