Industry News
A Japanese Airline (‘JAL’) flight from Chitose Airport to Tokyo Haneda burst into flames as it landed at the domestic airport of Japan’s capital on Tuesday, January 2, 2023. The plane allegedly struck a Coast Guard flight that was due to fly aid to the regions affected by the New Year’s Day earthquake in Ishikawa prefecture. All 379 passengers and crew of the JAL plane were evacuated and have survived, some with mild injuries or smoke inhalation.
生まれて初めて、生命の危機を感じました。
A350の45Hに座っていましたが、ものすごい衝撃の直後、両翼から炎が…
前のハッチしか開かず、機内に煙が充満する中ケータイだけ手に脱出してきました。 pic.twitter.com/is5R8KccSw— Ricole (@ricole0704) January 2, 2024
The flight from Chitose Airport on the island of Hokkaido has been identified as JL516, an Airbus A350. On board the JAL plane were 367 passengers and 12 crew. The Coast Guard aircraft was flight MA-722, a Bombardier Dash-8. The Coast Guard flight carried six crew, including the pilot. Only the pilot of the Coast Guard plane survived the collision, the other five people on the plane were confirmed to be deceased
Chitose Airport is in Sapporo and is a popular transport hub for skiers in Niseko, Furano, Kiroro, and Rusutsu. The ski fields are located about 1-2 hours from the Chitose Airport and shuttle busses frequent ski resorts in the area from the airport.
The below video shows the moment the plane strikes the Coast Guard aircraft which was apparently getting ready for take-off.
Video: a JAL plane caught fire while landing at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport this evening. Fire crews are on scene trying to extinguish the blaze. pic.twitter.com/YCVB4tPMRL
— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) January 2, 2024
All flights at Haneda airport are currently canceled. It is expected that the closure will affect thousands of domestic travelers who were planning to head to the ski fields. The Japanese ski fields are a very popular holiday destination for Australian, who currently have summer school holidays until the end of January.
A person on board the plane shared videos from inside the plane on Twitter.
死ぬかと思った pic.twitter.com/S7rDPmyssl
— あ (@alto_maple) January 2, 2024
