Explanator: On this day, 2 large airplanes collided on the track, know how this terrible accident happened – eSHOP24X7

On March 27, 1977, the Rhodios Airport on Teneurif Island of Spain, now known as Taneurf North Airport, had a terrible plane accident, with two Jumbo Boeing 747 aircraft collapse. 583 people died in this accident, which makes it the most fatal accident in the history of civil aviation. This incident is still taught as a lesson in the field of air security. In this article, we will discuss the causes, developments and changes that followed this accident.

Flights deviated due to the bomb explosion

On March 27, 1977, Taneerf airport was unusually occupied. Several flights were diverted to Taneerf after a bomb explosion at a nearby carnary airport. These included 2 large passenger airplanes, Klm Flight 4805 went from Amsterdam to Las Palmas, and bread AM Flight 1736 went from Los Angeles to Las Palamas through New York. Klm’s flight had 248 passengers and crew members, while bread M had 396 people.

Let me tell you that the Rhodios was a small airport and was not ready to handle such large planes. Despite this, both planes were thrown there. That day there was a dense fog, which was a very small visibility, that is, it was very reduced, sometimes it was less than 100 meters. These climate facilities and limited airports were preparing platforms for the accident.

How was the most painful accident in the history of aviation?

The preparations began to allow both planes to fly with the hope of becoming normal around 5:00 pm local time. The ATC instructed the KLM plane to taxi at the end of the track and fly from there. At the same time, the Pan M plane was asked to leave an exit (C-3 shooting street) on the track and then wait on the shooting street, so that the KLM could find a road. But dense fog and communication disturbances made the situation complicated the situation.

Klm captain, Jacob Weldhuigen, Van Janten, who was an experienced pilot, mistakenly understood that he had received take -off approval. He asked his first officer: “He (bread m) evacuated the track?” The first officer approached the ATC, but the answer was not clear. Despite this, the captain began the takeoff. At the same time, the Pan M plane was still on the track. His pilot Victor took time to cross the C-3 shooting street, since it was difficult to understand the direction in the fog.

When Pan M Crew saw that Klm’s plane quickly approached him, he shouted on the radio and said: “We are still on the track!” By then it was too late. At 5:06 pm, Klm Boeing 747, which was trying to fly at a speed of 260 km/h, crashed with the Pan AM plane. The collision was so severe that the Klm plane jumped into the air and went to 150 meters and hit the floor quickly, causing the fire. The Pan M plane was also very damaged.

583 people lost their lives, 61 saved lives

The 248 people aboard Klm’s flight were killed in this horrible accident. At the same time, 61 of 396 people survived the Pan M plane, most of whom were sitting at the front of the plane. A total of 583 people died in the accident, which made it the most fatal plane crash in human history. The rescue operation began immediately, but Fog and Fire created many difficulties in it. People survived in this accident believed that they were saved by a miracle, and that they were not wrong.

What were the reasons for the Taneerf airport accident?

When the greatest aviation tragedy in human history was investigated, it was discovered that this incident was the result of many factors:

1. Communication disturbances: The KLM pilot did not understand the approval of takeoff. ATC’s instructions were not clear, and the radio messages created confusion.
2. Bad weather: The dense fog was almost zero to visibility, which caused the pilots not to have the opportunity to look.
3. Human error: The initial take -off of KLM captain in a hurry was considered the most important reason. They were already upset by the delay and wanted to save time.
4. Airport limits: The rhodios only had one track, and there were narrow taxis, which made it difficult to keep the plane away from each other.
5. Lack of protocol: At that time, the use of standardized communication phrases was not mandatory, causing misunderstandings.

The Pan AM plane was also ruined in the accident.

Many big changes after the accident

Tannerif’s accident shook the aviation industry, after which there were broad changes in security. Several reforms were implemented after joint research by Spain, the Netherlands and America:

1. Communication improvement: Apparent protocols were created for words such as “take off” and “clear.” Now the pilot and the ATC have to repeat all the instructions.
2. Draw resource management (CRM): The training began for better coordination between pilots and crew. The first officers had less freedom to question the captain’s decision, which has now changed.
3. Airport design: Strict rules were made for the operation of large airplanes in small airports.
4. Technical advance: The growth of the systems that increase the visibility in the radar of the soil and the fog intensified.

The accident also highlighted the deficiencies of the Tannerif airport. Later, Terif South airport was created, capable of handling large airplanes. Tannerif’s accident is represented in several documents and books. Every year on March 27, taxes are paid to the dead. A monument in Taneerf is also built. This incident remains part of the pilot training, so such tragedy does not happen in the future.