Japan Airlines A350 Accident At Haneda Airport: What We Know

Japan Airlines A350 Accident At Haneda Airport: What We Know

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On the evening of January 2, 2024, two aircraft collided at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), leading to a major accident with fatalities. In the few days since this incident, a lot of details have emerged about what happened, and it almost feels like the more we know, the more questions there are about how something like this could happen. There are some pretty surprising details emerging…

Japan Airlines A350 & Japan Coast Guard plane collide

This incident happened at 5:47PM on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and involves two aircraft:

  • A roughly two-year-old Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 with the registration code JA13XJ; this plane was operating flight JL516, which was just landing on Haneda Airport runway 34R after completing an 80-minute flight from Sapporo
  • A roughly 16-year-old Japan Coast Guard Bombardier DHC-8-300 with the registration code JA722A; this plane was supposed to be departing Haneda Airport runway 34R right after the Japan Airlines A350 landed

Long story short, the two aircraft were on the runway at the same time, and collided. The below video shows the explosion that occurred from the impact, as the A350 continued barreling down the runway on fire (while you can barely see the much smaller turboprop).

On the Japan Airlines A350, all 359 passengers and 20 crew members managed to evacuate. While there were no human fatalities, at least 17 people from the A350 have been injured, and it’s not clear how serious those injuries are. Unfortunately (this breaks my heart), there were two animals in the cargo hold that also didn’t survive.

There were six people onboard the Japan Coast Guard aircraft. Tragically, five of them have lost their lives, while one is in critical condition. Ugh, that’s just awful… my thoughts are with those onboard and their families.

It’s absolutely shocking to look at what was left of the Japan Airlines A350 the morning after the accident, after the fire raged on for hours. It’s such a testament to how well built aircraft are, that everyone could safely evacuate the A350, despite there being an impact at over 100+ miles per hour, plus this plane ultimately burning to the point of a hull loss.

This accident represents the first-ever hull loss of an Airbus A350, as well as the only hull loss of a Japan Airlines aircraft in the last 40 or so years.

Japan Airlines has a fleet of A350-900s that exclusively operate domestic flights, and they’re in a high density configuration with 369 seats. The airline has 16 of these Airbus jets, with an additional two jets on order. This is separate from the A350-1000 that Japan Airlines will soon start flying, as its new flagship long haul jet.

The Japan Airlines’ A350s evacuation wasn’t without issue

Looking at video footage of the evacuation, I’m impressed that most people left their carry-on items behind, as they’re supposed to. That can be the difference between life and death, and it’s where Japan’s culture of following rules comes in handy. There’s video footage from inside the aircraft during the evacuation, and as you’d expect, it’s scary.

There were a variety of issues and challenges with the evacuation:

  • The emergency announcement system stopped working during the evacuation, so flight attendants had to scream and use megaphones to communicate with passengers and one another
  • Only three of the eight emergency exits were used for the evacuation, as the crew evaluated which exits could safely be used based on the location of the fire
  • While the A350 is certified to be evacuated within 90 seconds, the plane only completed its evacuation 18 minutes after it came to a stop; that sure makes you wonder why this was so delayed

The crew deserves credit for getting everyone off the plane safely. They evacuated a burning A350 with no fatalities, and they did so with no public announcement system, and with only being able to use three exits. Furthermore, the crew members were the last people off the aircraft, and the captain apparently passed through the entire cabin to make sure there was no one left, before he got off the plane himself.

What caused the accident at Tokyo Haneda Airport?

Of course investigations involving a hull loss can take months or even longer, as there’s a lot to learn from these situations. However, we already know a lot about what happened.

The arriving Japan Airlines A350 had received landing clearance for runway 34R, so the plane had permission to land. Meanwhile the departing Japan Coast Guard DHC-8 had only been given clearance to taxi to runway 34R and hold short, and not to enter it. Specifically, here’s the relevant transmission:

Air traffic controller: “JA722A, Tokyo tower, good evening, number one, taxi to holding point C5.”
Pilot: “Taxi to holding point C5, JA722A, number one, thank you.”

