A tragic incident unfolded at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday when a passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard aircraft collided on the runway, resulting in a devastating fire. Fortunately, all 379 occupants of Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 were able to evacuate safely before the flames consumed the entire plane. The pilot of the coast guard aircraft also managed to escape, although five crew members tragically lost their lives in the collision.
The aftermath of the collision was captured on local TV, showing a massive eruption of fire and smoke from the side of the Japan Airlines plane as it taxied after landing. The flames quickly spread to the surrounding area, engulfing the wing. Within an hour, the entire plane was fully on fire, as depicted in subsequent footage.
Witnesses shared videos on social media, revealing the harrowing scene of people sliding down inflatable emergency slides from the passenger plane while flames shot out from the rear of the aircraft. The swift response of the passengers and crew, along with the airport authorities, ensured that no lives were lost on board the Japan Airlines flight.
In the wake of the incident, Haneda Airport has been temporarily closed as aviation safety investigators and police conduct a thorough investigation into the collision. The authorities are working diligently to reopen the airport as soon as possible, with the aim of resuming operations by Wednesday, if not earlier. Efforts are also being made to prevent any disruptions in the delivery of relief goods and other essential operations for the disaster-hit region.
Haneda Airport is one of the busiest airports in Japan, particularly during the New Year holidays when many people travel. The collision occurred just a day after a series of earthquakes rocked western Japan, resulting in the tragic deaths of nearly 50 people in the Ishikawa prefecture. Reports indicate that the coast guard aircraft was scheduled to deliver relief goods to residents affected by the disaster in Niigata.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers and risks involved in aviation. Despite the tragic loss of life and the destruction of the aircraft, it is a relief that the majority of the passengers and crew were able to escape unharmed. The investigation into the collision will undoubtedly shed light on the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and help prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the crew members who lost their lives in this tragic accident. May they find strength and support during this difficult time.