Japan: In a devastating turn of events on Tuesday, a Japan Airlines (JAL) plane collided with an earthquake relief aircraft at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, leading to a tragic loss of life. The incident unfolded as the Airbus A350-900, arriving from Sapporo, ignited upon landing at 5:46 p.m. local time. The resulting fireball left a harrowing trail down the runway, marking a grim day for aviation.
JAL flight 516, carrying 379 people, managed a miraculous evacuation, with all passengers, including eight children under two years old, safely leaving the burning aircraft. However, the same cannot be said for the Japan Coast Guard’s De Havilland Canada DHC-8, which bore the brunt of the collision.
Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed the heartbreaking news of five crew members losing their lives on the second aircraft. Public broadcaster NHK reported the critical condition of the plane’s captain. Japan Airlines reported four passengers taken to hospitals but assured no additional injuries had been reported.
As the investigation into this tragic incident unfolds, Japan Airlines is actively participating, seeking answers regarding responsibility for the deadly crash. Senior Vice President of Corporate Safety and Security, Tadayuki Tsutsumi, affirmed their commitment to a thorough examination of the events leading to the collision.
The French aviation agency is contributing to the investigation, dispatching its investigators to Tokyo. The Japan Transport Safety Board has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the collision, reflecting the severity and importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding this aviation catastrophe.
“Japan Airlines provided an initial account from the operating crew, stating that they had received and acknowledged landing permission from air traffic control before proceeding with the approach and landing procedures. The precise sequence of events leading to the collision is yet to be determined”.
The aftermath of the collision saw the Airbus A350-900 at a standstill, engulfed in flames, while passengers evacuated using emergency slides. Firefighters battled the growing flames, with over 100 fire trucks responding to the emergency.
As the aviation community grapples with this tragedy, the investigation will play a crucial role in determining the factors contributing to the collision and establishing measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The aviation world mourns the lives lost and awaits the comprehensive findings of the ongoing investigation.
