Collision at Tokyo-Haneda Airport

Not a good start to the New Year, as on 2 January 2024 Japan Airlines flight JL516, operated by Airbus A350-941 JA13XJ (538), collided with a Japan Coast Guard DHC-8-315Q MPA aircraft (JA722A, 656) on runway 34R at Tokyo-Haneda Airport, Japan.

The flight from Sapporo-New Chitose was landing on runway 34R when the accident happened. Video footage shows that the nose gear of the A350 collapsed after the collision with the Coast Guard Bombardier. A fire erupted and continued while the Airbus was evacuated on the runway.

According to a Japan Airlines spokesperson, there were 367 passengers and twelve crew members onboard JL516, who evacuated safely despite some difficulties. The fire continued to spread and completely consumed the Airbus.

The Japan Coast Guard DHC-8-300MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft) was also engulfed in flames. The pilot escaped, with serious injuries, but sadly the other five  crew members did not survive. The Dash 8 was on its way to transport supplies to Niigata Air Base in response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

Listen to actual communications between Haneda Air Traffic Control and other aircraft around the airport.

This marks the first hull loss of an Airbus A350...

Photo: Michel van der Voort