5 dead after JAL jet collides with coast guard plane at Tokyo airport | ABS-CBN

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5 dead after JAL jet collides with coast guard plane at Tokyo airport
5 dead after JAL jet collides with coast guard plane at Tokyo airport
Kyodo News
Published Jan 02, 2024 10:21 PM PHT
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Updated Jan 03, 2024 01:00 AM PHT

(UPDATED) A Japan Airlines Co. passenger jet collided with a Japan Coast Guard plane at Tokyo's Haneda airport Tuesday, causing both aircraft to catch fire and killing five coast guard members, while all 379 on board the commercial flight escaped without life-threatening injuries.
(UPDATED) A Japan Airlines Co. passenger jet collided with a Japan Coast Guard plane at Tokyo's Haneda airport Tuesday, causing both aircraft to catch fire and killing five coast guard members, while all 379 on board the commercial flight escaped without life-threatening injuries.
The accident occurred at around 5:47 p.m., a minute after the JAL plane from Sapporo landed with 367 passengers on board, including eight small children. Five of the six coast guard members on board the other aircraft, whose ages ranged from 27 to 56, were confirmed dead, although the captain managed to escape, according to police.
The accident occurred at around 5:47 p.m., a minute after the JAL plane from Sapporo landed with 367 passengers on board, including eight small children. Five of the six coast guard members on board the other aircraft, whose ages ranged from 27 to 56, were confirmed dead, although the captain managed to escape, according to police.
A total of 15 people were injured in the accident, including Genki Miyamoto, the coast guard plane's 39-year-old captain, according to firefighters.
A total of 15 people were injured in the accident, including Genki Miyamoto, the coast guard plane's 39-year-old captain, according to firefighters.
The aircraft, which was based at Haneda airport, was moving on the runway when it collided with the JAL jet. The transport ministry said the cause of the accident is still unknown and is investigating their communications with flight control.
The aircraft, which was based at Haneda airport, was moving on the runway when it collided with the JAL jet. The transport ministry said the cause of the accident is still unknown and is investigating their communications with flight control.
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JAL Managing Executive Officer Noriyuki Aoki said at a press conference the company's passenger plane was given permission to land, and that it was too early to determine the cause of the accident.
JAL Managing Executive Officer Noriyuki Aoki said at a press conference the company's passenger plane was given permission to land, and that it was too early to determine the cause of the accident.
He apologized for "all the trouble caused to our customers" and said the airline "offers our sincerest prayers to the deceased."
He apologized for "all the trouble caused to our customers" and said the airline "offers our sincerest prayers to the deceased."
The coast guard aircraft was scheduled to depart Haneda airport at 4:45 p.m. and arrive in Niigata airport at 5:55 p.m. to deliver relief aid for people affected by the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that jolted the Noto Peninsula and its vicinity along the Sea of Japan coast Monday, according to the coast guard.
The coast guard aircraft was scheduled to depart Haneda airport at 4:45 p.m. and arrive in Niigata airport at 5:55 p.m. to deliver relief aid for people affected by the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that jolted the Noto Peninsula and its vicinity along the Sea of Japan coast Monday, according to the coast guard.
The airport closed all four of its runways, disrupting air traffic during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, when many people return to their hometowns to reunite with their families for the New Year holidays.
The airport closed all four of its runways, disrupting air traffic during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, when many people return to their hometowns to reunite with their families for the New Year holidays.
Three of the four runways, all except the one where the collision took place, were reopened at around 9:30 p.m., the ministry said.
Three of the four runways, all except the one where the collision took place, were reopened at around 9:30 p.m., the ministry said.
JAL said it canceled 116 domestic flights following the accident, affecting a total of about 20,000 passengers. All Nippon Airways Co. also canceled 110 flights to and from Haneda airport.
JAL said it canceled 116 domestic flights following the accident, affecting a total of about 20,000 passengers. All Nippon Airways Co. also canceled 110 flights to and from Haneda airport.
"It is extremely regrettable to have lost the precious lives of our members. We offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved," Japan Coast Guard vice commandant Yoshio Seguchi told a separate press conference.
"It is extremely regrettable to have lost the precious lives of our members. We offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved," Japan Coast Guard vice commandant Yoshio Seguchi told a separate press conference.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting with transport minister Tetsuo Saito and instructed him to investigate the cause of the accident.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting with transport minister Tetsuo Saito and instructed him to investigate the cause of the accident.
The passengers and crew aboard JAL's plane escaped the burning aircraft using emergency slides, the transport ministry said.
The passengers and crew aboard JAL's plane escaped the burning aircraft using emergency slides, the transport ministry said.
"I felt a bump, like the aircraft was colliding with something when touching down. I saw a spark outside the window and the cabin was filled with gas and smoke," one of the passengers said.
"I felt a bump, like the aircraft was colliding with something when touching down. I saw a spark outside the window and the cabin was filled with gas and smoke," one of the passengers said.
The passenger jet was an Airbus A350 jetliner, JAL said. The Japan Coast Guard said its aircraft was a Bombardier DHC8-300.
The passenger jet was an Airbus A350 jetliner, JAL said. The Japan Coast Guard said its aircraft was a Bombardier DHC8-300.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said it has launched an investigation into the accident on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death and injury.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said it has launched an investigation into the accident on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death and injury.
The Japan Transport Safety Board, the transport ministry's affiliated agency in charge of investigating serious accidents involving airplanes, trains and ships, sent six inspectors to the scene, the ministry said.
The Japan Transport Safety Board, the transport ministry's affiliated agency in charge of investigating serious accidents involving airplanes, trains and ships, sent six inspectors to the scene, the ministry said.
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