Haneda Airport Catastrophe: Latest Updates and Follow-up on the Collision Between Japan Airlines and Coast Guard Aircraft

This article has been updated with the latest information as of January 7, 2024.

Detailed Situation Analysis of the Collision at Haneda Airport Involving Japan Airlines and Coast Guard Aircraft

The incident at Haneda Airport in Tokyo occurred in the afternoon of the 2nd, when Japan Airlines Flight 516, arriving from New Chitose Airport, collided with a Coast Guard aircraft immediately after landing and caught fire. In this tragic event, five out of six individuals aboard the Coast Guard aircraft perished, while 14 passengers and crew members of Japan Airlines were injured.

Aviation Accident Investigation

A team of six aviation accident investigators from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Transport Safety Board has been dispatched to the site to determine the cause of the accident.

Police Investigation Begins

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigative Division has established a special investigation headquarters to probe into the incident, suspecting negligence resulting in death and injury.

Impact of the Accident

Following the accident, three of Haneda Airport’s four runways were reopened, but all domestic flights departing from and arriving at Haneda were cancelled for the day.

Announcement of Casualties

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has released the names of the five deceased Coast Guard crew members.

Testimonies from Witnesses

Passengers aboard the Japan Airlines flight described the tense atmosphere inside the aircraft at the moment of the accident.

Tragedy on the Coast Guard Aircraft: The Shock of Five Crew Members Losing Their Lives

The tragedy at Haneda Airport claimed the lives of five out of six individuals aboard the Coast Guard aircraft. The deceased include co-pilot Nobuyuki Tahara (41), radio operator Takaki Ishida (27), radar operator Koji Obitori (39), mechanic Makoto Uno (47), and maintenance worker Shigeyoshi Kato (56). The captain was seriously injured but was rescued in a conscious state.

Closure of Haneda Airport and Its Ripple Effects on the Aviation Industry

Due to the accident at Haneda Airport, Japan Airlines cancelled all flights scheduled to depart from and arrive at Haneda on the 2nd. Additionally, All Nippon Airways (ANA) also decided to cancel a total of 110 domestic flights due to the accident. Out of these, nine flights destined for Haneda returned to their departure airports.

Impact on Flights the Following Day

The next day, approximately 100 flights, especially those in the morning, operated by Japan Airlines and ANA were expected to be cancelled.

Reopening of Runways

Although Haneda Airport’s four runways were temporarily closed due to the accident, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism resumed operations on three of them at 9:30 PM on the 2nd.

Moments of Terror Witnessed by Passengers: A Collection of Testimonies

Witnessing the Fiery Crash of Japan Airlines Flight 516

Witnesses described seeing flames erupting from the engine of Japan Airlines Flight 516 as it descended, followed by the aircraft skidding to a halt while ablaze.

Tense Atmosphere Inside the Aircraft

A video recorded by a man in his 30s inside the aircraft captured the cabin filled with whitish smoke, the crew’s instructions for safety measures, and the sound of children crying.

Photographs During Evacuation

A woman in her 40s who was aboard the Japan Airlines aircraft captured images of red flames at the rear of the plane and other passengers attempting to evacuate in a tense situation.

Perspective from Another Aircraft

A man aboard another aircraft recorded a video of the Japan Airlines plane engulfed in flames as it moved along the runway. The video also captured sounds resembling explosions.

Testimonies from the Airport Deck

A man in his 40s taking photos near the deck of Haneda Airport’s Terminal 3 witnessed the moment the aircraft exploded.

Photos Taken by a Middle School Student Inside the Plane

A middle school student seated near the wing captured images of flames and black soot outside the window and the plane tilting forward.

Passengers’ Accounts

A passenger returning home from a visit reported that everything seemed normal during landing, but suddenly there was an explosion, the outside turned orange, and flames became visible. Another passenger returning from their family home described a smoky smell, visible flames from the window, and the sound of children screaming.

Japan Airlines Press Conference: Details of the Accident and Future Responses

During a press conference held by Japan Airlines on the night of the 2nd regarding the accident at Haneda Airport, executives based on interviews with the crew reported that “the aircraft entered the runway normally and began standard landing procedures when it felt an impact.”

Details on the Accident and Its Causes

The executives from Japan Airlines stated that the detailed circumstances and causes of the accident were “under investigation,” with no further details provided at the time.

Expert Analysis: Underlying Issues in the Haneda Airport Accident

Experts in aviation, including former Japan Airlines pilots, were shocked by the accident, calling it “unthinkable.” Former Japan Airlines captain Fujio Yamada commented, “I’ve never seen such a terrible accident,” while another former captain, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, expressed disbelief that a professional pilot could misunderstand air traffic control instructions. A former Coast Guard member also remarked that such an accident is “normally unthinkable.”

