As rescue teams and firefighters work tirelessly to manage the aftermath of a catastrophic plane collision at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, investigators are laboring behind the scenes to determine the events that led to this deadly tragedy.
Captured in heart-stopping footage from the scene, a Japan Airlines aircraft was engulfed in flames while moving along the runway following a reported collision with a coast guard plane. This incident adds to Japan's woes after a devastating New Year's Day earthquake, which has claimed dozens of lives and triggered warnings of aftershocks, per Sky News.
Amid the chaos, Haneda Airport - one of Japan's busiest destinations - faces disruption during the New Year holiday travel rush. Here's what we know so far about this tragedy.
The domestic Japan Airlines Flight 516 - an Airbus A350 - had been embarking on its journey from Shin Chitose Airport, located on the northern island of Hokkaido, bound for Tokyo's Haneda Airport on the main island of Honshu. As reported by BBC News, aboard the aircraft were 379 individuals, including passengers and crew members.
The collision involved the coastguard aircraft MA722 - a De Havilland Canada DHC-8-315Q MPA - commonly known as a Bombardier Dash-8. That particular aircraft was carrying six occupants, including the pilot.
The coastguard plane was in the process of preparing for a flight to the port city of Niigata to deliver aid to earthquake-affected areas when the collision occurred at 5:47PM local time.
Aviation consultant Tim Atkinson told Sky News that the Bombardier Dash-8 is a short-haul airliner typically seating 50 to 80 passengers. While it doesn't match the size of the A350, it carries a considerable amount of fuel.
The collision occurred either on the runway or taxiway as the passenger plane touched down, as reported by Japan Airlines to the Kyodo news agency.
Remarkably, despite the raging fire, all 367 passengers and 12 crew members aboard the Japan Airlines flight were successfully evacuated. Among the passengers were eight children, according to Kyodo reports.
The evacuation process drew astonishment from witnesses, with former commercial pilot Roger Whitefield expressing amazement, stating: "We have just witnessed a miracle." Whitefield marveled at the efficiency of evacuating all passengers, considering the circumstances.
Tragically, five people aboard the coastguard plane died as a result of the collision, but the pilot survived. Japan's transport minister confirmed that the pilot of the coastguard plane had sustained injuries during the incident.
Reports are stating that it is currently too early to determine the precise cause of the collision. Atkinson highlighted the visual challenges presented by a bustling airport during the dark evening hours. The airport environment is teeming with various colored lights, some flashing, making navigation a complex task for air traffic controllers, pilots, and vehicle drivers.
Atkinson noted: "As one approaches a runway at night, it's often very difficult to perceive those little signs of, for example, a relatively small aircraft."
Accident investigators will now determine why both aircraft occupied the same location simultaneously and whether they adhered to their designated areas.
Flight Radar 24, a global flight tracking service, provided further insights into the collision, revealing that the coastguard plane lacked a modern ADS-B transponder. ADS-B transponders transmit highly accurate aircraft position information to ground controllers and other aircraft, offering superior accuracy compared to conventional radar.
Local television footage captured a fiery eruption from the side of the Japan Airlines plane as it maneuvered on the runway. The fire then spread to the aircraft's wings, eventually leading to the plane being engulfed in flames.
As firefighting teams battled the inferno, the Japan Airlines aircraft appeared to break apart.
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism has launched an investigation into the collision.
Some passengers shared their harrowing experiences. Anton Deibe, 17, recalled that "the entire cabin was filled with smoke within a few minutes." He described the chaotic scene as passengers threw themselves onto the floor, evacuated through emergency doors, and ran onto the field amidst the smoke. Mr. Deibe was traveling with his family during the incident.
Another passenger reported feeling a sudden jolt upon landing and witnessing sparks outside the window as the cabin filled with gas and smoke.
Tetsuo Saito, Japan's transport minister, announced the temporary closure of the airport during the aviation safety and police investigations. Efforts are underway to minimize delays to earthquake relief operations while ensuring the safety and security of all involved.
Our thoughts go out to everybody affected by this tragedy.
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