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A Japan Airlines plane carrying 379 passengers and 12 crew members caught fire after colliding with a Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time, when the Japan Airlines flight JL123, a Boeing 777-300ER, was preparing to take off for New York. According to eyewitnesses, the plane veered off the runway and hit a Coast Guard Cessna 208 Caravan, which was parked on a nearby apron.
The collision sparked a massive fire that engulfed both aircraft and spread to the surrounding area. The flames and smoke were visible from several kilometers away, causing panic and chaos among the passengers and airport staff.
All of the 379 passengers on board the Japan Airlines plane were evacuated safely, the airline confirmed, as well as the additional 12 crew members. The captain also managed to escape. Five of the passengers on the Coast Guard aircraft, who were initially reported missing, have been found but their condition is unknown, according to Kyodo news agency, which cited the Tokyo fire department.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that the Japan Airlines plane may have experienced a mechanical failure or a pilot error. The Coast Guard aircraft was reportedly undergoing maintenance and was not supposed to be on the apron.
The accident has disrupted the operations of Haneda airport, one of the busiest in the world, with dozens of flights being canceled or delayed. The airport authorities have issued an apology and asked the travelers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
The Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has expressed his condolences and sympathy to the victims and their families, and vowed to provide all the necessary support and assistance. He has also ordered a thorough and transparent investigation into the accident, and promised to take measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.