The pilot of the Japan Coast Guard plane confirmed the instruction to wait at the holding point, so one has to wonder how the plane ended up on the runway. As you can see, this isn’t a case where the controller gave incorrect instructions, or where instructions weren’t read back correctly. Did the pilots get thrown off by being told they’re “number one,” for some reason, or what possible explanation is there?

Here’s the most shocking part of this. The Japan Coast Guard plane wasn’t just taxiing onto the runway right as the Japan Airlines A350 was landing, but rather it had been sitting on the runway for over 40 seconds, before it was rear-ended by the landing Japan Airlines A350. You can hear some of the ATC audio and see a depiction of that below.

That makes this situation even more shocking. Did no one realize something was off, whether it was the air traffic controllers, pilots of the Japan Airlines A350, or pilots of the Japan Coast Guard aircraft?

There is one other major factor that plays into this. The Haneda Airport warning lights that indicate if a runway is clear were out of service at the time of this accident. This has been the case since December 27, 2023, so it started several days before the incident. There was a NOTAM about this (this is a notice to pilots that they’re supposed to read prior to operating a flight), so it’s something pilots should have known.

The Japan Coast Guard aircraft was about to perform a flight to deliver aid following Japan’s earthquake. One has to wonder if the pilots were rushed and exhausted, didn’t fully read the NOTAMs, and then interpreted being “number one” plus the lack of runway warning lights as an indication that they were cleared for takeoff?

Bottom line

A Japan Airlines Airbus A350 and a Japan Coast Guard Bombardier DHC-8 collided on runway 34R at Tokyo Haneda Airport. The A350 managed to be evacuated with no human fatalities, while tragically five of the six people on the Japan Coast Guard aircraft died.

The Japan Airlines A350 had been given permission to land, while the Japan Coast Guard turboprop entered the runway without permission, and sat there for over 40 seconds before being hit.

As this accident is investigated, the big question is why this happened. Why did the Japan Coast Guard plane taxi onto the runway without permission? Why didn’t anyone notice that a plane was sitting on the runway for over 40 seconds without permission? Why did it take so long for the plane to be evacuated?

What do you make of this Tokyo Haneda Airport incident?

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  1. Steven E Guest

    Very sad but a good outcome for the crew and pax on the A350 - I’m assuming that the Airbus was committed to the landing and there would have been no possibility to abort the landing

  2. Donato Guest

    I have been on multiple aborted landing, especially while on LH metal. It seems their operating rules demand aborting if the runway is not visibly clear from 1000M. Was it really impossible to see the incursion? I have read thy small aircraft was there a few minutes.

  3. Albert Guest

    The 'plane ended up off the the right of the runway, so facing almost north.
    Was this a deliberate choice by the pilots to have the engine on fire in a a less dangerous position relative to the wind?

  4. Kor Guest

    Your article is not in line with other media reports regarding evacuation. It has been reported that evacuation was mostly finished within 7 minutes after the aircraft came to stop, with some passengers still on board and in state of shock. It took the captain 11 minutes to reassure them to leave the aircraft and he/she was last to leave approx 18 minutes after the incident. Maybe you should check it out?

  5. Randy Diamond

    With the collapsed front noise of the plane, that lower the slides. Likely made it a little quicker to get off. Less hestitation, and maybe more at a time. No steep slide in front of you.

  6. James Guest

    It’s not necessarily a bad thing that it took 7 minutes before evacuating. Most of the passengers did evacuate within 90 seconds, and obviously the crew was just working out what the safest way to do it was. Clearly they decided right given there weren’t even any serious injuries for those on the A350.

    1. Henry Guest

      This ended well, thanks to luck and to a well constructed plane. Everyone should have been off it 7 minutes earlier though. This was a frontal collision, it is understandable that people in the nose were dazzled - thankfully they recovered in time.

  7. Charles Guest

    The warning lights being U/S may be a moot point, since apparently they’re only utilized in low visibility conditions, which was not the case at the time of the accident.

