Lois Larson
On March 27, 1977, two Boeing 747 jumbo jets, KLM Flight 4805 and Pan Am Flight 1736, collided at Tenerife's Los Rodeos Airport, resulting in a tragic loss of 583 lives. The accident, known as the Tenerife airport disaster, remains the deadliest aviation accident in history. Only 71 people escaped from the Pan Am wreckage, with 61 surviving. Among the survivors were Pan Am co-pilot Captain Robert Bragg, flight attendants Suzanne Donovan, Joan Jackson, and Dorothy Kelly, and passenger Joani Holt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of accident | 27 March 1977 |
| Number of survivors | 71 |
| Names of survivors | Suzanne Donovan, Joan Jackson, Joani Holt, Dorothy Kelly, Robert Bragg, Bob Bragg, Francoise Colbert de Beaulieu |
| Number of fatalities | 583 |
| Aircraft involved | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flight 4805, Pan Am Flight 1736 |
| Location | Los Rodeos Airport, Tenerife |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Co-pilot Captain Robert Bragg survived
On March 27, 1977, the deadliest aviation accident in history occurred at Tenerife's Los Rodeos Airport. A KLM Boeing 747 initiated takeoff without air traffic control clearance and collided with a Pan Am 747 that was still on the runway, resulting in 583 fatalities. All passengers and crew on the KLM aircraft perished, and only 71 people survived from the Pan Am plane.
Co-pilot Captain Robert Bragg was one of the lucky survivors of the Tenerife airport disaster. He was the co-pilot (first officer) on board the Pan Am Flight 1736 747. Bragg was the last surviving flight crew member from the Pan Am plane, as all three members from the KLM crew died in the accident, and the other two Pan Am crew members passed away years later.
Bragg was born on September 14, 1937, in York, Alabama, and grew up in Mobile, Alabama. After graduating from high school in 1955, he attended Auburn University, graduating in 1959. Bragg then joined the US Air Force, where he flew the C-121C Connie and later transitioned to the C-130E Hercules. During his four years in the Air Force, he accumulated approximately 3000 hours of flight time and participated in various missions, including the Mercury astronaut recovery program.
After leaving the Air Force, Bragg pursued a career in commercial aviation. He approached Eastern Airlines and Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) about pilot positions. Despite some initial setbacks, he eventually secured a job with Pan Am, where he was working at the time of the Tenerife disaster.
Bragg's survival of the Tenerife airport disaster is a remarkable story of resilience and courage. His experience as a military and commercial pilot, as well as his quick thinking and composure under extreme pressure, likely contributed to his ability to survive the tragic event.
Hamburg's Main Airport: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
71 people escaped from the Pan Am wreckage
On March 27, 1977, a KLM Boeing 747 initiated takeoff without air traffic control clearance and collided with a Pan Am 747 that was waiting on the runway at Tenerife's Los Rodeos Airport. This accident resulted in 583 fatalities, making it the deadliest aviation accident in history. While no one on the KLM aircraft survived, 71 people escaped from the Pan Am wreckage, with 61 of them surviving their injuries.
Among the survivors were flight attendants Suzanne Donovan, Joan Jackson, and Dorothy Kelly, who crawled through the twisted cabin looking for passengers after the cabin floor collapsed. Dorothy Kelly refused immediate treatment for a head wound and instead helped medics with burn victims before realizing she had also broken her arm. In the aftermath of the disaster, Kelly continued to fly and provided support to grieving families during subsequent disasters, including Pan Am 103 at Lockerbie and the 9/11 attacks.
Another survivor, Joani (formerly known as Joan Holt), was a 27-year-old divorced mother of a 3-year-old daughter and a former police officer. She had taken a dream vacation with Jack Ridout, with whom she was romantically involved. Following the disaster, Joani received a $15,000 settlement, half of which went to a lawyer. She experienced periodic depression and found that work was the best cure. Joani has flown dozens of times since the disaster and always makes herself aware of the exits and her proximity to them.
Captain Robert Bragg, the co-pilot of the Pan Am plane, was also among the lucky survivors. He shared his story in a documentary about the accident, recalling how he stood in the fog surrounded by stunned and bleeding survivors, watching his plane burn. Bob Bragg, the last surviving pilot of Tenerife, passed away in February 2017.
Chase Rewards: Airports to Partner With
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Joani, a former police officer, survived
On March 27, 1977, a horrific disaster struck Tenerife's Los Rodeos Airport, leaving 583 people dead. It was the deadliest aviation accident in history, resulting from the collision of two Boeing 747s on the runway. Among the lucky few who survived was Joani, a former police officer whose incredible story of resilience and courage in the face of tragedy is truly inspiring.
Joani, whose name at the time was Joan Holt, was a 27-year-old divorced mother to a 3-year-old daughter. An avid runner and employee of a building designer in San Diego, she had embarked on a dream vacation with her partner, Jack Ridout. They took off from Los Angeles, headed for the Mediterranean. Little did they know that their flight, Pan Am 1736, would be diverted to Los Rodeos Airport due to a bombing at another airport.
As one of the 71 survivors from the Pan Am wreckage, Joani found herself in a situation no one should ever experience. She recalled climbing through the twisted debris, making her way over the side of the burning plane. The trauma of that day left its mark on Joani, and she later shared that she suffered from periodic depression and experienced challenges in her personal life. She even acknowledged that the disaster might have impacted her marriages.
