[WATCH] POV video shows landing at 'America's most dangerous airport And to make matters worse, this airport offers no lights or instrument aid so in bad weather landing is impossible. Over 180 columns hold the runway up which have to withstand serious shock loading during landings. The approach isalmost at a cliff, alongside the jagged terrain of Saba and then a sharp bank left before an immediate landing. Thats a regional question that should be weighed by the larger social values of scale and compatibility where the downvalley workforce could potentially benefit. McBride described the local airport as "dangerous" and said he was . We have a record of tragedy second to none. Copyright 2023 Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE. To make things worse, one writer points out that the crosswinds here are intense, due to the airport's water-adjacent location. In the winter, its regular, weekly flights number more than 170 (not including extra flights often run during busy holiday seasons). One clear day I asked the tower if I could circle to 33 [in a Challenger] just to see what it was like, one pilot said. All Rights Reserved. Paul Andersens column appears on Mondays. [1], Aspen/Pitkin Co. Airport has more regular service from major carriers than any other regional ski town airport in North America. Just in time for summer, one of the busiest flying seasons of the year, Airfarewatchdog.com, part of the Smarter Travel Media Network, has released its picks for the scariest airports in the United States. Pilots are warned when flying in that they may have to make high-angle descents. The airport, about 230 miles west of Denver, has an elevation of 7,815 feet. Aspen doesnt make the grade but here are the best major U.S. airports. The short runway also abruptly ends at the Sea on both ends, forcing pilots to hit the brakes immediately after landing. Passengers, prepare for your ears to pop! It's no wonder: The airport sits in a high mountain bowl that requires a series of rapid "step-downs" as soon as the pilot clears the mountain range, dropping around 2,400 feet in one minute.