In a devastating incident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, a Japan Airlines (JAL) plane burst into flames on the runway after an apparent collision with a coast guard aircraft. The Airbus plane, carrying 367 passengers and 12 crew members, caught fire following the collision, leading to a swift evacuation. Tragically, NHK TV reported that five crew members were found dead on the coast guard plane.
The cause of the collision remains unclear, but reports suggest that the Airbus collided with the coast guard aircraft on a runway or taxiway after touching down. The coast guard plane was reportedly scheduled to depart to assist with rescue efforts following a massive earthquake in central Japan. The Airbus had just arrived from Sapporo airport on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.
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Disturbing footage apparently captured by a passenger from inside the aircraft showed flames emanating from beneath it, followed by the cabin filling with smoke. While the exact details are under investigation, the incident has prompted the closure of the airport to traffic. Emergency services, including more than 70 fire engines, were deployed to tackle the flames and address the aftermath of the collision.
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This tragic incident marks a rare occurrence for Japan, which has not witnessed a serious commercial aviation accident in decades. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is actively investigating the incident to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the collision and subsequent fire.
