In a harrowing incident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, tragedy struck as a large passenger plane collided with a Japanese coast guard aircraft on the runway, resulting in a devastating fire. Five people lost their lives in the coast guard plane, while miraculously, all 379 passengers on Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 escaped unharmed.
Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed the collision and subsequent fire, revealing that the coast guard’s Bombardier Dash-8 plane was preparing to take off to deliver aid to an area affected by a major earthquake. The pilot of the coast guard plane survived, but the five crew members tragically lost their lives.
Television footage captured the intense moment of impact, with an orange fireball erupting from the Japan Airlines plane upon landing. Despite the catastrophic collision, all passengers and crew members swiftly evacuated the Airbus A350 using emergency chutes.
The fire, a significant test for carbon-composite fuselages like the A350, was eventually extinguished after six hours. The incident marks the first severe damage to an A350, one of the industry’s newest large passenger planes introduced in 2015.
JAL Managing Executive Officer Tadayuki Tsutsumi assured that the A350’s landing was “normal,” emphasizing that the flight had received permission to land from aviation officials. The investigation, expected to involve the police on suspicion of professional negligence, will delve into the communication between control officials and the aircraft.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene inside the plane, filled with smoke within minutes. Passengers recounted the swift and calm response of cabin attendants, ensuring a safe evacuation. JAL reported four passengers taken to a medical facility, with 14 others sustaining injuries.
The Airbus A350, a twin-engine, twin-aisle aircraft used by several international carriers, now faces scrutiny as aviation experts assess the impact of the fire on its carbon-composite structure. As the investigation unfolds, the incident raises questions about the safety of such materials in case of a fire.
Stay informed on the latest developments surrounding the Tokyo airport collision, the ongoing investigation, and the industry’s response to this tragic event.
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