Airline Post

Tenerife, 1977: Deadliest Accident in Aviation History

Stewart — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:29:36 +0000

Two colliding Boeing 747s is probably the biggest catastrophe one could think of! On March 27, 1977, the Los Rodeos Airport (now known as Tenerife North Airport) was the scene of such a nightmare: one KLM 747-260B and one Pan Am 747-121 collided on the runway of the airport. There were 583 fatalities and just 61 survivors. Here’s the story of the deadliest crash in aviation history.

Both planes shouldn’t be at Los Rodeos Airport. Their final destination was the Gran Canaria International Airpot, which has been closed after a terrorist bomb exploded in the terminal. After that incident, on March 27, 1977, the authorities decided to close to divert all the flights to the Tenerife North Airport. More than five large aircraft were diverted that day to the Tenerife North Airport, a regional an relatively small airport that could not easily accommodate such an amount of passengers.

Pan Am flight 1736 had taken off from the LA International Airport and it had a stop at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. 14 of the 380 passengers boarded from NY and the crew, consisting of 14 members, also changed here. The Boeing 747-121, with the N736PA registration, was the first 747 delivered to Pan Am.

KLM Flight 4805 was a charter flight for the Holland International Travel Group and it had taken off 4 hours before from the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The 747-260B Boeing, with the PH-BUF registration, had 235 passengers and 14 crew members. After landing at Tenerife, one local woman decided not to re-board the plane, leaving 234 passenger on board.

While both of the planes were at Los Rodeos Airport, the authorities reopened the Gran Canaria airport. The Pan Am was ready to take off, but due to the limited size of the airport, it did not manage to do this, since the KLM 747 decided to refuel. This was another decisive coincidence, since Pan Am had to wait for the KLM aircraft departure before taking off. The KLM captain decided to save time by fuelling at Tenerife, but all the new fuel added more weight, that slightly decreased the lift-off power and the accident escape ability.

When finished, the 747 KLM taxied to the runway, being aware that the Pan Am aircraft was back-taxiing behind them, on the same runway. Both of the planes had to back-taxi the whole runway, in order to make a 180 degree turn to put the aircraft in the take off position. During all this time the weather deteriorated and the low clouds limited the visibility to only 300 m (1,000 ft). The legal visibility range for a take off was 700 m (2,300 ft) back then.

The ATC instructed the Pan Am aricraft to back-taxi as well and eventually to exit the runway through the “third exit”. Based on the recordings, the Pan Am flight crew identified the first and the second exit but nobody knows if they have sighted the third one, since these taxiways were not clearly marked. Investigations conducted after the accident concluded that exiting through the third taxi-way would be practically impossible, due to the traffic congestion at the airport, that day.

The accident was caused by a communication misunderstanding. When lined up, the captain of the KLM aircraft spined-up the engines (advancing the throttles in order to check if the engines are operating properly) and the co-pilot, surprised, asked for the ATC clearance. The ATC gave a clearance that specified the route to be followed by the KLM plane after taking off. Still, there was no specific statement regarding the “take off clearance”. The captain started rolling for taking off, the co-pilot completed the read-back at the ATC by saying “we’re now at take off… we’re now, uh, taking off” (exact citation) and the Spanish controller replied “OK”, although this is a non-standard terminology.

Due to the fog, neither crew was able to see the other plane on the runway. Neither of the aircraft was seen from the control tower, as well. The Pan Am captain spotted the KLM’s taking off lights right when the 747 was approaching. The Pan Am applied full power and attempted a sharp left turn, but the KLM’s aircraft lower fuselage hit the upper right side of the Pan Am plane, at 140 knots (160 mph). The Pan Am was ripped apart and the KLM right engines crashed on the upper deck of the Pan Am. The KLM was briefly airborne, but then the captain lost control and crashed 150 m (500 ft) after the collision, sliding another 300 m on the runway.

