(Cupventi.com) – A collision between a large passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard aircraft occurred on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, resulting in a fiery tragedy.
The coast guard plane, on a mission to deliver aid to an earthquake-affected area, claimed the lives of its five crew members. Fortunately, all 379 passengers on Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 escaped unharmed before the Airbus A350 became engulfed in flames.
The incident marked the first significant damage to an Airbus A350, a modern large passenger plane in service since 2015. The collision raised concerns about the fire resistance of aircraft fuselages made from carbon-composite fibers, a feature shared by the A350 and the Boeing 787.
JAL Managing Executive Officer Tadayuki Tsutsumi asserted that the A350’s landing was “normal,” leaving the circumstances of the collision unclear.
While investigations are underway, police are expected to explore potential professional negligence. The coast guard aircraft, a Bombardier Dash-8, was en route to deliver relief goods following a recent earthquake.
Passengers on the affected planes described chaotic scenes, with smoke filling the cabin and swift evacuations through emergency chutes. Despite the harrowing experience, cabin crew and emergency personnel were praised for their effective response in ensuring the safety of all passengers.
Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito commended JAL for its “appropriate procedures” in evacuating passengers. Authorities are working diligently to prevent delays in delivering relief goods to the earthquake-hit areas.
As the investigation unfolds, Airbus has pledged support, sending specialists to collaborate with Japanese and French officials. The International Air Transport Association expressed condolences, acknowledging the challenging times Japan faced in the wake of the incident.