The sequence of Events that led this this Disaster. True Story
March 27 1977, Two planes Pan Am 1736 and the dutch KLM 4805 are going into the Gran Canaria Airport, in the Canary Islands. A terrorist bombing happened as the planes were heading into the airport. The effect caused Gran Canaria Airport to Shut down and force all flights into the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands.
KLM 4805 and PA 1736 were diverted in the Tenerife island, along with many other flights. The KLM flight was instructed to go first in landing followed by the Pan Am. As Los Rodeos Airport was handling more Planes as Usual, they decided to make the runway as a taxi-way. Meanwhile KLM decided to take the passengers in the terminal. Pan Am was going to take them next, but the terminal is already full. After a couple of hours, Gran Canaria Airport reopens. KLM decided to refuel first, but after the reopening, the plans backfired. Then the Controller decided to take both of that "Jumbo Jets" and Takeoff, The fog has rolled in as planned. They thought that after these Planes, it will go back as usual. It was instructed so that Pan Am will Follow KLM, go to the "third one Charlie 3". While KLM will do a 180, Then takeoff. But a misunderstanding in the Pan-Am crew was unfamiliar, and confused by the airport. After figuring out "the third one, 1 2 3 the third one" C3, they decided it was too difficult for a 747 to do a 143 degree turn 2 times. The Pan Am crew decided to continue to the C4, it was much easier to do a 45 degree turn for a 747. Meanwhile the KLM crew Begins the take off roll while Pan Am was still taxiing in the runway. Covered by Heavy Fog, The first officer reminds him. Captain said "Yeah i know that, go ahead and ask.". The First Officer said, The Air Traffic Controller said that after "Take Off, Climb into 2, Turn Right heading Las Palmas." The KLM captain thought that was a take-off clearance and throttles up. Then the Pan Am crew thought they saw a Moving Aircraft. Then when it did, they throttled up and begins turning right. The KLM Captain then Pulls the yoke, Tail Striking the Plane. The Plane finally Lift off, but it was too late, it hit the Pan Am Flight. Everyone in the KLM flight didnt survive. Some in the Pan Am survived and was able to escape. 61 survived.
Investigation
The Spanish Report Concluded that it was the Decision of the Captain in the mistakenly thought "Takeoff Clearance" after saying "After Takeoff, Climb 2 Turn right heading Las Palmas". One of the recommendations show that say "After Departure" if "After Takeoff", say Takeoff when you want to say "Takeoff Clearance".
The Dutch Report Concluded that it was the Miscommunication and Language. A Spanish Air Traffic Controller trying to speak Aviation English.
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The sequence of Events that led this this Disaster.
True StoryMarch 27 1977, Two planes Pan Am 1736 and the dutch KLM 4805 are going into the Gran Canaria Airport, in the Canary Islands. A terrorist bombing happened as the planes were heading into the airport. The effect caused Gran Canaria Airport to Shut down and force all flights into the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands.
KLM 4805 and PA 1736 were diverted in the Tenerife island, along with many other flights. The KLM flight was instructed to go first in landing followed by the Pan Am. As Los Rodeos Airport was handling more Planes as Usual, they decided to make the runway as a taxi-way. Meanwhile KLM decided to take the passengers in the terminal. Pan Am was going to take them next, but the terminal is already full. After a couple of hours, Gran Canaria Airport reopens. KLM decided to refuel first, but after the reopening, the plans backfired. Then the Controller decided to take both of that "Jumbo Jets" and Takeoff, The fog has rolled in as planned. They thought that after these Planes, it will go back as usual. It was instructed so that Pan Am will Follow KLM, go to the "third one Charlie 3". While KLM will do a 180, Then takeoff. But a misunderstanding in the Pan-Am crew was unfamiliar, and confused by the airport. After figuring out "the third one, 1 2 3 the third one" C3, they decided it was too difficult for a 747 to do a 143 degree turn 2 times. The Pan Am crew decided to continue to the C4, it was much easier to do a 45 degree turn for a 747. Meanwhile the KLM crew Begins the take off roll while Pan Am was still taxiing in the runway. Covered by Heavy Fog, The first officer reminds him. Captain said "Yeah i know that, go ahead and ask.". The First Officer said, The Air Traffic Controller said that after "Take Off, Climb into 2, Turn Right heading Las Palmas." The KLM captain thought that was a take-off clearance and throttles up. Then the Pan Am crew thought they saw a Moving Aircraft. Then when it did, they throttled up and begins turning right. The KLM Captain then Pulls the yoke, Tail Striking the Plane. The Plane finally Lift off, but it was too late, it hit the Pan Am Flight. Everyone in the KLM flight didnt survive. Some in the Pan Am survived and was able to escape. 61 survived.
Investigation
The Spanish Report Concluded that it was the Decision of the Captain in the mistakenly thought "Takeoff Clearance" after saying "After Takeoff, Climb 2 Turn right heading Las Palmas". One of the recommendations show that say "After Departure" if "After Takeoff", say Takeoff when you want to say "Takeoff Clearance".
The Dutch Report Concluded that it was the Miscommunication and Language. A Spanish Air Traffic Controller trying to speak Aviation English.
Documentaries
Backstory and Survivor Accounts "Crash of the Century" Film:
https://youtu.be/Y6X1xgKuHnc
Smithsonian / National Geographic Investigation version:
https://fb.watch/a0cKflMEzx/
@Theplaneexpert10 Woah i never thought you'd reply, plus a pin. Im never that excited than those
OMG TYSM FOR THE PIN, i also love your planes a lot man! Keep it up.@AirCrashInvestigationFLR thank you for telling everyone how it happened!