  8. JustSaying New Member

    Looks like the Japanese government is going to buy JAL a new aircraft.......

  9. Bismay Mishra Guest

    We were on the HND-SFO flight that was taxiing when this happened. I must give credit to our flight crew - they were amazing - they were incredibly professional, helpful and calm considering that they themselves weren't getting a whole lot of information. Because of the delay, we taxied to a safe spot and were allowed to use our devices - which is when we read about and got messages from loved ones finding out...

    We were on the HND-SFO flight that was taxiing when this happened. I must give credit to our flight crew - they were amazing - they were incredibly professional, helpful and calm considering that they themselves weren't getting a whole lot of information. Because of the delay, we taxied to a safe spot and were allowed to use our devices - which is when we read about and got messages from loved ones finding out what happened. The crew tried to do everything in their capacity to help us and take care of us, including serving food & refreshments, while still not knowing when we will depart or if the flight will be cancelled.

    4 more replies
  10. Six Travelers Guest

    As a former cabin crew member, it was standard procedure to shout commands, rather than use an intercom system. For example, the commands given passengers at the back of the aircraft from that cabin crew may be different than the commands given at the front of the aircraft. In addition, a flight attendant is going to be moving around, evacuating passengers and really can't be tethered to an intercom cord no longer than a few feet.

  11. IrishAlan Diamond

    While there’s a lot to be praised, there’s a lot to be answered:

    1. Why did the coast guard plane end up on the runway? Was it the runway warning lights being out of service? Should the global standard change to runways requiring immediate warning light repair?

    2. Did the JAL pilots have a visual of the plane on the runway? Could they have aborted landing? Many of us have been in aborted landings where...

    While there’s a lot to be praised, there’s a lot to be answered:

    1. Why did the coast guard plane end up on the runway? Was it the runway warning lights being out of service? Should the global standard change to runways requiring immediate warning light repair?

    2. Did the JAL pilots have a visual of the plane on the runway? Could they have aborted landing? Many of us have been in aborted landings where even a wheel has touched before aborting, so it’s often not too late. Could this have been like the Asiana crash at SFO where the FO saw they were going to impact the water’s edge and didn’t warn the captain due to culture and rank? Japanese culture is more similar to Korean culture than different in this age and respect factor.

    3. The Wall Street Journal reports the JAL press conference stating that from time of landing until the final passenger evacuated it was 18 minutes! I wonder if that is accurate? The videos certainly show passengers sitting inside the plane for a while before evacuation began. Some of that was certainly necessary to evaluate the fire and which exits were useable, but was too long taken? Were we seconds from a large number of fatalities?

    4. Should we move to a global standard of window blinds being opened for take off and landing? I know I’ve had FAs in countries that enforce say that they need a visual of engines from their jump seats. This incident surely makes the case for this being global.

    1. Wolff13 Gold

      I once was on a plane landing at JFK and suddenly we went up, because someone was on the runway that we were about to land on.

  12. Trey Guest

    Aside from the evacuation, you also have to give kudos to the JAL pilots for keeping the aircraft on the centerline to stopping point. Failure to control or trying to avoid the Dash-8 could've resulted in cart-wheeling or veering off into ditch. Also a bit fortunate (at least for JAL) that it was a big aircraft vs a small one; had it been 2 737s in the collision, the results would've been very different.

  13. Ivan Guest

    Did the Coast Guard plane had its beacon and strobe lights working? So others can see you.

  14. Mike O. Guest

    I'm surprised that the flight numbers haven't been retired as they're still being used. Korean immediately retired the flight numbers from the Cebu accident. Same for Asiana 214.

    Moving on, it just shows you how well built modern jets are. Usually tragic events nowadays are caused by some form of human error or faulty maintenance practices and not a design flaw with the aircraft itself (exception would be the MAX)

    1. MaroonOtter Member

      it's been a day... Asiana didn't retire the 214 flight number until Augsut 2013, a month after the accident

  15. Tim Dunn Diamond

    Even the Japanese government has released enough information to indicate that the Coast Guard aircraft was in the wrong place.

