I’ve flown frequently from the US to Tegucigalpa (Tegus), Honduras these past 2 years. Apparently, pilots have to have “special training” to land in Tegucigalpa because it’s like in a “bowl”… meaning they have to drop down suddenly in the mountains to land. I know this, I brace for this, but every time I land I still get nervous and pray that my kids and I land safely. In fact, in May 2008 a TACA plane crashed on the runway.
Anyhow, today we fly from Miami to Tegucigalpa, and all is well and here comes the infamous landing. Now because it is right before spring break, you have more than the normal amount of Americans vs. Hondurans who are not used to this – missionaries, tourists, medical brigades, etc. The plane takes massive dips down to reach the runway in “the bowl.” There is screaming and shouting all around. More dips and screams follow. This is the first time in about 8 flights to Tegus that I have experienced this.
I am just glad this is my last flight to Tegus. We roll out of here in June via CA-1 up through Mexico to go back to the states…
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
If anybody is interested in seeing the landing in the Honduras
go to YOU TUBE and type in "aircraft cockpit views"
It should be the first video that pops up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAxAso8xSo0
I flew from Belize City to Tegucigalpa in August 1990, I really don't remember the landing but I do remember the flight. I flew on a Tan Sasha 727 and the flight took 40 minutes. I mainly remember that the 3 female flight attendants gave no service at all but just sat in the back row smoking and applying nail polish. Then when we landed the passengers were de-planed thru the front stairs while the FAs disappeared down the rear stairs and beat everyone to the terminal.