A passenger jet involved in a catastrophic collision with a coastguard plane at Haneda airport in Tokyo had received clearance to land, Japan Airlines executives confirmed. The crash resulted in the death of five individuals, while all 379 passengers and crew were able to evacuate the Airbus safely before it was engulfed in flames on Tuesday.
Discrepancies between accounts given by air traffic control and the captain of the coastguard plane have raised questions about the sequence of events leading to the collision. Despite receiving landing permission from air traffic control, the coastguard plane pilot reported being cleared for takeoff, leading to a potential investigation for professional negligence.
As authorities inspected the wreckage and runway for clues, Haneda airport reopened three of its four runways the following day. Witnesses described a harrowing scene as flames engulfed the passenger jet shortly after landing, with passengers evacuating amidst thick black smoke.
In response to the incident, Airbus, the manufacturer of the JAL plane, pledged to send a team of specialists to aid Japanese authorities in the investigation. Meanwhile, the crash raised concerns about runway safety, especially in the wake of recent global warnings issued to the airline industry.
Amid ongoing investigations and recovery efforts, it remains imperative to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this tragic collision and the resulting loss of life. The impact of this event extends beyond the immediate tragedy, highlighting the importance of thorough safety protocols and adherence to air traffic control instructions.