The collision and subsequent fire killed 583 people, with 61 survivors from the Pan Am aircraft. Amidst patches of fog at the airport, a KLM Boeing 747-200 started its takeoff run while a Pan Am Boeing 747-100 was taxiing on the same runway. The deadliest accident in aviation history occurred when two Boeing 747 aircraft collided at Los Rodeos Airport, now known as Tenerife North Airport in Tenerife, Spain. While many runway incursions do not result in any immediate safety consequences, they have occasionally led to deadly results. See the video below for air traffic control recordings of the incident: You’re currently holding short of uh 31L. JFK Tower: American 106 heavy…we’re departing runway 4…um I guess we’ll listen to the tapes, but uh…you were supposed to depart Runway 4L. When deviations occur, air traffic control will often give the pilots a phone number to call to discuss the matter.Īfter the number presumably being given, the conversation continues between the controller and the American pilots:Īmerican 106: The last clearance we were given, we were cleared to uh cross, is that correct? In this case, it appears that the American flight did not follow its assigned taxi route and instead crossed an active runway without clearance. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website provides the following information on pilot deviations: “Ground deviations can happen while taxiing, taking off, or landing without clearance, deviating from an assigned taxi route, or failing to hold short of an assigned clearance limit.” I have a number for you, advise ready to copy. JFK Tower: American 106 heavy, possible pilot deviation. The controller later speaks with the American Airlines flight: JFK Tower: Delta 1943, turn left Juliet…and um…just remain clear of Runway 4L. JFK Tower: Delta 1943, are you able to taxi or do you need a couple of minutes to run checks?ĭelta 1943: Yeah we can get off the runway, Delta 1943 The aircraft then taxis off the runway and asks for some time to complete checklists and make some phone calls:ĭelta 1943: All right and uh…phew. JFK Tower: American 106 heavy, American 106 heavy hold positionĪfter rejecting the takeoff, the Delta pilot sounds relieved. Meanwhile on the other Tower frequency, the controller instructs the American Airlines flight to stop, although it is unclear if the aircraft was on this frequency: Instead of crossing Runway 31L as cleared, the American flight crossed Runway 4L, into the takeoff path of the Delta 737.ĭue to its size and traffic volume, the airport actually has two Tower frequencies. JFK Tower: Delta 1943 cancel takeoff clearance JFK Tower: Sh*t! Delta 1943 cancel takeoff clearance

Complete flight atc audio