Tokyo, Japan – On January 2, 2024, a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 was involved in a terrifying incident at Tokyo’s main airport, Haneda. The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 34R when a small Dash-8 propeller plane belonging to the Japanese coastguard, which had been told to hold short of the runway, strayed onto it. The two aircraft collided, causing both to catch fire. The captain of the coastguard plane managed to escape, but tragically, his five colleagues perished. The Japan Airlines A350 continued for 1km along the runway, engulfed in flames and with 367 passengers and 12 crew members on board.
Despite the harrowing circumstances, all 379 people aboard the aircraft were able to escape. There were no physical injuries worse than bruises, although the emotional toll of the near-death experience is unimaginable. The incident bore a strong resemblance to the last fatal accident involving British Airways’ charter subsidiary, British Airtours, in 1985.
In Manchester, a Boeing 737 belonging to British Airtours experienced an engine failure that led to a fire. The pilots initiated an emergency evacuation, but in the ensuing chaos, only 83 of the passengers and crew made it out alive, with 55 fatalities. The tragedy led to major changes in the aviation industry, including new safety measures and procedures for passengers and crew during emergency evacuations.
The survival of everyone in the Japan Airlines incident was a testament to rigorous training and a safety culture unmatched in any other industry. Airlines continually review their procedures in line with best practice and events that occur globally in the industry to ensure the safety and security of their passengers and crew. As the investigation into the incident continues, airlines around the world will be paying close attention to the findings to enhance their safety practices and procedures. It’s clear that out of tragedy, improvements in safety can be made.