A Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 caught fire upon touchdown on Haneda Airport runway 34R, and the cause of the fire was a collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft. While all passengers and crew of the JAL flight escaped, there are 5 coast guard crew whom unfortunately passed away.
By: Haotian
Published on: 2 January 2024, 6.37pm (GMT +8)
The 2 year old Airbus A350-900 burst into flames at Haneda Airport. Photo: Bastian Ding (jetphotos.com)
A Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900, registered JA13XJ, caught on fire at Tokyo’s Haneda airport on 2 January 2024, at 5.47pm (GMT +9), according to Flightradar24. The aircraft had departed from Hokkaido Shin-Chitose airport (RJCC/CTS), bound for Haneda Airport (RJTT/HND), under flight number JL516.
All passengers and crew, which make up a total of 379 people, have been safely evacuated from the blazing aircraft.
What caused the blazing inferno?
The aircraft burst into flames upon touchdown on Haneda Airport's runway 34R. Photo: Kyodo News (kyodonews.net)
The aircraft had collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft on the runway, and the Japan Coast Guard is investigating the situation. Among 6 of the coast guard crew who were on the aircraft, only one survived, and 5 others tragically passed away. The plane, a De-Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q300, registered JA720A, which was carrying supplies to the Niigata Airport located at the west coast of Japan, where it was struck by an earthquake on 1 January 2024.
The De Havilland Q300 which was involved in this tragic accident. Photo: Academic Accelerator (academic-accelerator.com)
A spokesperson for Tokyo Haneda Airport has confirmed that Haneda Airport has suspended operations in and out of the airport, and that all runways were closed.
This is the first ever reported hull loss from an A350.
Investigations are ongoing for this unfortunate event. Project AeroFlight sends our sincere condolences for the victims' families and loved ones.
Rest in Peace to the lives lost on the coast guard plane 😔 really sad incident