Japan Airlines Plane Explodes in Flames While Landing at Airport in Tokyo

Photo Copyright: © KIM MINCHAN - PlaneSpotters.net

Japan Airlines Airbus A350-941 (Reg. JA13XJ), performing flight JL516 from Chitose/Tomakomai, collided with a Japan Coast Guard Bombardier DHC-8-315Q Dash 8 (Reg. JA722A) at Tokyo Haneda Airport during landing on runway 34R, resulting in a devastating fire. 

During the impact, the Airbus A350 experienced a collapse of its nose gear, leading to engines catching fire as the aircraft came to a halt. Despite successfully evacuating all passengers and crew, the right-hand engine proved challenging to shut down and continued running throughout the evacuation process. Unfortunately, in the separate Dash 8 aircraft involved, five out of six occupants lost their lives, while the Airbus A350 sustained extensive fire damage, resulting in destruction.

Japan Airlines Airbus A350-941 (JA13XJ) utilization statistics

The plane involved is a 2-year-old Airbus A350-941 (JA13XJ). According to our data, the plane has flown 2884.0 hours recently, with an average of 240.3 flight hours per month.

Source: NHK News

Japan Airlines flight JL516 from Chitose/Tomakomai to Tokyo Haneda

According to the track log of flight JL516, the last position we reported was at 08:47UTC, registering 121 knots, and was the last ADS-B position recorded by our ground stations.

The final data transmitted by the Japan Coast Guard DHC-8 aircraft was recorded at 08:47 UTC on January 02. The aircraft lacked an ADS-B transponder. It was engaged in a mission to aid the relief operations in response to the earthquakes that had affected Japan.

Update 1: 5 Coast Guard members lost their lives, and the captain sustained severe injuries. 

Update 2: Airbus is dispatching a team of specialists to assist the Authorities.

Update 3: Investigative efforts intensify as Japanese authorities meticulously examine crash debris at Haneda in pursuit of the crucial cockpit voice recorder from the recent JAL A350 collision. 

Source: BBC

Recently disclosed transcripts of air traffic control communications just before the incident affirm that the JAL Airbus A350 had received clearance to land. Contrarily, the coastguard Bombardier Dash-8 did not obtain authorization for takeoff.

Authorities state that the JAL flight was granted permission to land on runway 34R at Haneda. At the same time, the coastguard aircraft was instructed to "taxi to holding point C5," a designated location on the airfield's taxiway system where aircraft await clearance to enter the active runway for takeoff.

The transcript reveals that the coastguard aircraft acknowledged the air traffic control instruction to taxi to the holding point, marking its final communication before the collision.

After the tragic event, two haunting photos capture the remnants of JA13XJ, the once Airbus A350. The images showcase the fire's aftermath, revealing the damage inflicted upon the aircraft. 

Photo Source: ANN News

Photo Source: ANN News

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