234 passengers and 14 crew members in the KLM plane died and 326 passengers and 9 crew members from the Pan Am jet also were killed. The 56 passengers and 5 crew members of the Pan Am flight escaped by walking onto the left wing. The fire-fighters were initially unaware that there was another plane involved in the accident. Investigation that followed this tragedy concluded the fact that KLM’s captain was the main responsible for the accident, by deciding to take off without a clearance.

The authorities installed a ground radar at the Tenerife North Airport after the accident and in 1978, Tenerife’s second and larger airport was opened. The latter serves now as the main airport of the island, although the ex-Los Rodeos Airport is still functional, serving as a low-cost carrier destination. If you’re looking for cheap flights to Tenerife, it’s most likely to land at the Tenerife Nort Airport, but do not worry. The ATC new radars, the progress of the technology and the new rigorous training methods for the cockpit crews are now considerably improved, therefore the flight safety and respecting the ground procedure is not a question of option, but a “has to” for every aircraft. Studies revealed nowadays air travel is still the safest way to travel, the human errors are causing less fatal aircraft accidents than in the past and the number of air accidents is on a decreasing trend, both in America and Europe.

Four brand new 777-300ER for British Airways!

Stewart — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:48:06 +0000

The first UK carrier to operate Boeing 777-300ER is British Airways. UK’s national airline just has taken delivery of first of the six planes on order.

The newly registered G-STBA will have a four class interior, 297 seats and it is the first aircraft delivered to BA this year. By the end of the year, two more planes should be scheduled for flights under the British Airways livery.

BA is taking three more Boeings 777 by early 2012, and the executives of the company are already proud to announce that the interior of the aircraft’s cabin has been completely modernised. The new in-flight entertainment system will also assure the customer satisfaction by providing 50% more choices on movies, television and music products, the representatives of BA say.

“It is the aircraft first to be fitted-out with our new ‘World Traveller’ and ‘World Traveller Plus’ cabins”, Willie Walsh, CEO of British Airways, says.

The 777 delivered to the UK carrier will also feature BA’s ‘First’ and ‘Club World’ interiors.

British Airways therefore becomes the third European carrier to operate 700-300ER, after Turkish Airlines and Air France-KLM. The twin-engine jet airliner is powered by a couple of General Electric 90-115B turbofans, currently the most powerful used engines in use. The range of this lovely aircraft is 7,930 nautical miles (14,690 km).

And here’s a “making of” video of the G-STBA:

How to wash a plane – the Russian style

Stewart — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:29:46 +0000

You know those old commercials when a couple of girls are passionately washing a car under the hot summer sun?

Who says that this scene could not apply when washing an aircraft? Certainly not the Russians, an especially not the Russians from AviaNova, Moscow’s newest low-cost carrier. Here’s a commercial that stars some of the company’s actual flight attendants.

Enjoy it and if your planning a trip to Russia, keep an eye on those Russian stewardesses! You never know how they might surprise you.

Ethiopian Airline plane crashes into the sea

10 Amazing Panoramas from Above

Dave — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:06:16 +0000

One of the most memorable experiences of flying — especially if you’ve never flown before – is dropping beneath the cloud-line upon approach to your destination, the city whose name is stamped upon your ticket nothing more than an impossibly small anthill below. With a clear sky and decent camera, you can capture some amazing views. However, if you were too busy covering your mouth while reaching for the nearest barf-bag, the victim of untimely turbulence, or just simply taking a nap, we’ve managed to find ten amazing panoramas of some of the world’s most beautiful cities.

1. Busy Mexico City, as seen from a Mexicana Airlines flight

2. London City and the Tower Bridge, in the center of the shot

3. View of the Niagara Falls, at the border between the United States and Canada

4. Cheerful Rio de Janeiro, as seen from a Swiss Airlines flight

5. View from the top of Helsinki, Finland’s green capital

6. Bright Dallas. Use dealchecker.co.uk to find some cheap flights to Orlando and Dallas and save up!

7. View from a plane hovering above Chicago, with its impressive skyscrapers in the center

8. Cape Town, one of the football capital of the world for 2010, as seen from a South African Airways flight

9. The island of Bahamas, with its exotic beaches and huge hotel chains

10. Australia’s Brisbane, with the Brisbane river in the center of the shot

No related posts.

