As Fires Cool, Investigation Begins

Japan Airlines and Airbus were quick to comment on a recent accident involving an Airbus A350 and De Havilland Dash-8 that ended in 5 deaths, noting with sadness the lost lives.

JAL was short and frank, acknowledging the issue quickly. “We regret to inform you that on the evening of January 2nd, JL516 was involved in a collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft during its landing at Haneda Airport, resulting in a fire on the runway. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased members of the Japan Coast Guard. We want to assure you that all passengers and crew on our flight were safely evacuated.”

The carrier continued. “We would like to extend our sincerest apologies for the distress and inconvenience caused to our passengers, their families, and all those affected by this incident. We would like to assure you that we will provide our full cooperation in the investigation of this unfortunate event.”

Airbus, for its part, was quick on the ball, striking fast to ensure nobody came away believing fault lay with them. Thanks to them, a more accurate passenger count on JAL516 was found. Prior to that, accounts varied in the number involved, from 300 to 380 pax.

“Airbus regrets to confirm that an A350-900 operated by Japan Airlines was involved in an accident during flight JAL516 from Sapporo New Chitose Airport to Haneda International Airport shortly after 17:47 (local time) on 02 January 2024. All 367 passengers and 12 crew members on-board evacuated the aircraft. The A350 collided with a DHC-8 aircraft at landing in Haneda. The Japanese authorities have since confirmed that sadly five of the six people on board the DHC-8 did not survive. The exact circumstances of the event are still unknown.”

Airbus continued, talking about what is likely the first-rever hull loss for the A350. “The aircraft involved in the accident, registered under the number JA13XJ, was MSN 538, delivered to Japan Airlines from the production line on 10 November 2021. It was powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.”

In line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 recommendations, Airbus will provide technical assistance to the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) of France and to the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) in charge of the investigation. For this purpose, Airbus is presently dispatching a team of specialists to assist the Authorities. Further updates will be provided as soon as consolidated information is available and Airbus is authorized to release them. Our concerns and sympathy go to the families, friends and loved ones affected by the accident.”

FMI: www.airbus.com