St Louis Lambert Intl — Safety History & Runway Risks
NTSB accident analysis for KSTL: 9 events analyzed
St Louis, MO · 617.3 ft MSL · 4 runways
Based on 9 NTSB events at KSTL (St Louis Lambert Intl), the most important risks for pilots are:
- Crosswind and Gusty Wind Control. The February 2016 EMB-145 event involved strong gusting crosswinds (winds 030 at 22 gusting 27 knots) that caused both wingtips to strike the runway. The NTSB cited the crew's failure to select a more favorable runway. GA pilots at KSTL should evaluate all available runway options relative to wind direction, as the runway complex offers headings of 063/243 and 122/302.
- Wet Runway Hydroplaning on Landing Roll. The most recent event (June 2021, Piper PA 46-350P) involved a pilot losing directional control during the landing roll due to hydroplaning conditions in VMC with wind from 240 at 12 knots. Hydroplaning is possible even in non-extreme conditions when pavement is wet; KSTL's long concrete runways do not eliminate this risk.
- Bird Strike Hazard. Three of the 9 events (2013, 2019, 2013) involved bird strikes causing substantial or minor damage — including a Cessna 402 that took a bird through a prop and into the horizontal stabilizer on short final in July 2019, and a Southwest 737 that ingested two mallard ducks after takeoff in December 2013. Bird activity is documented across multiple seasons and phases of flight (departure climb and short final).
Source: NTSB accident records analyzed by Tropiq. Updated 4/14/2026.
Safety History
9 eventsKSTL has recorded 9 NTSB events from 2008–2021 with no fatalities and only 2 serious injuries, both involving airline operations (evacuation slide failure, turbulence). The airport's primary risks for GA pilots center on bird strikes, crosswind/gusty-wind control, and wet runway hydroplaning — all of which have caused substantial damage at this field. Activity has been very low in recent years, with only one event since 2020, suggesting the historical patterns rather than a current crisis define the risk picture.
Nine NTSB events over 13 years with zero fatalities reflects a relatively low-severity record for a major Class B airport. The majority of events involved commercial or Part 135 operations, though three events are directly relevant to GA pilots (Piper PA-46, Beech 200, Beech 1900D).
- •Bird strikes are the most frequently recurring event type, appearing in 3 of 9 events across multiple years and seasons
- •No events involved IMC as a primary causal factor — most occurred in VMC or were weather-adjacent (gusty winds, wet runway)
- •Landing and approach phase accounts for the majority of events
- •Winter months (December, February) account for 4 of 9 events, suggesting heightened vigilance is warranted in that season
- •No fatal accidents in the dataset; all serious injuries involved airline-specific factors (turbulence, evacuation equipment)
Runway Analysis
Key Risks
Common Causes
Seasonal Patterns
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database. Analysis generated 2026-04-14. This data is provided for flight planning awareness and does not replace official safety briefings.
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