The controller has a serious doubt. He reminds the KLM captain that he is not allowed to take-off.

17 :06 :20 (Ténérife control tower) : Stand by for take-off, I will call you.

17 :06 :20 (PanAm first officer) : And we're still taxiing down the runway, the clipper one seven three six.

The two last messages have been said at the same time. Consequently, they are heared as a long 4 seconds shrill noise. The KLM 747 speed increases. 1500 meters further, the PanAm 747 is still taxiing on the runway.

17 :06 :25 (Ténérife control tower to the PanAm 747) - Roger alpha one seven three six report when runway clear

17 :06 :29 (PanAm first officer) - OK, we'll report when we're clear

17 :06 :30 (Ténérife control tower) - Thank you

The KLM captain does not react. Maybe, he understood that that PanAm 747 has just cleared the runway.

17 :06 :32 (KLM first officer) – Is hij er niet af dan? {Is he not clear then?}

17 :06 :34 (KLM captain) – Wat zeg je? {What do you say?}

17 :06 :35 (KLM first officer) – EstIs hij er niet af, die Pan American? {Is he not clear that Pan American?}

17 :06 :36 (Angry KLM captain) – Jawel. {Oh yes. - emphatic}

At the same time, the PanAm jumbo arrives at the fourth taxiway. Sunddenly, the PanAm captain sees the landing lights of KLM Boeing at approximatively 700 meters in the fog.

17 :06 :41 (PanAm captain) – (screaming) He’s coming… look… this son of b**** is coming

17 :06 :41 (PanAm first officer)  - (screaming)