TENERIFE 1977
AIRPORT DISASTER
Tenerife
• Location: Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands, an
autonomous community of Spain, situated in the
Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa.
• Geography: The island is characterized by a diverse
landscape that includes volcanic peaks, mountainous
regions, and beautiful beaches.
Date: March 27, 1977
• Location: Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport), one of the two main airports on Tenerife.
• Circumstances: The Tenerife Airport Disaster is known for being the deadliest aviation accident in history. It
involved a collision between two Boeing 747 jumbo jets, one operated by KLM 4805 and the other by Pan
American World Airways 1736 (Pan Am).
KLM Flight 4805
KLM Flight 4805
KLM Flight 4805 was a charter flight for Holland International Travel Group and had arrived from Amsterdam Airport
Schiphol, Netherlands.Its cockpit crew consisted of Captain Jacob Veldhuyzen van Zanten.
• The aircraft was a Boeing 747-206B, registration PH-BUF, named Rijn (Rhine). The KLM jet was carrying 14 crew
members and 235 passengers, including 52 children. Most of the KLM passengers were Dutch.
Pan Am Flight 1736
Pan Am Flight 1736 had originated at Los Angeles International Airport, with an intermediate stop at New York's John F.
Kennedy International Airport (JFK). With 380 passengers (mostly of retirement age, but including two children), 14 had
boarded in New York, where the crew was also changed. All but five passengers onboard the aircraft were Americans; the non-
American passengers were all Canadian nationals. The new crew consisted of Captain Victor Grubbs (age 56).
First Domino: Diversion of Flights to Los Rodeos
Bomb Threat at Gran Canaria Airport:
• The initial domino in the Tenerife Airport Disaster was the bomb threat at Gran Canaria Airport on March 27,
1977.
• The threat prompted the closure of Gran Canaria Airport and the suspension of all flights in and out of the
airport.
• In response to the closure, several incoming flights, including those originally bound for Gran Canaria, were
diverted to alternative airports.
Second Domino: Congestion at Los Rodeos due to
Limited Parking Space
Limited Infrastructure at Los Rodeos
• Los Rodeos Airport, designed for regional flights and not equipped to handle a large number of international flights, had
limited parking space and taxiways.
Congestion on Taxiways and Parking Areas
• With insufficient parking space, aircraft were directed to taxiways and non-designated areas, leading to congestion on the
ground.
Third Domino: The Dense Fog at Los Rodeos
Adverse Weather Conditions:
• On the day of the Tenerife Airport Disaster, Los Rodeos Airport was enveloped in dense fog.
• The fog significantly reduced visibility on the ground and along the runway, creating hazardous conditions for aircraft
movements.
Limited Visibility due to Dense Fog
• Concurrently, dense fog covered the airport, further reducing visibility for both pilots and air traffic controllers
• High Workload and Stress
• Communication Challenges
• Coordination Difficulties
Increased Complexity for Air Traffic Control:
• Air traffic controllers had to rely more heavily on instrument readings and radio communications to manage ground
movements.
• The combination of limited visibility and congested frequencies added complexity to the coordination and
communication between the control tower and aircraft on the ground.
Fourth Domino: Miscommunication Between KLM and
Pan Am Crews:
Similar-Sounding Radio Frequencies:
• The air traffic control frequencies and communication channels at Los Rodeos Airport were congested due to the high
volume of diverted flights.
• Both KLM and Pan Am crews were operating on similar-sounding radio frequencies, contributing to confusion.
Unclear Instructions and Misinterpretations:
• As a result of the crowded frequencies, air traffic controllers had difficulties in delivering clear and concise instructions to
individual aircraft.
• Miscommunications occurred between the KLM and Pan Am flight crews and the air traffic controllers, leading to
misunderstandings of each other's positions and intentions.
Language Barriers:
• Language differences added complexity, as the KLM crew primarily spoke Dutch, and the air traffic controllers primarily
spoke Spanish.
• The language barrier further hindered effective communication, increasing the risk of misunderstandings.
Fifth Domino: The Runway Incursion and Collision
Initiation of Takeoff by KLM:
• Despite the miscommunication and lack of proper clearance, the KLM aircraft, under the command of Captain Jacob Van
Zanten, initiated its takeoff roll.
• The decision to take off was made without visual confirmation of the Pan Am aircraft's position due to the dense fog.
Presence of Pan Am Aircraft on the Runway:
• Simultaneously, the Pan Am aircraft, under the command of Captain Victor Grubbs, was taxiing on the same runway.
• The Pan Am crew was unaware of the KLM aircraft's takeoff attempt due to limited visibility.
Collision on the Runway:
• The KLM aircraft, accelerating for takeoff, collided with the Pan Am aircraft on the runway.
• The collision resulted in a massive fire, leading to the destruction of both aircraft.
4 8 05
KLM
PAN AM 1736 TAXIWAYS
RUNWAY
Casualities:
583
KLM:
14 Crew &
234 Passengers
all Dead
Pan Am:
16 Crew (9 Dead)
380 Passengers (326 Dead)
Investigation
The accident was investigated by Spain's Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC).
About 70 personnel were involved in the investigation, including representatives from the United States, the
Netherlands and the two airline companies. Facts showed that there had been misinterpretations and false assumptions
before the accident. Analysis of the CVR transcript showed that the KLM pilot thought that he had been cleared for
takeoff, while the Tenerife control tower believed that the KLM 747 was stationary at the end of the runway, awaiting
takeoff clearance.
Wreckage of the Pan Am Boeing 747
Preventive Measures
Improved Communication Protocols:
• Develop and implement clear and standardized communication protocols for air traffic controllers and flight crews.
• Emphasize the importance of precise and unambiguous language to avoid misunderstandings.
Standardized Radio Frequencies:
• Establish and adhere to standardized radio frequencies, particularly in busy and congested airport environments.
• Ensure that air traffic controllers and flight crews are aware of and consistently use the designated frequencies.
Enhanced Navigation Systems:
• Invest in advanced navigation systems, including ground-based radar and instrument landing systems (ILS), to assist pilots during low-visibility conditions.
• Implement and continuously update technology that enhances situational awareness for both air traffic controllers and flight crews.
Improved Airport Infrastructure:
• Enhance airport infrastructure, including increased parking space, improved taxiways, and advanced warning systems.
• Design airports to minimize the risk of runway incursions and collisions, especially during diversions and emergencies.
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