Tenerife Airport disaster

The Tenerife Airport disaster occurred on March 27, 1977, when two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport, on the Spanish Island of Tenerife. The collision occurred when KLM flight 4805 initiated its takeoff run while Pan Am Flight 1736 was still on the runway. The impact and resulting fire killed everyone on board KLM 4805 and most of the occupants of Pan Am 1736, with only 61 survivors in the front section of the aircraft. Resulting in 583 fatalities, the disaster is the deadliest accident in aviation history.

A terrorist incident at Gran Canaria Airport had caused many flights to be diverted to Los Rodeos, including the two aircraft involved in the accident. The airport quickly became congested with parked airplanes blocking the only taxiway and forcing departing aircraft to taxi on the runway instead. Patches of thick fog were drifting across the airfield; hence visibility was greatly reduced for pilots and the control tower.

The subsequent investigation by Spanish Authorities concluded that the primary cause of the accident was the KLM captain’s decision to take off in the mistaken belief that a takeoff clearance from air traffic control had been issued.

(Adapted from Wikipedia).

Tenerife Airport disaster

The Tenerife Airport disaster occurred on March 27, 1977, when two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport, on the Spanish Island of Tenerife. The collision occurred when KLM flight 4805 initiated its takeoff run while Pan Am Flight 1736 was still on the runway. The impact and resulting fire killed everyone on board KLM 4805 and most of the occupants of Pan Am 1736, with only 61 survivors in the front section of the aircraft. Resulting in 583 fatalities, the disaster is the deadliest accident in aviation history.

A terrorist incident at Gran Canaria Airport had caused many flights to be diverted to Los Rodeos, including the two aircraft involved in the accident. The airport quickly became congested with parked airplanes blocking the only taxiway and forcing departing aircraft to taxi on the runway instead. Patches of thick fog were drifting across the airfield; hence visibility was greatly reduced for pilots and the control tower.

The subsequent investigation by Spanish Authorities concluded that the primary cause of the accident was the KLM captain’s decision to take off in the mistaken belief that a takeoff clearance from air traffic control had been issued.

(Adapted from Wikipedia).

Does the weather forecast affect flights?

The weather forecast is a key element of the pilot’s preflight checks and flight crew will continually update their weather information throughout a flight. There are lots of types of weather to consider.

Fog, snow, ice and crosswind mean that air traffic controllers have to increase the gap between planes that are landing, reducing the number of aircraft that an airport can manage. The same weather can make it slower and more difficult for the planes to taxi between runway and terminal building. As many commercial flights are cruising more than five miles above the ground, they can be affected by different weather than we are experiencing on the ground.

Safety is always the first consideration for the aviation industry. An aircraft that’s stood overnight in freezing weather will need de-icing before its first flight in the morning. That’s a fairly big task.

(Adapted from metoffice.gov.uk).

Does the weather forecast affect flights?

The weather forecast is a key element of the pilot’s preflight checks and flight crew will continually update their weather information throughout a flight. There are lots of types of weather to consider.

Fog, snow, ice and crosswind mean that air traffic controllers have to increase the gap between planes that are landing, reducing the number of aircraft that an airport can manage. The same weather can make it slower and more difficult for the planes to taxi between runway and terminal building. As many commercial flights are cruising more than five miles above the ground, they can be affected by different weather than we are experiencing on the ground.

Safety is always the first consideration for the aviation industry. An aircraft that’s stood overnight in freezing weather will need de-icing before its first flight in the morning. That’s a fairly big task.

(Adapted from metoffice.gov.uk).

