Globe Cargo

"On march 27 1977, 30 years ago, the worst aircraft accident occured involving 2 747 in Tenerife. 583 persons died! Have a look at these reports, particularly the causes and have some thoughts for these people! http://youtube.com/watch?v=kmItf4Um7EA http://youtube.com/watch?v=aLYaZ3Ek8yY Luc"

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"chevol" wrote:On march 27 1977, 30 years ago, the worst aircraft accident occured involving 2 747 in Tenerife. 583 persons died! Have a look at these reports, particularly the causes and have some soughts for these people! Luc

Hi Luc, I live in Holland and as you can imagine, the accident got al lot of attention now that it is exactly 30 years ago. The Dutch television showed a documentary about the causes. It seemed that the captain of the KLM 747 was eager to take off (dutie hours limitations) and gave take off power while the FE heard the PanAm on the radio, stating that they were still taxing on the runway. But, he did not dare to abort take off because van Zanten (the Captain) had so many flight hours and was KLM chief instructor on the 747 and the FE was only a beginner so to speak. The FO and FE were aware of the Panam, but did not dare to do something. I heard that since that accident airline training has changed: there is NO boss, onnly 2 or 3 people working together. It is a team not a hierarchy. Furthermore, communication should be clear and not ambiquos. Example: "ready for departure runway 10" is confirmed by the tower: "Cleared for takeoff". In Tenerife the tower asked the KLM "Are you ready for takeoff"?? which could be understood wrongly. When KLM had to wait (refuelling and bad weather) the passengers were allowed to go to the terminal. But when they were called back, there was a girl who had a boyfriend at Tenerife and who secretly (she was not allowed) went to here boyfriend. She is the only survivor of the KLM passengers. And then ther is the story of a Spanish airfield employee. When the KLM passengers were called to return to the plane, there was a famuly (two parents and two children) missing. He went looking for them and got them on board just in time for departure. He now states that every day since the accident he wished he had not found them. Hope this never haoppens again. Take care, Wijnand"

"Luc, Its incredible how the simplest of events can cumulatively result in Disaster, at the end of the day you could put the cause down to ETA who planted the bombs that caused the diversions, but it could still have been averted if the Capt hadn,t been so bound by Company Rules ! Mike "