TOKYO, JAPAN – A Japan Airlines commercial flight burst into flames after a collision on the tarmac, resulting in the death of five people on a smaller government plane. However, 379 people, including 12 Australians, on the JAL flight from Sapporo survived the ordeal. The harrowing incident occurred when the JAL Airbus A350 collided with the smaller aircraft on the runway at Haneda airport.
Dramatic footage captured the moment of disaster as the smaller plane exploded and sent a fireball shooting into the night sky. The JAL plane’s left engine burst into flames as it continued down the runway, trailing sparks and flames behind it. Unfortunately, of the six people onboard the smaller plane, only the pilot survived.
After the collision, all passengers onboard the JAL flight managed to escape the burning wreckage just minutes before it was engulfed by flames. At least 17 people on the passenger plane were injured, according to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The airline reported that the evacuation began almost immediately after the plane came to a standstill, and all passengers were taken to safety within less than 20 minutes.
In the hours that followed the crash, shaky footage emerged from inside the JAL plane’s cabin, showing the remarkable calmness of the passengers despite the situation. The cockpit crew asked passengers to remain calm and quickly deployed the emergency inflatable slides, allowing those on board to escape the burning wreckage to safety.
Japan Airlines’ extensive flight safety messaging likely played a role in the positive outcome, as passengers complied with safety instructions. Investigations into the collision are underway as experts describe the crash as “unusual.” The cause of the crash is currently speculation, as the focus remains on understanding what led to the tragic incident.
In conclusion, the collision at Haneda airport resulted in a tragic loss of life on the smaller government plane but miraculously spared the lives of all 379 passengers on the Japan Airlines flight. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing to determine the cause and prevent future accidents.