In a harrowing incident at Tokyo's Haneda airport, a Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350 burst into flames following a collision with a small Coast Guard aircraft on the runway. The tragic event, which occurred shortly before 6 p.m. local time, resulted in the deaths of five out of six crew members on the Coast Guard plane that was en route to provide aid to the earthquake-hit west coast of Japan
Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed the successful evacuation of all 379 passengers on the JAL plane, emphasizing the immediate safety measures taken. The Coast Guard plane, a Bombardier Dash-8, collided with the Airbus A350 after it had landed. While the 39-year-old captain of the Coast Guard plane sustained injuries but survived, the cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The dramatic scene unfolded as the JAL plane skidded down the runway, leading to a collision and subsequent eruption of fire and smoke. Passengers were evacuated using emergency chutes, and local TV footage captured the efforts of fire crews attempting to extinguish the blaze. The intense fire burned for over six hours before being brought under control, leaving the aircraft significantly damaged.
Aboard the JAL plane were 379 passengers who had arrived from New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. One passenger, Satoshi Yamake, described the moment of impact, stating, "I felt the airplane tilt to the side at the runway and felt a big bump." Despite the chaos, the flight attendants guided passengers to remain calm and facilitated their safe exit from the aircraft.
Japan Airlines reported 14 injuries, none of which appeared to be life-threatening. The injured were promptly attended to, highlighting the effectiveness of the evacuation process. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida commended the dedication of the crew members who lost their lives, emphasizing their commitment to aiding the affected areas.
Passengers and aviation experts praised the swift evacuation, considering the circumstances. Tsubasa Sawada, a passenger, referred to the incident as a "miracle," acknowledging that a delay in evacuation could have had catastrophic consequences. Aviation consultant Paul Hayes lauded the cabin crew for their exemplary performance, noting the absence of passengers attempting to retrieve carry-on bags during the evacuation.
The in-flight announcement system on the JAL aircraft reportedly failed during the evacuation. Despite this, the crew utilized megaphones to relay instructions to passengers. The airline stated that it understood the flight had received permission to land, but investigations into exchanges with air traffic control were ongoing. Notably, there were no reported engine or other issues before the aircraft landed at Haneda.
As the incident unfolded, the airport temporarily closed, causing disruptions to flight schedules. However, three runways were later reopened, although some airlines experienced delays and cancellations. Aviation analyst Alex Macheras cautioned that initial perceptions of the incident might differ from the findings of the investigation, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of the events.
This incident marks the first significant accident involving the Airbus A350, a twin-engine aircraft that has been in service since 2015. The investigation into the collision and subsequent fire will likely shed light on the factors contributing to this tragic event. The aviation community awaits a thorough examination of the incident to enhance safety measures and prevent similar occurrences in the future.