Despite the trauma, Joani demonstrated incredible strength and resilience. She sought comfort in work, finding it to be therapeutic and healthy for her well-being. Remarkably, she continued to fly, though she always kept in mind the location of the exits and projected her thoughts forward to focus on her plans after landing safely. Joani's ability to confront her fears and continue with her life serves as a testament to her courage and determination.
The story of Joani, a former police officer who survived the Tenerife airport disaster, is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Her experience showcases the impact of traumatic events on survivors and how they can shape their lives in profound ways. Joani's journey inspires us to find strength in the face of adversity and to never lose hope, even in the darkest of times.
Airport Scanners: Unveiling the Technology Behind Security Checks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Francoise Colbert de Beaulieu and Dorothy Kelly were flight attendants who survived
On 27 March 1977, the Tenerife Airport Disaster claimed 583 lives, making it the deadliest aviation accident in history. A KLM Boeing 747 initiated takeoff without air traffic control clearance and collided with a Pan Am 747 that was waiting on the runway. No one on the KLM plane survived, and only 71 people escaped from the Pan Am aircraft, including some of the flight attendants.
Among the surviving flight attendants were Francoise Colbert de Beaulieu and Dorothy Kelly. De Beaulieu was the Senior Purser that day and asked to swap places with Purser Dorothy Kelly, who was working at the back of the plane. De Beaulieu was concerned that her French accent would hinder her public announcements, so she moved Kelly to first class, unknowingly saving her life.
De Beaulieu's quick thinking and bravery in the face of danger exemplify the resilience and dedication of flight attendants. In the aftermath of the disaster, their role in assisting survivors and offering comfort cannot be overstated.
Dorothy Kelly's survival is particularly notable, as she not only endured a head wound and a broken arm but also demonstrated remarkable courage and compassion. She refused immediate treatment and instead chose to assist medics in tending to burn victims. In the following days, Kelly continued to visit passengers in the hospital, embodying the spirit of service that defines flight attendants.
The Tenerife Disaster serves as a stark reminder of the importance of aviation safety and the crucial role of flight attendants in ensuring the well-being of passengers. The survival stories of Francoise Colbert de Beaulieu and Dorothy Kelly highlight the resilience and selflessness that characterize those dedicated to protecting others in times of crisis.
San Leandro, CA: Which Airport to Choose?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The first aircraft to land was a US Air Force C-130 transport
The Tenerife Airport Disaster, which occurred on March 27, 1977, is the deadliest aviation accident in history, resulting in 583 fatalities. A KLM Boeing 747 initiated takeoff without air traffic control clearance and collided with a Pan Am 747 that was waiting on the runway. No one on the KLM aircraft survived, but remarkably, 71 people escaped from the Pan Am plane, with 61 of them surviving.
The first aircraft to arrive at the scene of the disaster was a US Air Force C-130 transport, which landed on the airport's main taxiway at 12:50 on March 29. The C-130 was arranged by Lt. Col Dr. James K. Slaton, a flight surgeon attached to the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Slaton arrived before the crash investigators and immediately began triaging the surviving passengers. He worked alongside local medical staff and stayed until the last survivor was airlifted to awaiting medical facilities.
The C-130 Hercules is a versatile military transport aircraft capable of operating from rough, unprepared runways. It was designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin) and entered service with the US Air Force in 1956. The C-130 has been used in various roles, including troop and cargo transport, search and rescue, and aerial firefighting. With its four turboprop engines, the C-130 has exceptional lift capability and maneuverability, making it a vital asset for tactical airlift missions.
Lt. Col. Slaton was dispatched from Torrejon Air Base outside Madrid, Spain, and played a crucial role in the rescue efforts. The C-130 transported all surviving and injured passengers from Tenerife Airport to Las Palmas, and many of the injured were then taken to other US Air Force bases for further treatment. The Spanish Army was tasked with clearing the crash wreckage from the runways and taxiways, and a small plane shuttle service was approved by March 30, although large jets still could not land.
The disaster had a profound impact on the survivors, including Joani, a former police officer and divorced mother who was on Pan Am Flight 1736. She experienced periodic depression and found that the disaster affected her subsequent marriages. Despite her fears, Joani has continued to fly, always aware of the exits and projecting her thoughts to focus on her plans after the flight.
Sacramento International Airport: All You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Two Boeing 747s collided at Tenerife Airport, resulting in 583 fatalities. The KLM Boeing 747 initiated takeoff without clearance and crashed into the Pan Am 747, which was still on the runway.
71 people escaped from the Pan Am wreckage, with 61 surviving in total. Everyone aboard the KLM aircraft perished.
Captain Robert Bragg, the co-pilot of the Pan Am plane, was one of the few survivors. Other survivors include Joani Holt, Suzanne Donovan, Joan Jackson, and several flight attendants.
A combination of bad weather, miscommunication, and possible language issues were cited as reasons for the collision. The small airport with a single runway and taxiway also contributed to the congestion and diversion of flights.
The disaster remains the deadliest aviation accident in history. It led to changes such as the installation of a ground radar system at Tenerife North Airport. Memorials have been dedicated to the victims, and the event has been featured in various documentaries and TV shows.
