While facing the uncertainties of the new century, we would do well to remember the remarkable convergence of events and circumstances that culminated in aviation's worst disaster of the previous century--the 1977 accident that killed 583 persons when two Boeing 747s collided on the runway in Tenerife, the Canary Islands. The accident happened in visibility so poor that the three parties involved (the two flight crews and the air traffic controllers) had no visual contact. With no ground radar available, radio communications provided the only means of ensuring separation. That something went wrong with the information transfer is obvious, because one aircraft took off while the other was still on the runway.
This article will review some of the opportunities that existed to prevent the accident or to reduce the likelihood of its occurrence. This should lead to a better understanding of the most basic of human factor concepts: make it easier for yourself and others to stay out of harm's way. I will not try to cover every aspect of this accident. Readers who wish to know more details should read
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