    There are a number of serious lapses that prevented any one of multiple safety checks from preventing the accident and every one of them has to be evaluated.

    This could have been much, much worse and it is beyond sad that structural deficiencies contributed to the loss of the Coast Guard crew that were...

    Even the Japanese government has released enough information to indicate that the Coast Guard aircraft was in the wrong place.

    There are a number of serious lapses that prevented any one of multiple safety checks from preventing the accident and every one of them has to be evaluated.

    This could have been much, much worse and it is beyond sad that structural deficiencies contributed to the loss of the Coast Guard crew that were trying to help their fellow citizens that were already in severe need.

  16. James Guest

    Good Advice that bears repeating. I always dress in 100% cotton shirt and pants. I wear walking shoes. I remember reading years ago that you should be prepared to evacuate via slide and walk on broken glass even though you will probably never have to.

    1 more reply
  17. Seo Hyun-Min Guest

    Is it just me or is nothing developing in Japan anymore aside from that Maglev train? They're already behind Korea and China in software, hardware, behind with Korea in salary, GDP per capita, avg net worthstandard of living, and military too. Their economy is now behind Germany. They literally peaked in 80s and 90s. Toyota was even faking safety tests for 30 years. Japan has fallen behind

    4 more replies
  18. Ricardo Guest

    Kudos to the Japanese pax.
    I know here in the U.S. we would have had fatalities on a plane like this, since everyone would try and take their bags.

    6 more replies
  19. Jon Guest

    I landed at Haneda at 5am local time today. No delays. About half of departing flights are cancelled mainly due to “change of aircraft”.

  20. BenjaminGuttery Diamond

    I know many have already said this but, KUDOS to the JAL flight team on getting everyone out safely and orderly. Sadly, even with this same crew, I don't see this happening on a similar incident in the states. It would be a nightmare and a "every man and woman for themselves", along with "needing" to get off everything they have with them.

  21. derek Guest

    ODD ARRIVAL INFORMATION

    Check the flight status of the flight on the JAL website....

    JAL516 15:50 — 17:35
    16:15 Departed
    (Gate 12)
    17:46 Landed
    (North Wing)
    Delayed due to late arrival of aircraft.

    ----
    The home page has a link to an apology.

    Collision Incident Involving Japan Airlines Flight JAL516 and Japan Coast Guard Aircraft
    We regret to inform you that on the evening of January 2nd (Japan time), JL516...

    ODD ARRIVAL INFORMATION

    Check the flight status of the flight on the JAL website....

    JAL516 15:50 — 17:35
    16:15 Departed
    (Gate 12)
    17:46 Landed
    (North Wing)
    Delayed due to late arrival of aircraft.

    ----
    The home page has a link to an apology.

    Collision Incident Involving Japan Airlines Flight JAL516 and Japan Coast Guard Aircraft
    We regret to inform you that on the evening of January 2nd (Japan time), JL516 was involved in a collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft during its landing at Haneda Airport, resulting in a fire on the runway.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased members of the Japan Coast Guard.
    We have confirmed that all passengers and crew on our flight were evacuated.
    We would like to assure you that we will provide our full cooperation in the investigation of this unfortunate event.

    January 2, 2024
    Japan Airlines

    1 more reply
  22. Alan123 Guest

    Huge kudos to that crew for getting everyone off in time before it became a fireball. Amazing. It just goes to remind that THIS is what they are there for. Helping you find space for your 5 oversized carry-ons and answering the call bell to give you more drinks while you complain about them not being pretty or thin or smiling enough? Those are extras. They are literally there to save our lives.

    5 more replies
  23. derek Guest

    Japanese news says the airport will reopen today (Wednesday). It is now 11:55 pm Tuesday in Japan

    1. derek Guest

      The airport opened early, opening Tuesday night.

  24. derek Guest

    Delta's 4:50 pm departure to Seattle made it out but the Detroit flight scheduled to leave just after the crash was canceled.

    The coast guard Dash 8-300 was carrying earthquake relief supplies.

    In the past, passengers tend to take baggage if there's no smoke in the cabin.

  25. D3kingg Guest

    What condition was the Dash 8 in ? That plane was on a mission in response to the earthquake. Curious to see the aircraft maintenance log.

    Anyone that takes carry on bags with them when evacuating a plane should face imprisonment . In that instance physical assault should be deemed as self defense.

    2 more replies
  26. Antwerp Guest

    Interesting that many here take is that it was Japanese society having an adherence to following instructions to a tee which contributed to the success of the evacuation.

    In fact, according to Av Herald, passengers were quoted as saying that the only crew instructions were to "Please stay calm and remain seated." What then happened was that a large group of passengers ignored the instructions and started evacuating on their own. Everyone else then...

    Interesting that many here take is that it was Japanese society having an adherence to following instructions to a tee which contributed to the success of the evacuation.

    In fact, according to Av Herald, passengers were quoted as saying that the only crew instructions were to "Please stay calm and remain seated." What then happened was that a large group of passengers ignored the instructions and started evacuating on their own. Everyone else then followed.

    So much for that theory. Or else a burning aircraft is the one thing that motivates the Japanese to suddenly say to heck with the rules.

    8 more replies
  27. Randy Diamond

    CNN is reporting that the overwing and rear exit doors did not function. All passengers had to exit from the front doors.

    No details but the report did not imply that the exits were blocked by flames. Maybe damaged by the collision and jammed.

    2 more replies
  28. Stapleton Guest

    CNN reported that not all of the emergency doors opened. Is that true?

    1. Albert Guest

      We will have to wait for details of this one, but after some other accident on landing where opening the door caused flames to be blown into the cabin, the crew are supposed to give some thought to which doors to open rather than just open every one which is not damaged.

  29. Caelus Guest

    First day of 2024: earthquake
    Second day: plane crash

    What an awful start of 2024

    1 more reply
  30. François Guest

    Looks like they're already partly reopened and using 34L for incoming flights now (the incident was on 34R), as QR812 just touched down with EK312 right behind it. I was actually at the observation deck about an hour before this happened, and I'm glad I left beforehand.

  31. Syd Guest

    Sadly, appears 5 dead now, all on the Dash. Only captain seems to have made it out. Does look like a pilot deviation. Awful and sad story all around.

  32. Raj Guest

    We were on the taxiway when this occured (in JL2 HND -SFO). Still inside the aircraft as of 4 hours after the incident.

  33. kuma Member

    With scarce information I can't say for sure, but it is likely that given the flight origin/destination and timing, majority of passengers would be people living in Japan. I'd bet the extremely orderliness of local population (regardless of nationality) have helped with evacuation.

    In Japan, people can finish boarding a 787/350 in just 10 minutes. If you wanted to, you can time to arrive at the airport 30min before departure, spend 5min in security, another...

    With scarce information I can't say for sure, but it is likely that given the flight origin/destination and timing, majority of passengers would be people living in Japan. I'd bet the extremely orderliness of local population (regardless of nationality) have helped with evacuation.

    In Japan, people can finish boarding a 787/350 in just 10 minutes. If you wanted to, you can time to arrive at the airport 30min before departure, spend 5min in security, another few walking to the gate, and still make it with ease for boarding 10 minutes before departure.

    5 more replies
  34. Scania Guest

    Incredible that everyone on the A350 survived. A testament to a great aircraft.

    2 more replies
  35. Angeles Guest

    Just to add context to the to the story behind the Japan Coast Guard plane, they were on a mission to carry emergency equipment/supplies to the recent Noto peninsula earthquake.

    *The JCG plane and its crews have a permanent base station in Haneda.

  36. DaBluBoi Guest

    Between this and the earthquake from yesterday, has been a pretty awful start to the year for Japan...

  37. Aussie Guest

    That plane evacuation is a testament to Japanese discipline, professionalism and selflessness.

    Can you imagine if this happened on an American flight? Survival would be dismal as passengers are too busy taking selfies, too fat to extricate themselves from their seats, grabbing their overhead luggage/botox kits and/or getting offended when cabin crew misgender them during emergency directives.

    Very sad regarding the coast guard crew though.

    10 more replies
  38. Yang Jin-Hong Guest

    Shouldn't have poured nuclear wastewater for all your neighbors to drink.

    9 more replies
  39. Pro labor Guest

    THIS is why cabin crew (flight attendants) deserve every single penny of the raise that they’re asking for. Job well done to aviation’s first responders!

    4 more replies
  40. Jordan Diamond

    This is why you NEVER wear flip-flops, sandals, or high heels on a plane. NEVER as your primary footwear.

    My shoes are always on below 10,000 ft. Laced only, or well-secured velcro straps sneakers. It just can't be said enough. I remember a former head of the FAA saying once "Always be prepared to run through fire in an emergency on the runway".

    I've had to evacuate an aircraft on the runway before. You're...

    This is why you NEVER wear flip-flops, sandals, or high heels on a plane. NEVER as your primary footwear.

    My shoes are always on below 10,000 ft. Laced only, or well-secured velcro straps sneakers. It just can't be said enough. I remember a former head of the FAA saying once "Always be prepared to run through fire in an emergency on the runway".

    I've had to evacuate an aircraft on the runway before. You're running. Can't run fast in flip-flops or high heels. I have a pic of a passengers shoes at MDE airport last month. 10-inch heels, and she sat in the exit row!! SMH.

    I always think back to that CO DC10 story, that aborted take-off at LAX on its way to Hawaii. As passengers evacuated, they had to run through fire, and most of the severe injuries were on their feet. Sandal wearers to Hawaii.

    Let's be smart in 2024. No sandals, flip-flops or high heels on planes.

    Glad everyone made it out ok at HND.

    10 more replies
  41. Nick Guest

    More information - the aircraft collided with the JAL A350 was the Japan Coast Guard's Bombardier DHC-8-300, and from that aircraft, the first officer was hurt but the status of five other crew is unknown.

    Japan's new year is starting tough - they had a major earthquake on 1st Jan (the Japan Coast Guard aircraft was on its mission to deliver the supply to the affected region), and now first hull loss of JAL aircraft...

    More information - the aircraft collided with the JAL A350 was the Japan Coast Guard's Bombardier DHC-8-300, and from that aircraft, the first officer was hurt but the status of five other crew is unknown.

    Japan's new year is starting tough - they had a major earthquake on 1st Jan (the Japan Coast Guard aircraft was on its mission to deliver the supply to the affected region), and now first hull loss of JAL aircraft in last 39 years, as well as the first A350 destroyed...

    2 more replies
  42. Mick Guest

    Incredible story and hopefully reports are correct that nobody has died.

    Can’t help but think that Japanese passengers would be smart enough to follow the rules and leave their carry ons onboard and therefore save lives.

    1. UncleRonnie Member

      Reports are that the passengers behaviour during evacuation was exemplary, as expected with Japanese people.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

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Kor Guest

What an ignorant and inappropriate comment! How is economy of Japan related to this accident????

7
Jordan Diamond

This is why you NEVER wear flip-flops, sandals, or high heels on a plane. NEVER as your primary footwear. My shoes are always on below 10,000 ft. Laced only, or well-secured velcro straps sneakers. It just can't be said enough. I remember a former head of the FAA saying once "Always be prepared to run through fire in an emergency on the runway". I've had to evacuate an aircraft on the runway before. You're running. Can't run fast in flip-flops or high heels. I have a pic of a passengers shoes at MDE airport last month. 10-inch heels, and she sat in the exit row!! SMH. I always think back to that CO DC10 story, that aborted take-off at LAX on its way to Hawaii. As passengers evacuated, they had to run through fire, and most of the severe injuries were on their feet. Sandal wearers to Hawaii. Let's be smart in 2024. No sandals, flip-flops or high heels on planes. Glad everyone made it out ok at HND.

6
W. T. Pooh Guest

Just the Japanese ones.

4
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