Changes

The immediate cause was that the KLM jet was in the process of taking off and hit the Pan Am plane as it taxied across the runway.  The KLM pilot was ultimately blamed, and the Pan Am pilot held blameless.

The immediate cause was that the KLM jet was in the process of taking off and hit the Pan Am plane as it taxied across the runway.  The KLM pilot was ultimately blamed, and the Pan Am pilot held blameless.

Though not widely reported, the real cause of the crash was poorly spoken English.  English is the international language for pilots and air traffic controllers, but miscommunications have caused several deadly crashes.<ref> ''See, e.g.'', [[ValueJet Flight 592]].</ref>  The official report found that

Though not widely reported, the real cause of the crash was poorly spoken English.  English is the international language for pilots and air traffic controllers, but miscommunications have caused several deadly crashes.<ref>''See, e.g.'', [[ValueJet Flight 592]].</ref>  The official report found that

"inadequate language" was a cause. The KLM pilot used the phrase "we are now at take-off” when he meant to state that he was now taking off, and thereby proceeded to crash into another airplane on the runway and kill 583 persons on both planes.<ref>Report of the Secretary of Civil Aviation, Spain (Oct.

"inadequate language" was a cause. The KLM pilot used the phrase "we are now at take-off” when he meant to state that he was now taking off, and thereby proceeded to crash into another airplane on the runway and kill 583 persons on both planes.<ref>Report of the Secretary of Civil Aviation, Spain (Oct.

9, 1978), reprinted in Aircraft Accident Digest (ICAO Circular 153-AN/56, 22-68).</ref>

9, 1978), reprinted in Aircraft Accident Digest (ICAO Circular 153-AN/56, 22-68).</ref>

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[[category:history]]

[[Category:History]]

[[category:aviation]]

[[Category:Aviation]]