Horrifying footage shared to social media shows the moment a Japan Airlines plane burst into flames on the runway at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
The terrifying incident saw passengers aboard JAL flight 516 watch as their aircraft become engulfed in fire after colliding with a second aircraft.
The collision occurred at 5:47PM local time and also 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's plane was due to deliver aid to areas that had been hit by Monday's deadly earthquake.
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.
Terrifying videos, taken by passengers from inside the aircraft, depict plumes of smoke billowing from the stricken plane. Some individuals have also managed to capture the dramatic scenes unfolding outside of the plane, as smoke enveloped the aircraft.
In one tweet, one person claiming to be a passenger simply wrote (translated): "I thought I was going to die".
Despite the chaos, Japan Airlines reported that all 367 passengers and 12 crew members were safely evacuated from the burning plane. They swiftly utilized the aircraft's inflatable slides to disembark onto the runway, a testament to the efficient response during a critical situation.
Sadly, this incident is not without tragedy, as BBC News has reported that the five passengers onboard the coastguard aircraft died as a result of the collision.
As of this writing, at least 17 of the passengers and crew who were evacuated from the Japan Airlines flight suffered minor injuries, per Japanese public broadcaster NHK. It has been reported that the pilot of the coastguard plane is also being treated after suffering injuries.
Swedish national Anton Deibe, aged 17, who was among the passengers on board the Japan Airlines flight, recounted the harrowing ordeal to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. He described how "the entire cabin was filled with smoke within a few minutes." To survive, passengers threw themselves onto the floor, desperately navigating the smoky interior.
Deibe added: "Then the emergency doors were opened and we threw ourselves at them. The smoke in the cabin stung like hell. It was a hell." In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, passengers were left bewildered, not knowing where their escape would lead them.
Another passenger on board reported feeling a sudden jolt upon landing, followed by witnessing sparks outside the window as the cabin rapidly filled with gas and smoke.
Aviation consultant Tim Atkinson provided insights into the Bombardier Dash-8, characterizing it as a short-haul airliner typically accommodating 50 to 80 passengers. Despite its smaller size compared to the A350, this aircraft carried a substantial volume of fuel.
As investigations into the incident are underway, it is too early to pinpoint the precise cause of the collision. Tim Atkinson, who serves as an air accident investigator, emphasized the unique challenges posed by a bustling airport environment during evening hours. The presence of various colored lights, some flashing, creates a visually complex landscape for all involved parties, from air traffic controllers to pilots and ground vehicle operators.
This tragic incident comes as Japan grapples with the aftermath of a devastating New Year's Day earthquake, which has tragically claimed numerous lives and triggered concerns of potential aftershocks.
Investigators are now working to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident. However, despite the chaos caused, Japan's transport minister Tetsuo Saito says that the airport could reopen its runways as early as today (January 2).
Our thoughts are with everybody impacted by this tragedy.
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