Tenerife Tragerdy

On Sunday, March 27, 1977 is one day that whole world stunned because of the catastrophic accident happened in The Tenerife airport at Spain. It was known as deadliest aviation disaster of any kind. Two Boeing 747 passenger aircraft collided on the runway. 583 people died and only 61 people were able to survive.

After a bomb exploded at Gran Canaria Airport, Spain many aircraft were diverted to Tenerife. Two aircraft involved in the accident KLM Flight 4805 and Pan Am Flight 1736 were also among them.
There was a threat of second bomb attack to Gran Canaria airport which resulting many airplanes being diverted to small Tenerife airport. Dense fog developed at Tenerife which reducing visibility.

Jacob Veldhuyzen 
van Zanten

The KLM jumbo was under the command of Capt. Jacob Veldhuyzen van Zanten. He is experienced pilot so popular and photogenic that the airline used him both in its marketing materials and as a de facto company spokesman. Although He was KLM's most experienced 747 pilot, he had spent most of his time recently in simulators, training other pilots for the service. Pan Am 1736 was piloted by Capt. Victor Grubbs, who came aboard when the plane made an intermediate stop in New York.

Gran Canaria reopened. Both 747s need to take off. The fog was so thick and visibility on the ground was poor. Neither aircraft could see the other, nor could the controller in the tower see the runway or the two 747s on it. Controller to identify the location of each airplane was only via voice reports over the radio.

Victor Grubbs

Both captains were eager to get going, especially Grubbs, who had already flown for eight hours and was tired. KLM 4805 pilot had gassed up and was maneuvering toward takeoff himself. He was aware of the Pan Am jumbo, but had no visual contact because of the fog. He asked for takeoff clearance and was told to stand by. Whether he misheard the instruction, or ignored it, van Zanten proceeded to go. KLM flight attempted to take off while the Pan Am flight was still on the runway. The resulting collision devastated both aircraft, killing all 248 aboard the KLM flight and 335 aboard the Pan Am flight. 61 people aboard the Pan Am flight, including the pilots and flight engineer, survived the disaster.