CAPT WANNABE:
The accident to which you refer actually involved 2 747's, one operated by Pan-Am and the other by KLM; it occurred in Tenerrife.
The KLM 74 was given a "line-up" whilst the clipper was taxing up the runway. Yes - fog came in with vis down to about 100metres. The irritated KLM Captain commenced his take-off roll without clearance and collided with the clipper, who desperately attempted to clear the runway as they heard the roar of engines coming towards them.
I believe that the F/O on the KLM flight deck stopped the Captain 3 times by retarding the throttles; he knew they didn't have clearance. To this the Captain responded, words to the effect that he knew and told him to obtain clearance. He finally conceded and they began rolling......
Horrendous waste of life and a totally avoidable accident.
I think this accident was covered in the 'Black Box' series - quite a factual and well written book.
The 1st incident discussed here, with the Captain suffering a heart attack, and the fearful junior F/O not intervening, is another sad lesson from which we can all learn.
[This message has been edited by GJB (edited 27 April 2001).]