Tokyo, Japan – A Japan Airlines plane burst into flames as it landed at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, causing concern and damage. The incident occurred on Tuesday and involved the flight known as JAL 516, with 367 passengers on board. Fortunately, all passengers were safely evacuated according to reports from NHK TV. The airline suspects that the plane was hit by another aircraft, potentially a Japan Coast Guard plane.
The Japan Coast Guard is currently investigating the incident and has reported that five of its crew members are missing. However, the pilot and all passengers were able to successfully evacuate the plane. Shocking TV footage showed a large eruption of fire and smoke coming from the left side of the jet as it landed on the runway at Haneda airport, with the flames spreading to much of the plane. The severity of the fire led to emergency slides being opened and people running out as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.
The Coast Guard had originally revealed that one of the aircraft involved in the collision was on its way to Japan’s west coast to deliver aid to those affected by a powerful earthquake. The smaller Coast Guard aircraft was en route to Niigata airport prior to the collision and had been planning to deliver aid to those affected by the New Year’s Day earthquake in western Japan. As the situation unfolds, we continue to monitor and provide updates on this developing story.
In summary, Japan Airlines flight JAL 516 caught fire on the runway at Haneda airport after it is believed to have collided with a Japan Coast Guard plane. Emergency crews responded and successfully evacuated all passengers, with investigations into the incident currently underway.