In a devastating incident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, a collision between a passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard aircraft on the runway resulted in flames engulfing both aircraft. Fortunately, all 379 passengers on Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 managed to evacuate safely before the flames consumed the plane. Regrettably, the smaller coast guard aircraft’s pilot escaped, but all five crew members lost their lives in the tragic incident.
This marks the first significant damage to an Airbus A350, one of the industry’s newest large passenger planes, which has been in commercial service since 2015. The Japan Airlines A350 had arrived from Shin Chitose airport near Sapporo, while the coast guard’s Bombardier Dash-8 plane, based at Haneda, was scheduled to deliver relief goods to Niigata for residents affected by a recent earthquake.
The collision occurred as the JAL plane landed on a runway where the coast guard aircraft was preparing for takeoff. Investigations are underway to determine the cause, with a focus on communication between aviation control officials and the involved aircraft. Despite the tragedy, praise was given to Japan Airlines for efficiently evacuating all passengers and crew members.
Passengers described chaotic scenes inside the plane, with smoke filling the cabin within minutes. Emergency procedures were activated, and passengers evacuated amidst challenging conditions. The Transport Ministry is working diligently to ensure no disruptions in relief operations for the earthquake-hit region.
Haneda Airport, one of Japan’s busiest, has resumed operations on its other runways. The International Air Transport Association expressed condolences, acknowledging the challenges faced by Japan in the past days. The incident raises questions about aviation safety protocols and the need for a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future.
