583 Victims

The Tenerife Disaster: A Tragedy

583 Victims

The Tenerife disaster was one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history, with 583 victims. All passengers and crew on the KLM aircraft were killed.

Runway Collision

The crash occurred on March 27, 1977, when two Boeing 747 passenger airplanes collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport in Tenerife, Canary Islands.

Cause of the Crash

The cause of the crash was a combination of factors, including poor visibility, a miscommunication between the pilots and air traffic control, and a lack of ground radar.

Investigation

An investigation into the crash was conducted by the Spanish government. The investigation found that the KLM pilot was ultimately responsible for the crash, as he failed to follow proper procedures and disregarded warnings from air traffic control.

Legacy

The Tenerife disaster has had a lasting impact on the aviation industry. It led to new safety regulations, including the requirement for ground radar at all major airports. The disaster also highlighted the importance of proper communication between pilots and air traffic control.