TOKYO (AP) — A passenger plane collided with a Japanese coast guard aircraft and burst into flames on the runway of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday, officials said. All passengers of Japan Airlines flight JAL-516, a total of 379 people, managed to escape before the plane was completely consumed by the fire. The pilot of the coast guard aircraft also escaped, but five crewmembers were tragically found dead. The incident took place as the Japan Airlines plane was taxiing on the runway, leading to a large eruption of fire and smoke.
The Japan Airlines plane, an Airbus A-350, had flown from Shin Chitose airport near Sapporo to Haneda. As for the coast guard aircraft, it was flight MA-722, a Bombardier Dash-8 that collided with the passenger plane. Passengers recalled chaotic scenes inside the cabin as smoke quickly filled the air, causing discomfort and panic. An eyewitness described the situation as “a hell” with passengers having no idea of what was happening as they rushed to escape.
The coast guard aircraft had been scheduled to head to Niigata to deliver relief goods to residents affected by a deadly earthquake in the region on Monday that claimed the lives of at least 48 people. Haneda, one of Japan’s busiest airports, was the scene of this harrowing incident as many people were traveling over the New Year holidays. The collision and subsequent fire are under investigation to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.
In summary, a Japan Airlines plane collided with a Japanese coast guard aircraft on the runway of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, leading to a large eruption of fire and smoke. All passengers and crew escaped safely, but tragically, five crewmembers of the coast guard aircraft did not survive the incident. The Japan Airlines plane had flown from Sapporo, and the coast guard aircraft was scheduled for a relief mission to Niigata to aid victims of a recent earthquake. The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the collision and fire.