‘Miracle’: The plane exploded while landing in Tokyo but all passengers on board survived
In a shocking incident that unfolded at Haneda Airport near Tokyo Bay, Japan Airlines Flight 516 collided with a Japanese Coast Guard aircraft during its landing, resulting in a fiery explosion. The harrowing scene, captured on video from inside the plane, showcased an eerie orange glow outside the windows as flight attendants urgently directed passengers to evacuate.
Despite the intensity of the situation, the flight crew executed a remarkable evacuation, ensuring the safety of all 367 passengers and 12 crew members, as confirmed by Japan’s transport minister, Tetsuo Saito. However, the tragic incident claimed the lives of five Coast Guard members who were en route to assist with earthquake relief efforts in Western Japan, according to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Details surrounding the root cause of the accident remain unknown, as Mr. Saito emphasized during a news briefing. The country’s transport safety board and other agencies are set to conduct thorough investigations to determine the sequence of events leading to the collision and subsequent fire.
Video footage broadcasted by NHK depicted a fireball streaking across the tarmac upon the plane’s touchdown. Passengers onboard, such as 17-year-old Anton Deibe from Sweden, described a chaotic and frightening experience. The cabin filled with smoke, prompting passengers to react swiftly to open emergency doors and evacuate using slides.
Japan Airlines reported that the collision and subsequent fire involved both their plane, an Airbus A350-900, and the Coast Guard’s fixed-wing MA722. Despite the aircraft’s announcement system malfunctioning during the evacuation, the crew effectively used a megaphone and their voices to guide passengers to safety.
Firefighters battled flames pouring out of the burning aircraft as live footage after 6 p.m. showed the intensity of the situation. The successful evacuation under extreme pressure drew praise from experts, with Ed Galea, a professor and director of the Fire Safety Engineering Group at the University of Greenwich, calling it a “miraculous job.”
The nose gear collapse upon landing added an extra layer of complexity, yet passengers were evacuated through multiple exits, showcasing the effectiveness of the crew’s training. Japan Airlines crews are trained to evacuate all passengers within 90 seconds, and in this instance, they confirmed the evacuation completion by 6:05 p.m.
Trisha Ferguson, CEO of the Interaction Group, commended the passengers and crew for their cooperation, emphasizing the crucial role played by both in ensuring a successful evacuation. The incident underscores the importance of passenger education in emergency situations, as well as the significance of swift and decisive crew actions.
Despite the devastation, Japan Airlines received accolades for its commitment to safety, with aviation analyst Alex Macheras highlighting the airline’s reputation as a leader in the industry. As investigations unfold, the aviation community reflects on the tragedy, expressing condolences for the lives lost and admiration for the collective efforts that averted further catastrophe.
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