This accident occurred in 1977. Two Boeing 747’s collided on the runway on the
Spanish island of Tenerife. KLM Flight 4805 initiated its takeoff run while Pan Am Flight
1736 was still on the runway. The impact and resulting fire resulted in 583 fatalities.
This is the deadliest accident in aviation history.
As is often the case, the catastrophe was the result of different events which aligned to
produce the final outcome. Language and ‘assertiveness’ were certainly causal factors.
Both planes were confused over which exit to take (third or first). The Pan Am flight
crew began questioning the controller (“Maybe he meant Charlie 4?”)
TENERIFE: KLM / PANAM
This accident occurred in 1977. Two Boeing 747’s
collided on the runway on the Spanish island of
Tenerife. KLM Flight 4805 initiated its takeoff run
while Pan Am Flight 1736 was still on the runway.
The impact and resulting fire resulted in 583
fatalities. This is the deadliest accident in aviation
history.
As is often the case, the catastrophe was the result
of different events which aligned to produce the
final outcome. Language and ‘assertiveness’ were
certainly causal factors.
Both planes were confused over which exit to take
(third or first). The Pan Am flight crew began
questioning the controller (“Maybe he meant
Charlie 4?”)
TENERIFE: KLM / PANAM
