Originally Posted by
WITCHWAY550
Tenerife was a normal operation, as all should ultimately be, that tragically turned into a massive failure. The KLM crew contributed to most of that and at the end had 100% responsibility. As pilots, particularly during international operations, we face language and procedural challenges. Let's say "environmental". Thats a failure beyond any crew's direct malpractice. Tough situation.
Not as simple as you conclude! Phraseology was different (and changed after this accident). A transmission to the KLM aircraft was partially stepped on by the Pan Am crew, thus KLM heard "take-off" when the controller was actually saying "stand by for take-off". The KLM Flight Engineer did challenge the Captain if they were actually cleared for take-off and was waved off with a "yes" (remember no CRM in those days and the captain was a very senior crew member). I reject the conclusion that "the KLM crew" contributed to most of that. I would say that a set of unusual circumstances, poor phraseology, a crossed transmission and the KLM Captain all contributed to this accident.