PC-12 Makes Frighteningly Low Pass for St. Bart‘s With Super Close Call

The downslope short final to the Caribbean island airport is notorious. But this is as low as it gets.

PC-12 Makes Frighteningly Low Pass for St. Bart’s
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A video shows a dangerously low approach by a Tradewind Aviation PC-12 pilot at St. Bart's airport.
  • The approach is particularly risky due to the airport's proximity to a hill and a roadway frequented by onlookers unaware of the danger.
  • The video's quality is praised, highlighting the slow-motion footage.
  • The incident is compared to other similar incidents at the same airport, emphasizing the risks of low approaches.
See a mistake? Contact us.

We’re probably all guilty of greasing it low over the threshold, on occasion. But the Tradewind Aviation PC-12 pilot in this video can give your trusty CFI nightmares for days. The airport, of course, is St. Bart’s, with its final approach shadowing the slope of the hill that shelters the airport. While videos of low approaches here are pretty common, this one goes above and beyond (or “below” and beyond?). The other defining trait of the approach is that a roadway is situated at the top of the hill, and it has, despite the literal warning signs, attracted a class of thrill seekers (note that we did not say “idiot”) who seem not to understand the danger.

We also have to offer kudos to the cameraperson for shooting in Landscape and exquisite use of the slo-mo feature!

Videos: That Famous St. Barth’s Landing Fail: Here’s How It Should Have Been Done

Plane & Pilot

Plane + Pilot is general aviation’s only adventure-based magazine. From where to go, to how to get there, and everything in between, your next great adventure awaits.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get the latest Plane & Pilot Magazine stories delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE