Japan plane crash: What happened?

Summary

A Japan Airlines Airbus 350, carrying 379 passengers and crew on a domestic flight to deliver aid after an earthquake, collided with a Japan Coast Guard plane at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The Coast Guard plane, a Bombardier B-8 without a modern ADS-B transponder, was preparing for takeoff. Despite the emergency, all passengers and crew evacuated safely within 45 minutes, highlighting the quick response and effective evacuation procedures. The incident is under investigation, with a focus on the lack of transponder and potential miscommunication with air traffic control.

Takeaways

• ✈️ A Japan Airlines Airbus 350, carrying 379 passengers and crew, was on a domestic flight to deliver aid after an earthquake.
• 🕒 The flight departed from Shin Choshi Airport in Sapporo at 4:22 p.m. and was scheduled for 1 hour and 25 minutes.
• 📍 Flight 516 was on its final approach to Tokyo's Haneda Airport when the incident occurred.
• 🚨 The aircraft collided with a Japan Coast Guard plane, a Bombardier -8, which was preparing for takeoff to Niigata.
• 🔦 The Coast Guard plane was not equipped with a modern ADS-B transponder, which transmits position information.
• 🛑 The Coast Guard plane was supposed to stop at a holding point but did not, possibly due to a quick, unobserved incident at night.
• 👥 All 379 passengers and crew on the Japan Airlines flight survived, with everyone evacuating within 45 minutes of the landing.
• 📊 Statistics show that the highest risk for plane accidents is during landing, with over a third of 720 accidents between 2017 and 2022 occurring then.
• 🏃‍♂️ Passengers used three emergency exits with inflatable slides to quickly evacuate the aircraft.
• 👩‍✈️ Aviation experts commend the pilot and crew for their effective response in ensuring everyone's safe evacuation.

Q & A

What type of aircraft was involved in the incident?

The aircraft involved was a Japan Airlines Airbus 350, a twin-engine, twin-aisle aircraft.

How many passengers and crew were on board the Airbus 350?

There were 379 passengers and crew on board the Airbus 350.

From which airport did the flight depart and what was its destination?

The flight departed from Shin Choshi Airport in the city of Sapporo, with Tokyo's Haneda Airport as its destination.

What was the purpose of the flight mentioned in the transcript?

The flight was on a mission to deliver aid after a recent earthquake.

What was the time of the departure and the expected duration of the flight?

The flight departed at 4:22 p.m. local time and was expected to take 1 hour and 25 minutes.

What was the sequence of events leading to the collision?

The plane turned ready for its final approach over Tokyo Bay and touched down on Runway C at 5:47 p.m., colliding with a Japan Coast Guard plane that was preparing to take off.

What type of plane was the Japan Coast Guard plane and how many crew were on board?

The Japan Coast Guard plane was a Bombardier B-8, and there were six crew members on board, with only the pilot surviving the collision.

Why was the Japan Coast Guard plane not equipped with a modern ADS-B transponder?

The transcript does not specify the reason, but it mentions that the plane was not equipped with a modern ADS-B transponder, which is used to transmit information about an aircraft's position.

What was the possible reason for the aircraft being on the runway when it was not supposed to be?

It appears that the aircraft was asked to stop short of the runway at a holding point, but for some reason, that did not happen.

How quickly did the passengers and crew evacuate the Airbus after the collision?

Within 45 minutes of the plane touching down, all 379 passengers and crew got out alive, despite the PA system not working.

What is the statistical risk during which phase of a flight?

Statistics suggest that the biggest risk occurs when a plane is landing, with more than a third of 720 airliner accidents between 2017 and 2022 happening during this phase.

What actions are investigators taking to understand the incident?

Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the incident, focusing on how the collision could have occurred.

What praise did aviation experts give regarding the incident?

Aviation experts praised the pilot and crew for successfully evacuating everyone on board safely after the collision.