What Happened
A mid-air collision occurred between a Japan Airlines flight and a Coast Guard plane. The commercial aircraft, a Japan Airlines A350, was forced to make a fiery emergency landing at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. While all the passengers and crew on the Japan Airlines flight were safely evacuated, five of the six people aboard the Coast Guard plane are missing.
Why It Matters
This incident underscores the critical importance of aviation safety and highlights the potential dangers of crowded airspaces. The collision also comes at a particularly sensitive time for Japan, following a devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the country the previous day.
By the Numbers
All 379 passengers and crew on Japan Airlines flight 516 are accounted for and were safely evacuated after the aircraft landed engulfed in flames. Sadly, there is no word on the five missing individuals from the Coast Guard plane involved in the mid-air collision.
The Context
The domestic flight, originating from New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, collided with the Coast Guard aircraft, which was on a mission following the recent earthquake. The collision occurred as the Japan Airlines flight was nearing its scheduled arrival at Haneda at 5:40 PM local time.
Current Status
Assessment of the damage and an investigation into the cause of the collision are underway. News of the dramatic landing circulated on social media, drawing attention to the safety procedures that helped prevent casualties among the passengers and crew of the commercial flight.
The Bigger Picture
This accident comes on the heels of a national tragedy, as Japan grapples with the aftermath of a deadly earthquake and a subsequent tsunami. With the country still reeling from these events, the incident at Haneda Airport adds to Japan’s current crises, raising questions about the effect on national morale and transport safety.
This story was first published on jpost.com.