The Tenerife Airport Disaster

The Tenerife Airport Disaster was a tragic aviation accident on March 27, 1977, when two Boeing 747 jumbo jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport). Due to fog and miscommunication, both pilots believed the other had cleared to take off. The first aircraft started to accelerate for takeoff, while the second was taxiing on the same runway. The result was a catastrophic crash that killed 583 people, making it the deadliest aviation accident in history. The disaster highlighted the importance of clear communication and proper safety procedures in aviation.