On January 2, 2024, Tokyo’s Haneda Airport witnessed a catastrophic event as two aircraft collided on the runway, one from Japan Airlines and another from the Coast Guard. The accident resulted in a fiery blaze that engulfed one of the planes. Despite the dire circumstances, a remarkable evacuation effort saved the lives of 379 passengers and crew aboard the Japan Airlines flight, a testament to the efficiency and training of the airline’s staff.
The incident unfolded when a Japan Airlines aircraft, arriving from Sapporo, collided with a Coast Guard plane preparing to depart for Niigata Prefecture. This Coast Guard flight was on a mission to aid regions affected by a recent earthquake in Japan. Tragically, five of the six crew members aboard the Coast Guard aircraft lost their lives in the accident. The collision led to one of the planes being entirely engulfed in flames, a harrowing image broadcasted by Japan’s public broadcaster.
Amidst this chaos, the evacuation process conducted by the crew of the Japan Airlines flight emerged as a beacon of hope and professionalism. Graham Braithwaite, a transport systems expert at Cranfield University in the UK, praised the crew’s efforts in a statement to the BBC: “Japan has an outstanding record in transport safety. The evacuation was a success and is a reminder of how much has been invested in cabin crew training.” He emphasized the crew’s strategy centred on safety, noting that “the crew members are the last to evacuate the plane, and at first glance, it appears they have done an incredible job.”
Theo Leggett, a journalist from the BBC, highlighted the significance of the incident involving an Airbus A350, a new generation aircraft constructed primarily from advanced materials like carbon fibre-reinforced plastic. Despite the fire, the plane’s structure withstood the ordeal well, providing crucial time for those on board to escape.
As investigations into the causes of this tragic collision continue, the incident at Haneda Airport serves as a grim reminder of the inherent risks in aviation. Yet, it also showcases the importance of rigorous safety protocols and airline personnel’s extraordinary bravery and skill in ensuring passenger safety under extreme conditions. The miraculous escape of hundreds from the jaws of disaster will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on aviation history.
