On March 27, 1977, aviation history witnessed its deadliest disaster at Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport) in the Canary Islands. Two Boeing 747 jumbo jets — operated by KLM and Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) — collided on the runway, resulting in the deaths of 583 people.
The tragedy unfolded when both planes were diverted to Tenerife due to a terrorist bombing at their original destination, Gran Canaria Airport. Los Rodeos was a small airport and quickly became overcrowded with the sudden influx of large aircraft. Thick fog set in, severely reducing visibility. Communication misunderstandings between air traffic control and the flight crews added to the confusion.
As the fog worsened, the KLM 747, preparing for takeoff, mistakenly believed it had been cleared for departure. Meanwhile, the Pan Am 747 was taxiing on the same runway, looking for an exit. In the dense fog, neither crew could see the other. Tragically, the KLM aircraft accelerated down the runway and collided with the Pan Am jet at high speed.
The impact was catastrophic. The KLM plane became airborne briefly before crashing back down, erupting in flames. Most of the passengers and crew aboard the KLM flight perished. On the Pan Am aircraft, a few survivors managed to escape before the fire consumed the plane, but the majority did not survive.
Investigations later revealed that miscommunication, weather conditions, and human error were key factors in the disaster. It led to major changes in aviation communication protocols, including the use of standardized English phrases to prevent misunderstandings.
The Tenerife airport collision remains the deadliest accident in aviation history, a sobering reminder of the critical importance of clear communication and proper procedures in ensuring flight safety.
