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cover of episode Cleared For Take-Off? (Tenerife Air Disaster 1)

Cleared For Take-Off? (Tenerife Air Disaster 1)

2025/1/10
logo of podcast Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
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Pushkin
旁
旁白
知名游戏《文明VII》的开场动画预告片旁白。
Topics
旁白：本集讲述了1977年特内里费空难，这是历史上最严重的航空事故。由于一系列的沟通误解和人为失误，导致两架波音747飞机在浓雾中相撞，造成583人死亡。事件始于加那利群岛大加那利岛机场发生的炸弹袭击事件，导致航班改降特内里费机场。由于机场拥挤和浓雾，以及飞行员对起飞许可的误解，最终酿成惨剧。事故调查揭示了沟通不畅、飞行员的压力以及摩西错觉等因素在事故中起到的作用。 事故中，摩西错觉导致飞行员和空中交通管制员对信息的理解存在偏差。飞行员急于起飞，没有充分确认跑道是否清空，也没有充分重视副驾驶和飞行工程师的提醒。空中交通管制员的指令也存在歧义，加剧了误解。 特内里费空难是一起警示性的事件，它凸显了在航空领域中清晰沟通、严格遵守规章制度以及飞行员的责任感的重要性。事故后，航空业加强了飞行员培训，改进沟通程序，以避免类似悲剧再次发生。 Pushkin: 我想让大家知道，历史上最致命的航空事故发生在地面上，而不是空中。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

What caused the diversion of planes to Tenerife in 1977?

A bomb threat at Gran Canaria Airport caused the diversion. Two young supporters of the Movement for the Independence and Self-Determination of the Canaries Archipelago planted a bomb in a suitcase and called the airport switchboard, leading to an evacuation and thorough search.

Why did Captain Van Zanten decide to refuel in Tenerife instead of Gran Canaria?

Captain Van Zanten decided to refuel in Tenerife to save time. He anticipated delays at Gran Canaria Airport due to the bomb threat and wanted to ensure they could return to Amsterdam without exceeding the crew's maximum duty time under Dutch law.

What role did the Moses Illusion play in the Tenerife air disaster?

The Moses Illusion, where the brain hears what it expects rather than what is actually said, played a critical role. Captain Van Zanten misheard the air traffic control clearance, believing he was cleared for takeoff when he was not, leading to the fatal collision.

How did the weather conditions contribute to the disaster?

Thick fog severely reduced visibility at Tenerife Airport, making it difficult for pilots and air traffic controllers to see the runway and other planes. This contributed to the miscommunication and collision between the KLM and Pan Am planes.

What changes were made to aviation procedures after the Tenerife disaster?

After the disaster, flight crews were trained to speak up if they believed the captain was making a mistake. Additionally, aviation phraseology was standardized to avoid confusion, such as using 'ready for departure' instead of 'ready for takeoff' and avoiding the word 'cleared' unless explicitly granting takeoff clearance.

What was the final outcome of the collision on the Tenerife runway?

The KLM plane, traveling at over 150 mph, collided with the Pan Am plane, rupturing its fuel tanks and causing a massive explosion. All 248 people on the KLM plane and 335 of the 396 on the Pan Am plane died, making it the deadliest aviation accident in history.

Chapters
A bomb threat at Gran Canaria airport forces the diversion of flights, including two Boeing 747s, to the smaller Tenerife airport. The ensuing delays and complications significantly impact the KLM flight crew's duty hours and fuel considerations.
  • Bomb threat at Gran Canaria airport
  • Flights diverted to Tenerife
  • KLM and Pan Am 747s involved
  • Delays and complications due to bomb threat

Shownotes Transcript

“Evacuate the airport, we’ve planted bombs,” a terrorist tells the telephone operator at the airport in Gran Canaria, in 1977. By the end of that day, 583 people will have lost their lives – but not to a bomb explosion.The planes are diverted to the neighboring island of Tenerife. Loaded with passengers, they’re forced to sit on the hot tarmac for hours. Meanwhile, the flight crews rely on air traffic control to keep them updated.Two Boeing 747s are waiting for thick fog to lift so that they can begin the journey home; they're anxious to receive clearance to take off. One of them has just taken on a hefty 15,000 gallons of fuel. What unfolds next is the most deadly aviation accident in history.********For a full list of sources see the show notes at timharford.com).

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