4 ms·

Ironically, the biggest 747 crash (and, IIRC, the world's deadliest airline-related disaster) happened on the ground due to air traffic controller's fault, that

Ironically, the biggest 747 crash (and, IIRC, the world's deadliest airline-related disaster) happened on the ground due to air traffic controller's fault, that directed 2 airplanes on a collision course in thick fog [0]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenerife_airport_disaster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenerife_airport_disaster

anamexis 7y ago
Small correction: it was not the air traffic controller primarily at fault, but the captain of the KLM aircraft for taking off without explicit clearance.
- john_moscow 7y ago
  IIRC, at that time there was no standard unambiguous way to communicate standard procedures and misunderstandings were often (albeit not fatal). It was after that crash when FAA introduced very strict rules on air traffic communication (e.g. the word "clearance" can only be said by the air traffic controller if the clearance is actually granted). Talk about rules written in blood.
  - sokoloff 7y ago
    "Clearance" is used in many ways to indicate that a clearance has not been granted yet (or has been revoked). From the ATC Job Order manual [0], examples include: “continue, expect landing clearance two mile final” and "CANCEL TAKEOFF CLEARANCE (reason)" What you might be thinking of is the guidance against using "takeoff", which is "Avoid using the term “takeoff” except to actually clear an aircraft for takeoff or to cancel a takeoff clearance. Use such terms as “depart,” “departure,” or “fly” in clearances when necessary" [0] - https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7110.65X_w_CHG1_CHG2_and_CHG_3.pdf https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7110.65X_w_C...
deleted 7y ago
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pcurve 7y ago
Yep... two 747 crashing. #2 deadliest is another 747 - JAL123 loaded with 520 passengers. A mid air collision killing 300+ in 90s, and air india bombing killing 350 in 80s. These crashes + lockerbie bombing add up to 2000 people. Crazy.

anamexis 7y ago

Small correction: it was not the air traffic controller primarily at fault, but the captain of the KLM aircraft for taking off without explicit clearance.

john_moscow 7y ago
IIRC, at that time there was no standard unambiguous way to communicate standard procedures and misunderstandings were often (albeit not fatal). It was after that crash when FAA introduced very strict rules on air traffic communication (e.g. the word "clearance" can only be said by the air traffic controller if the clearance is actually granted). Talk about rules written in blood.
- sokoloff 7y ago
  "Clearance" is used in many ways to indicate that a clearance has not been granted yet (or has been revoked). From the ATC Job Order manual [0], examples include: “continue, expect landing clearance two mile final” and "CANCEL TAKEOFF CLEARANCE (reason)" What you might be thinking of is the guidance against using "takeoff", which is "Avoid using the term “takeoff” except to actually clear an aircraft for takeoff or to cancel a takeoff clearance. Use such terms as “depart,” “departure,” or “fly” in clearances when necessary" [0] - https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7110.65X_w_CHG1_CHG2_and_CHG_3.pdf https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/7110.65X_w_C...

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

pcurve 7y ago

Yep... two 747 crashing. #2 deadliest is another 747 - JAL123 loaded with 520 passengers. A mid air collision killing 300+ in 90s, and air india bombing killing 350 in 80s. These crashes + lockerbie bombing add up to 2000 people. Crazy.