Tokyo, A profound tragedy unfolded at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday, as investigators delve into the details surrounding the collision between a Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350 and a Japanese coast guard Bombardier Dash-8 on the runway. The incident, which resulted in a fiery blaze, claimed the lives of five individuals and has sparked meticulous examinations into the events leading up to the catastrophe.
The sequence of events commenced as the JAL flight, arriving from Shin Chitose airport, touched down on one of Haneda’s four runways. Meanwhile, the coast guard aircraft had entered the same runway, preparing for takeoff to deliver relief supplies to earthquake-affected regions in Niigata. The collision, resulting in an orange fireball engulfing both aircraft, unfolded amidst the runway chaos.
The swift response of the JAL crew led to the successful evacuation of all 379 passengers and crew members within 20 minutes, utilizing emergency chutes as the A350 continued down the runway ablaze. Regrettably, the pilot of the coast guard plane evacuated with injuries, and five crew members lost their lives in the subsequent explosion.
Investigators are now honing in on the communication dynamics between air traffic control and the involved aircraft. The released transcript, spanning 4 minutes and 27 seconds, revealed a lack of explicit takeoff approval for the coast guard plane. While the JAL pilot received permission to land, the coast guard was directed to proceed to the stop line on the runway. The communication abruptly ceased two minutes before the collision, leaving critical questions unanswered.
In the aftermath, the Transport Ministry and local police initiated separate probes, with the latter examining possible professional negligence. The runway, strewn with debris, is under scrutiny, and interviews with relevant personnel, including pilots and air traffic control officials, are underway.
Conflicting narratives regarding runway permissions have emerged. JAL executives assert that the A350 had clearance to land, while reports suggest the coast guard pilot believed he had permission to take off. The disparity in understanding runway usage adds complexity to the investigative process.
Haneda Airport faced operational disruptions, with three runways reopening late Tuesday. However, approximately 140 flights were canceled on Wednesday, causing considerable inconvenience for travelers, including those who had survived the harrowing incident.
This tragic occurrence marks the first severe damage to an Airbus A350 since its commercial introduction in 2015. Airbus has pledged support, dispatching specialists to assist Japanese and French officials in their investigation. JAL, operating 16 A350-900 aircraft, now finds itself under heightened scrutiny as the aviation community seeks comprehensive insights into the circumstances culminating in this devastating collision.
By AP
