In a terrifying incident at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, a Japan Airlines flight, JAL-516, collided with a smaller coast guard plane while landing, resulting in a massive fire that engulfed the passenger jet. However, all 367 passengers and 12 crew members managed to escape before the flames consumed the entire aircraft. The pilot of the coast guard's Bombardier Dash-8 plane survived, but unfortunately, five crew members lost their lives in the collision.
The incident was captured on television footage, showing an orange fireball erupting as the two planes collided on the runway. Smoke billowed from the side of the Japan Airlines plane as it continued down the runway. Within just 20 minutes, all passengers and crew members had safely evacuated the Airbus A350 using emergency chutes. The successful evacuation was attributed to the crash-worthiness of modern jetliners and the professionalism of the cabin crew.
Robert Sumwalt, CBS News transportation safety analyst and former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, explained that the interiors of newer airplane models are designed to withstand fire, allowing passengers more time to escape. The fire also served as a significant test case for airplane fuselages made from carbon-composite fibers, which proved effective in protecting the passengers from the flames.
Japan, known for its commitment to aviation safety, received praise for the appropriate execution of the evacuation procedures. Passengers recounted terrifying moments as the cabin filled with smoke, but they were guided by calm and composed cabin attendants who instructed them to leave their belongings behind. Video footage showed passengers swiftly and calmly making their way down the inflatable evacuation slides and jogging away from the plane.
One passenger, Anton Deibe, described the chaos and smoke-filled cabin, emphasizing that the evacuation was a miracle. Another passenger stated that an explosion occurred on the plane about 10 minutes after they disembarked, further emphasizing the urgency and luck of their escape. Four passengers were taken to a medical facility, while 14 others sustained injuries.
The collision between the Japan Airlines flight and the coast guard plane is under investigation. Former Japan Airlines captain and aviation critic Hiroyuki Kobayashi suggested that a miscommunication with the traffic control center could have led to the collision. He also speculated that sparks reaching the fuel tank may have ignited the massive fire. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined.
The incident highlights the importance of aircraft safety features and crew training in ensuring the survival of passengers during emergencies. In this case, the combination of crash-worthiness, professional cabin crew, and the quick actions of the passengers contributed to the successful evacuation of all individuals on board.
