In a horrific incident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday, a Japan Airlines passenger Airbus A350, collided with a coast guard plane on the runway, leading to the plane engulfed in a fire. Video footage captured the aircraft ablaze as it moved along the runway, eventually becoming fully engulfed in flames once it came to a halt. Rescue teams were quick to respond, and their efforts to extinguish the fire were successful.
[Statement from Airbus Below]
BREAKING: Japan Airlines plane with 367 people on board collides with Coast Guard plane at Tokyo Airport pic.twitter.com/ANheXFC2Ny
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 2, 2024
5 Crew Aboard Coast Guard Plane Reported Dead
Officials have confirmed to NHK the loss of five crew members aboard the Coast Guard plane involved in the incident.
Additionally, the captain of the Coast Guard aircraft is reported to be in critical condition.
All Passengers and Crew Aboard JAL plane OK...According to Reports
It is believed that all 367 passengers and crew aboard the JAL jet made it out safely.
Haneda Closed
Tokyo Haneda Airport authorities have announced the suspension of all departing flights for the remainder of the evening. In the departure area, a large number of travelers have been seen waiting to reschedule their flights.
Additionally, there have been reports of extended lines at restaurants and waiting areas within the airport, as passengers adjust their travel plans in response to the temporary halt in departures. The situation continues to develop, and further updates are expected as authorities manage the aftermath of the incident.
UPDATES
Statement from Airbus:
Airbus regrets to confirm that an A350-900 operated by Japan Airlines was involved in an accident during flight JAL516 from Sapporo New Chitose Airport to Haneda International Airport shortly after 17:47 (local time) on 02 January 2024. All 367 passengers and 12 crew members on-board evacuated the aircraft.
The A350 collided with a DHC-8 aircraft at landing in Haneda. The Japanese authorities have since confirmed that sadly five of the six people on board the DHC-8 did not survive. The exact circumstances of the event are still unknown.
The aircraft involved in the accident, registered under the number JA13XJ, was MSN 538, delivered to Japan Airlines from the production line on 10 November 2021. It was powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
In line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 recommendations, Airbus will provide technical assistance to the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) of France and to the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) in charge of the investigation. For this purpose, Airbus is presently dispatching a team of specialists to assist the Authorities.
Further updates will be provided as soon as consolidated information is available and Airbus is authorised to release them.
Our concerns and sympathy go to the families, friends and loved ones affected by the accident.