5 Seriously Weird Aircrafts

Dave — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:09:11 +0000

The history of aircraft design has taken some strange turns over the years, with some of these turns resulting in spectacular successes — others, in catastrophe. However, with failure sometimes comes success, just at a later date and with better technology. As you peruse the following aircraft, though some might at first seem comical in design, be sure to consider the time at which they were constructed and how extraordinarily innovative and creative the theories behind their designs must have seemed to their colleagues. In a few of these aircraft, you may even notice traits similar to modern day aircraft.

1. VZ-9AV Avrocar

Initially a Canadian project, when funding ran short, this oddity became a US military project during the 1950′s. Due to severe instability (the aircraft looked like a hubcap and unfortunately wobbled as one might as well) when flying higher than three feet above the ground, the project was cancelled in 1961.

2. H-4 Hercules (aka. The Spruce Goose)

Ah yes, you’ve probably heard of this one. Howard Hughes’s great plans for a massive transport plane to support the war effort during WWII resulted in the creation of the H-4 Hercules. With wings longer than a football field, this mammoth aircraft did manage to take flight with Hughes himself at the controls. But longevity was not in the Goose’s future, and the behemoth was promptly stashed away in a holding hanger to be kept in flight-ready status for years. After being passed along to several homes since then, she is still on display today at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

3. Martin-Marietta X-24

So we go from mega-plane to mini-aircraft. This funky little wingless aircraft was developed as a joint effort between the US Air Force and NASA during the 60′s and 70′s to test unpowered reentry from space. The aircraft utilized vertical fins for control during its flight. While it might not look like much, this little sucker managed to reach 1036 miles per hour, and had a maximum altitude of 71,400 feet. Just goes to show you that size doesn’t always mean much when it comes to aircraft.

4. AV- 8B Harrier II

With its vertical take off and landing capabilities, the Harrier is probably the best-known and recognizable aircraft on this list. Maybe not so weird looking and interesting in concept or design, the Harrier combines the vertical abilities that its predecessors in the Tailsitter family once sought, with the technological advancements to make their dreams a reality.

A combined effort between Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and British Aerospace, the Harrier AV-8B’s first flight was in November of 1981. As the ‘Most forward deployed tactical strike aircraft in combat,’ and with the capabilities to launch AGM-84 Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and AIM-7 Sparrow AAMs, this weird aircraft has the experience and firepower to back up it’s uncommon design.

5. Vought V-173 (aka. Flying Pancake)

Its nickname says it all. This propeller driven contraption with a wood and fabric frame, developed by Charles Zimmerman, was first flown on November 23, 1942. It never had much success though in the 131 hours of flight time it accumulated, and it now sits in the Smithsonian Institution’s Air Museum.

Elisa is a freelance travel writer for FrequentFlyerCreditCards.com.au where you can get airline loyalty reviews, read Australian airport guides and compare credit cards for frequent flyers.

Record 28 hours delay for WizzAir

Lufthansa vs. Emirates

Stewart — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:04:37 +0000

The war between Lufthansa and Emirates continues with the newest accusations form Dubai’s airline. Emirates claim that Lufthansa is blocking their access in Germany by distributing a document that contains misleading facts about them, such as: false facts about Emirates business model, an inaccurate number of flights that Emirates makes to the country and the carrier’s rights to land in Germany.

At the moment, Emirates Airlines cannot fly from Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich. For years in a row, Emirates is trying to get rights to land in Berlin and Stuttgart, but Lufthansa’s fear of a carrier that offers cheap flights to Dubai has been setting the rules when talking about the flights from Germany to the UAE.