Investigation into the Cause of the Accident

The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Transport Safety Board. Since the Airbus aircraft involved is French-made, a specialist team from the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety and Airbus has been dispatched. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has also established a special investigation headquarters and is investigating under the suspicion of negligence resulting in death and injury.

[Follow-up] Determination of the Cause of Death for Coast Guard Crew Members: Total Body Crushing

The cause of death for all five deceased Coast Guard crew members was identified as “total body crushing,” a result of intense external pressure and impact. This conclusion was reached following judicial autopsies. The deceased are co-pilot Nobuyuki Tahara (41), radio operator Takaki Ishida (27), radar operator Koji Obitori (39), mechanic Makoto Uno (47), and maintenance worker Shigeyoshi Kato (56).

Progress in the Accident Investigation

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is conducting an investigation into the detailed cause of the accident, which includes interviews with those involved and judicial autopsies.

[Follow-up] Cause of the Accident: Air Traffic Controller’s Lack of Awareness

Discrepancy in Air Traffic Controller’s Instructions

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism confirmed that while the air traffic controller had given Japan Airlines permission to enter the runway, instructions for the Coast Guard aircraft were to travel up to the runway threshold.

Lack of Attention from the Air Traffic Controller

The controller, after instructing the Coast Guard aircraft to travel up to the runway threshold, was not focused on the Coast Guard aircraft due to the coordination of other planes.

Discrepancy Between the Air Traffic Controller and the Captain’s Perceptions

Furthermore, the captain of the Coast Guard aircraft stated that he had received permission for takeoff from the controller immediately after the accident, indicating a clear discrepancy between the controller’s instructions and the captain’s understanding.

The national Transport Safety Board is investigating the detailed circumstances of this accident. It is possible that the lack of attention from the air traffic controller and the difference in perception between the controller and the aircraft’s captain contributed to the accident. The investigation aims to clarify how these factors led to the tragic event.

[Follow-up] Situation Inside the Japan Airlines Aircraft: Cabin Crew’s Decisions Save Passengers

Collision and Fire

Japan Airlines Flight 516 (departing from New Chitose Airport) collided with a Coast Guard aircraft and caught fire immediately after landing on Haneda Airport’s Runway C. The accident occurred between the landing Japan Airlines plane and the Coast Guard aircraft preparing for takeoff.

Situation Inside the Aircraft

After the collision, the Japan Airlines plane continued to slide for about 1 kilometer before stopping. At this time, the cockpit was not aware of the fire, but cabin crew observed flames emanating from the aircraft. Smoke began to fill the cabin, and cabin crew members called for calm among the passengers. Responsible cabin crew members reported the fire to the cockpit.

Response to Emergency Evacuation

Typically, instructions from the cockpit are required to open emergency exits, but the aircraft had eight emergency exits. Evacuation began from two exits near the front of the cabin. Of the remaining six exits, five were engulfed in flames, leaving only one viable emergency exit at the rear left of the aircraft. The intercom system malfunctioned, preventing communication with the cockpit, but cabin crew members independently decided to open the door and start evacuating passengers. All 379 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated within 18 minutes.

These details illustrate the situation inside the Japan Airlines aircraft at the time of the accident and the swift response of the cabin crew. Despite being in a situation where normal procedures could not be followed, the cabin crew’s independent and prompt actions ensured the safety of all passengers, leading to their successful evacuation.

Summary

The accident at Haneda Airport on January 2, 2024, involved a collision and subsequent fire involving Japan Airlines Flight 516, just after landing from New Chitose Airport, and a Coast Guard aircraft. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of five out of six individuals on the Coast Guard aircraft and injuries to 14 passengers and crew members of Japan Airlines. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Transport Safety Board and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department initiated investigations into the cause of the accident. A portion of Haneda Airport’s runways was temporarily closed but later reopened. The incident led to the cancellation of many domestic flights from and to Haneda Airport on that day.

Witness testimonies and video footage indicated a tense situation inside the Japan Airlines aircraft, with passengers attempting to evacuate the burning plane. The cause of death for the five Coast Guard crew members was identified as “total body crushing,” and discrepancies and misperceptions in air traffic controller instructions are suspected as contributing factors to the accident.

Japan Airlines held a press conference regarding the accident, revealing that there was an impact during landing operations, but the detailed circumstances remain under investigation. Thanks to the prompt response of the cabin crew, all 379 passengers and crew members aboard the Japan Airlines aircraft were safely evacuated. The accident has significantly impacted the aviation industry, calling for a review of safety measures and enhanced accident prevention strategies.