Ep 3. Disaster at Tenerife

On the third episode of Air Disasters season 16, we take a closer look at the worst aviation disaster in history, the Tenerife airport disaster. In 1977, two Boeing 747s collided on the runway of Los Rodeos Airport, resulting in the death of 583 people.

The episode delves into the series of events that led up to the disaster at Tenerife. It goes back to the day before the incident, when a bomb went off at Gran Canaria Airport, causing all incoming flights to be diverted to nearby Los Rodeos Airport. As a result, the small airport became overcrowded with planes and people, straining the limited resources of the airport staff.

The focus then shifts to the day of the disaster and the two planes involved. One was a charter flight operated by Dutch airline KLM, while the other was a scheduled flight operated by Pan Am. Both planes were ready to depart, but the Pan Am flight was still waiting for clearance from air traffic control.

As the Pan Am flight was given clearance to taxi down the runway, the KLM flight was instructed to taxi towards the same runway for takeoff. Due to a communication breakdown and a series of errors by both air traffic control and the pilots of the KLM flight, the KLM plane started its takeoff without proper clearance.

The Pan Am flight, still on the runway, saw the KLM plane approaching and tried to steer clear, but it was too late. The two planes collided, resulting in a massive explosion and fireball. The impact killed all 248 passengers and crew on board the Pan Am flight, while 335 passengers and crew on board the KLM flight also lost their lives.

The episode also explores the aftermath of the disaster, as investigations were conducted to determine what went wrong and who was at fault. It was discovered that miscommunication and confusion were major factors in the tragedy, including the use of non-standard phraseology by air traffic control and KLM pilots.

The disaster at Tenerife ultimately led to major changes in aviation practices and procedures, including the use of standardized phraseology and clearer communication protocols. The episode also highlights the lessons learned from this tragedy, stressing the importance of proper training, communication, and situational awareness to prevent future disasters.

Overall, Air Disasters season 16 episode 3 offers a compelling and detailed account of the Tenerife airport disaster, providing insight into the series of events that led up to the tragedy and its lasting impact on aviation safety.