Seconds From Disaster Season 1 Episode 12 Collision on the Runway

Collision on the Runway is the twelfth episode of the first season of Seconds From Disaster. It delves into the deadliest aviation accident in history, the 1977 Tenerife airport disaster, which claimed the lives of 583 people.

The episode begins by highlighting the perfect storm of events that led to the tragic collision on the runway. It takes viewers behind the scenes of the air traffic control tower in Tenerife, where the stress and chaos of a delayed flight schedule combined with low visibility conditions, caused by a thick layer of fog, made for a deadly recipe.

The episode then goes on to explain how two planes, a KLM Boeing 747 and a Pan Am Boeing 747, ended up on the same runway at the same time.

The KLM aircraft, captained by the experienced and respected Jakob Van Zanten, had been delayed for several hours due to the fog. When the fog later began to lift, the captain and his crew were keen to get their passengers to their destination and beat the competition. Meanwhile, the Pan Am flight, captained by Victor Grubbs, had been rerouted to Tenerife from its intended destination due to a bomb scare.

As the KLM plane started to taxi, it collided with the Pan Am plane that was still on the runway. The impact was devastating and caused both aircrafts to explode upon impact. There were no survivors of the accident, making it the worst aviation disaster in history.

Seconds From Disaster does an excellent job of breaking down the factors that led to the crash, from human error to miscommunication to equipment failure. It provides a comprehensive look at the tragedy and the role that each element played in the disaster.

There are interviews with survivors and experts, including the air traffic controller who was on duty that fateful day, as well as details of the investigation and the changes that were made in the aftermath of the event.

It is a sobering and informative episode that goes beyond the tragedy to offer insights into the aviation industry, behavioral psychology, and the importance of communication and teamwork in high-stress situations. Collision on the Runway is a chilling and informative episode that is well worth watching for anyone interested in aviation history or disaster analysis.