In April, Lufthansa accused Emirates of trying to divert the airline traffic from the European country to the UAE. Lufthansa also suggested that offering more landing rights to the Emirates Airlines would mean a loss of German jobs to Dubai. Emirates argue that a bigger presence in Germany would imply more economic benefits for the country. Emirates is already supporting the German economy, since its recent order of Airbus 380 contributes directly and indirectly to tens of thousands of German workers.

Emirates accused Lufthansa of distributing the above-mentioned document not just to policy makers, but to media as well. As a reply, Dubai’s airline made its own anti-protectionist report, suggestively named: “Tearing Down the Other Wall”.

Is it already too much or the German restrictions imposed to an Arab airline might sound a bit too racist?

Source: The National.

Starcraft II takes off with Korean Air

Stewart — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:09:19 +0000

Blizzard Entertainment and Korean Air signed a historical pact for the gaming industry and aviation. The release of Starcraft II will now be promoted through two special liveries on a 747 and a 737NG.

Between July and December, don’t act surprised if you’ll see Jim Raynor, the main character of the famous game, on a Korean Air jet. These two special Boeing will be flying both domestic and international routes, therefore if you want to spot them, make sure you’ll keep an eye for the inbound flights from Korea!

Moreover, on the ground, four limousine buses of the same Korean Air will be skinned with different Starcraft II symbols, for the same period. Considering the fact that the planes will spend more time in the air than on the ground, this sounds like a better investment, doesn’t it?

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Korean Air, Korea’s leading airline, on this campaign. As we approach the global launch of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, this promotion represents a unique, large-scale opportunity to introduce the characters and style of the StarCraft universe to gamers throughout the world.”, says Paul Sams, COO at Blizzard Entertainment.

Here’s a making-of video for the newest livery in Korean Air’s fleet:

Before flying, throw away your pet

Dave — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:10:06 +0000

When traveling by air, everyone of us probably knows what you should bring with you in your carry-on – no liquids, no food, no lighters and so on. But there probably are some rules that aren’t quite as straightforward as you might think. A girl traveling with her 2-inch pet was taken off the flight because she wanted to fly with her tiny pet.

On an AirTran Airways flight from Milwaukee to Atlanta last week, Carley Helm and her two sisters were instructed by the airline personnel to get rid of the turtle before being allowed back on board. The sisters threw their animal in the trash and returned to their seats crying.

While the girls said they were told to throw away the turtle, AirTran employees said they offered the girls to fly later at no extra charge. “I asked, ‘What do you mean get rid of it?’ and they said throw it away,” Carley said.

Luckily the story had a happy ending and the girls took their pet back after two days.

Ryanair under investigation faces a €4.5M fine

Roman — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:26:47 +0000

The French newspaper Le Figaro has revealed that Ryanair has been under investigation for several months now in regards to illegal worker contracts in France. Like EasyJet recently, Ryanair is “accused of failing to declare workers”, about 120 employees. However, Ryanair could have to pay much more compensation than the orange airline.

Indeed,while EasyJet finally ended up paying 1, 5M Euros, Ryanair’s penalties could reach €4,5M. Throughout the process, in order to lower its costs and fees, Ryanair has been using the same strategy as easyJet, which is to take advantage of the lower protection and charges of British Law/Irish law.It seems Ryanair’s streak of bad luck is not over. Ryanair is also under investigation regarding public subsidies, an Irish Times article reported just last week end. Gerry Byrne points tells the truth about the Ryanair business model, exposing just how Ryanair gets such important financial support from publics authorities.

In France, Air France has already filed a complaint against Ryanair, and it is now Lufthansa’s turn to express its discontent over the Lubeck public authorities having signed a new two-year agreement with the Irish airline. The amount of subsidies however has not been published. Ryanair is currently under investigation in relation to 7 airports over what Lufthansa calls “questionable subsidies”.

Uzbekistan Airways Fail

Dave — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:12:33 +0000

Uzbekistan Airways, a company we haven’t covered here (for obvious reasons) has a slogan that makes you think twice before boarding. Is this how it was meant to be?

(source)