Tokyo, Japan – A shocking incident unfolded at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, as two planes collided, claiming the lives of five crew members and injuring several others.
The Japan Airlines Airbus A350, carrying 379 passengers and crew, was on its final approach to Haneda when it clipped the tail wing of a smaller Japan Coast Guard aircraft during landing. The impact caused the Coast Guard plane to veer off the runway and burst into flames, tragically killing five of its six crew members. Thankfully, all passengers and crew on the Japan Airlines flight were safely evacuated.
The sixth crew member managed to get out of the burning plane but suffered serious burns. He is being treated at a hospital.
Video footage of the collision shared on social media shows the passenger jet moving at speed and then igniting with a large fireball. –
The cause of the collision is still under investigation, with authorities looking into factors such as poor weather conditions, air traffic control errors, and mechanical malfunction.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and the wider Japanese community, raising concerns about safety protocols and procedures at the busy Haneda Airport.
Here’s what we know so far:
- Five people confirmed dead: All five fatalities were crew members on the Japan Coast Guard aircraft.
- No casualties on the Japan Airlines flight: All 379 passengers and crew onboard the A350 were safely evacuated.
- Cause of the collision under investigation: Authorities are considering various factors, including weather, air traffic control, and mechanical failure.
- Haneda Airport partially closed: The incident has caused disruptions at the airport, with some flights being diverted or cancelled.