Passenger with no flying experience lands plane after pilot

incapacitated

A passenger without any flying experience safely landed a plane at a Florida airport after the pilot became incapacitated. The Federal Aviation Administration was investigating the incident. It was believed the pilot may have suffered a medical emergency. In a statement, the FAA said two passengers were onboard the single-engine Cessna 208 when the pilot had a “possible medical issue”. One passenger steered the private plane smoothly into Palm Beach international airport. According to LiveATC.net audio, the passenger told air traffic control: “I’ve got a serious situation here. My pilot has gone incoherent and I have no idea how to fly the airplane”. The air traffic controller then asked what his position was. He replied: “I see the cost of Florida in front of me and I have no idea”. “We’re trying to locate you”, the controller said. After four minutes, air traffic control located the plane, which was off Boca Raton. The controller proceeded to guide the passenger through the descent. In a video obtained by CNN, the plane can be seen landing slowly and smoothly. In a separate recording, another air traffic controller can be heard telling pilots: “you just witnessed a couple of passengers land that plane.”

(Adapted from www.theguardian.com)

Passenger with no flying experience lands plane after pilot

incapacitated

A passenger without any flying experience safely landed a plane at a Florida airport after the pilot became incapacitated. The Federal Aviation Administration was investigating the incident. It was believed the pilot may have suffered a medical emergency. In a statement, the FAA said two passengers were onboard the single-engine Cessna 208 when the pilot had a “possible medical issue”. One passenger steered the private plane smoothly into Palm Beach international airport. According to LiveATC.net audio, the passenger told air traffic control: “I’ve got a serious situation here. My pilot has gone incoherent and I have no idea how to fly the airplane”. The air traffic controller then asked what his position was. He replied: “I see the cost of Florida in front of me and I have no idea”. “We’re trying to locate you”, the controller said. After four minutes, air traffic control located the plane, which was off Boca Raton. The controller proceeded to guide the passenger through the descent. In a video obtained by CNN, the plane can be seen landing slowly and smoothly. In a separate recording, another air traffic controller can be heard telling pilots: “you just witnessed a couple of passengers land that plane.”

(Adapted from www.theguardian.com)

Passenger with no flying experience lands plane after pilot

incapacitated

A passenger without any flying experience safely landed a plane at a Florida airport after the pilot became incapacitated. The Federal Aviation Administration was investigating the incident. It was believed the pilot may have suffered a medical emergency. In a statement, the FAA said two passengers were onboard the single-engine Cessna 208 when the pilot had a “possible medical issue”. One passenger steered the private plane smoothly into Palm Beach international airport. According to LiveATC.net audio, the passenger told air traffic control: “I’ve got a serious situation here. My pilot has gone incoherent and I have no idea how to fly the airplane”. The air traffic controller then asked what his position was. He replied: “I see the cost of Florida in front of me and I have no idea”. “We’re trying to locate you”, the controller said. After four minutes, air traffic control located the plane, which was off Boca Raton. The controller proceeded to guide the passenger through the descent. In a video obtained by CNN, the plane can be seen landing slowly and smoothly. In a separate recording, another air traffic controller can be heard telling pilots: “you just witnessed a couple of passengers land that plane.”

(Adapted from www.theguardian.com)

Passenger with no flying experience lands plane after pilot

incapacitated

A passenger without any flying experience safely landed a plane at a Florida airport after the pilot became incapacitated. The Federal Aviation Administration was investigating the incident. It was believed the pilot may have suffered a medical emergency. In a statement, the FAA said two passengers were onboard the single-engine Cessna 208 when the pilot had a “possible medical issue”. One passenger steered the private plane smoothly into Palm Beach international airport. According to LiveATC.net audio, the passenger told air traffic control: “I’ve got a serious situation here. My pilot has gone incoherent and I have no idea how to fly the airplane”. The air traffic controller then asked what his position was. He replied: “I see the cost of Florida in front of me and I have no idea”. “We’re trying to locate you”, the controller said. After four minutes, air traffic control located the plane, which was off Boca Raton. The controller proceeded to guide the passenger through the descent. In a video obtained by CNN, the plane can be seen landing slowly and smoothly. In a separate recording, another air traffic controller can be heard telling pilots: “you just witnessed a couple of passengers land that plane.”

(Adapted from www.theguardian.com)