Topic: | Re:Re:BA Flight Lands Short of Runway at Heathrow | |
Posted by: | Ken Munn | |
Date/Time: | 17/01/08 18:27:00 |
Sometime ago I saw a chart of air accident statistics related to proximity to airports. The stats were transposed onto a map of LHR. Not a pretty sight. A high number of accidents occur within a few miles of airfields - essentially, it seems, the most dangerous part of flying is take off and landing. The worst incident I can recall in terms of ground fatalities was Amsterdam in '92, when 39 people in an apartment block lost their lives. Taking a long-term view, sooner or later an LHR plane will come down on a populated area in the proximity of the airport. It may be tonight or in 50 years, but when it does happen suddenly everybody will question the wisdom of putting the world's busiest international airport so close to a huge population centre. Just don't expect this government to reach the conclusion that LHR shouldn't be there. |