Possible title: Air Traffic Control Transcript Indicates Japan Coast Guard Plane Did Not Receive Clearance for Takeoff, Leading to Fatal Runway Crash
Coast guard plane in deadly Tokyo runway crash not authorized for takeoff, according to air traffic control transcript, raising questions about the tragedy's cause
According to an official transcript of air traffic control communications released on Wednesday, the Japanese coast guard aircraft involved in the collision at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport was directed to "taxi to holding point" and had not been given permission to take off. The tragic incident occurred when the coast guard aircraft was struck by Japan Airlines flight 516 after landing, resulting in a devastating explosion.
All 379 passengers on the Japan Airlines (JAL) plane were successfully evacuated, while five out of six crew members on the smaller coast guard aircraft tragically lost their lives, as confirmed by Japanese transport minister Tetsuo Saito.
On Wednesday, Saito made public the transcript of over four minutes of communication between air traffic controllers and the two planes right before the incident occurred, revealing that the Japan Airlines flight had been cleared for landing.
The burnt-out Japan Airlines plane is pictured at Haneda airport on Wednesday.
Kyodo News/AP
Air traffic control gave the JAL passenger plane permission to land on Runway C at 5:43:26 p.m. local time (3:43:26 a.m. ET), according to the transcript.
The transcript does not clearly indicate approval for the coast guard aircraft to take off. Instead, it instructs the aircraft to "taxi to holding point" at 5:45:11 p.m. (3:45:11 a.m. ET). The coast guard plane's crew confirmed the instruction seconds later. Approximately two minutes later, the JAL flight collided with the coast guard plane on the runway, as seen in the airport surveillance video timestamp.
Transport Secretary Saito informed reporters on Wednesday that the incident is currently under investigation. The next step will involve reviewing the audio recording of the conversation between the coast guard pilot and the flight control tower. Saito also emphasized that the transport ministry is taking necessary precautions to avoid similar accidents in the future. This includes instructing airlines and air traffic control agencies to strictly adhere to basic operations and procedures.
An aerial photograph depicts the charred remains of a Japan Airlines plane at Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Tragedy struck when the large passenger plane collided with a Japanese coast guard aircraft on the runway at Haneda Airport the day before, igniting a fierce inferno that claimed the lives of several individuals aboard the coast guard plane, according to officials. (Kyodo News via AP)
Kyodo News/AP
Miracle at Haneda: Passengers describe terror and relief after fiery Japan Airlines collision
Following Saito's press conference, officials from the Japan Transportation Safety Board (JTSB) confirmed that they had recovered the flight and voice recorders from the coast guard aircraft. However, they stated that they were still searching for the recorders from the JAL plane.
An official from JTBS informed reporters that the air traffic controller had granted clearance for the JAL plane to land on runway C and directed the coast guard aircraft to "hold point."
Japan Airlines stated late Tuesday that its crew had received clearance from air traffic control to land before the collision occurred. The audio from LiveATC.net seemed to indicate that the crew had indeed received clearance for runway 34, as they were heard saying, "cleared to land 34 right."
Japan Airlines has committed to fully cooperating with the investigation aimed at determining the cause of the tragic crash. Survivors and witnesses described their terror turning to relief as it became apparent that everyone on board the Airbus A350 had survived.
Japan Airlines reported that only one person on board their plane sustained bruises, while 13 others sought medical consultation for physical discomfort. Runway incursions, categorized as rare but potentially catastrophic incidents, were described by Graham Braithwaite, a safety and accident investigation professor at the UK's Cranfield University.
CNNs Helen Regan, Pete Muntean and Lauren Koenig contributed reporting.
