The Life-Saving Impact of Safety Rules in the Tokyo Plane Crash
Decades of industry expertise and meticulous safety procedures ensured the successful evacuation of 379 passengers on Japan Airlines flight 516 This remarkable feat highlights the unwavering commitment of the aviation industry to prioritize safety and ultimately save lives
The footage of the Japan Airlines collision at Haneda airport in Tokyo is astounding. Despite the tragic loss of five out of six crew members on the Japan Coast Guard Dash 8 plane, all 379 passengers and crew on the Airbus A350 involved in the accident have miraculously survived.
As investigations continue into the incident that caused the JAL plane to erupt in a fireball, experts believe that the successful evacuation was a result of both modern safety standards and Japan Airlines' rigorous safety culture.
"When I watched the footage, I was surprised and relieved to see that everyone managed to escape," commented Graham Braithwaite, a professor of safety and accident investigation at Cranfield University in the UK.
"The impact on any aircraft is severe to withstand. However, considering the airline's dedication to safety and crew training, it's not surprising that they did such a commendable job. In fact, a catastrophic accident nearly 40 years ago was a turning point for Japan Airlines, helping them become one of the safest airlines."
The crash of JAL flight 123 from Tokyo to Osaka on August 12, 1985, resulted in the deaths of 520 out of the 524 people on board. The tragedy was attributed to a faulty repair of the tail by Boeing technicians, not the airline, after a previous incident. It remains the deadliest single-aircraft accident in aviation history.
Braithwaite states that the impact on the airline was significant. In Japanese culture, they collectively took responsibility and were determined to prevent a similar incident from occurring. In times of adversity, they approach it as a chance to learn and grow, viewing setbacks as opportunities for improvement.
A Japan Airlines A350 airplane on fire at Haneda international airport in Tokyo.
Issei Kato/Reuters
Japan Airlines jet bursts into flames after collision with earthquake relief plane at Tokyo Haneda airport
In 2005, JAL recognized that new employees were unaware of the 20-year-old accident and opened a display at their corporate headquarters featuring wreckage and stories of the crew and passengers. Braithwaite explains, "The goal was to ensure that everyone understands the importance of safety and the efforts that are put into it."
Nearly forty years later, the impact of the crash continues to significantly influence the company's mentality, according to him.
"They maintain a strict culture focused on adhering to standard operating procedures and executing tasks with precision. I believe this is one of the key factors contributing to the exceptional performance of the crew in this instance," he remarks.
The responsible party for Tuesday's crash remains unclear, but Braithwaite asserts that the successful evacuation is undeniably a positive reflection on Japan Airlines. "If you need a reason to choose to fly with them, this would be it," he suggests.
JAL is consistently ranked as one of the safest airlines in the world by Airlineratings.com. According to editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas, Japan Airlines has maintained an impeccable safety record since 1985, with the exception of an accident that was caused by a defective repair performed by Boeing.
"It holds the top rating as a seven-star airline on our website and has successfully passed all major safety audits. Furthermore, Japan's airline safety regulator outperforms the world average for compliance on all eight oversight criteria."
This Special Bulletin is published to raise awareness of a recent occurrence in which several
cabin windows on an Airbus A321 were damaged by high power lights used during a filming
event. The damage was discovered after takeoff on the aircraft's next flight. Work is ongoing
with the aircraft manufacturer and operator to fully understand the properties of the lights used
and how this risk can be managed in future.
AAIB
Plane takes off with missing window panes as crew fails to spot damage
A textbook evacuation
Japan Airlines, like many modern carriers, has an impeccable safety culture.
Richard A. Brooks/AFP/Getty Images
Runway incursions, as this is classed, are "rare but can be catastrophic," says Braithwaite.
With various airlines and ground operators relocating vehicles, airports transform into "complex real estate that requires diligent protection."
It is too early to determine what occurred in Tokyo and how the two aircraft ended up on the runway simultaneously.
The aviation industry continues to assert that the quick response of the crew saved hundreds of lives. As soon as the plane came to a halt, escape chutes were deployed and the passengers were swiftly evacuated, despite the smoke filling the cabin.
"I am deeply impressed by the pilots, crew, and passengers for executing a textbook evacuation under the most challenging circumstances," stated an anonymous pilot from a major European airline, who is not authorized to speak on behalf of the airline.
In aviation, we are currently at a great point. The modern aircraft's resilience and the extensive training of pilots to handle abnormal situations have led to the safest period in aviation history. As aircraft have become larger, procedures have been refined to ensure that all passengers can be evacuated in just 90 seconds. Additionally, on some airlines, flight attendants are able to initiate an evacuation in the event of a clearly catastrophic situation, saving crucial seconds by not waiting for the captain to give the order.
The runway at San Francisco International Airport in California is seen in this file photo.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Safety rules written in blood
As JAL employees know all too well, modern aviations safety records are, says the pilot, "written in the blood of others who havent been so fortunate."
Accidents serve as valuable lessons that are shared across the industry, enabling all crews to improve in their roles. One such incident was the 2019 Aeroflot accident, where a plane burst into flames during landing in Moscow, resulting in 41 out of 73 passengers onboard losing their lives. This incident, along with others, has provided important understanding and learning opportunities for the industry.
In 1980, all 301 passengers on Saudia flight 163 died from smoke inhalation after the plane successfully landed in Riyadh, but the pilots failed to order an evacuation. This tragedy led to cabin crew being granted the authority to evacuate passengers, according to reports. Another significant event that impacted safety was the 1985 British Airtours disaster at Manchester Airport in the UK.
Braithwaite states that numerous recommendations stemming from the incident have since influenced many of the features found on modern aircraft.
The ample space around the exits, floor lights, and thorough assessment of overwing exit capabilities by the cabin crew, along with clearer exit signs and fire-resistant cabin materials were all crucial in facilitating a successful evacuation during the Manchester fire.
He credits Professor Helen Muir, his former colleague at Cranfield, with transforming the safety landscape after the accident. She was renowned for conducting "incentivized" trials in which participants were rewarded for quickly exiting the plane. The data collected from these trials was then shared with aircraft manufacturers and airlines.
He now emphasizes that it's the cabin crew's influence that prompts people to evacuate an aircraft quickly.
Steven Erhlich, the chair of PilotsTogether, a charity established during the pandemic to assist crew members, concurs.
"It is premature to make specific comments about the incident, but it is evident that the crew performed remarkably well," he remarked.
Airlines like JAL prioritize continuous safety training for their crews, which proved beneficial as they were able to evacuate the aircraft within 90 seconds. It is crucial for passengers to heed safety briefings and recognize that the crew are highly trained safety professionals, not just food service staff. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires cabin crews to undergo annual emergency evacuation drills, and aircraft manufacturers must demonstrate that new planes can be fully evacuated within 90 seconds in accordance with international safety standards.
In addition, specific airlines may have additional requirements. For example, British Airways has stricter rules regarding cabin materials in response to the Manchester crash, according to Braithwaite. Pilots interviewed by CNN conduct evacuation drills in a simulator every six months. They also train in a simulator filled with synthetic smoke.
"This is a departure from previous training methods," they explain. "It eliminates the element of surprise in a real-life scenario. Instead of instinctive responses, it prompts rational thoughts and actions, making it much safer."
Braithwaite says that the routine aspect of training ingrains the procedures in crews minds.
"Thats the unseen bit for us as passengers, but its absolutely rigorous," he says.
As they approach the landing, they sit calmly, mentally preparing for the task at hand. Their eyes scan the view outside the aircraft as they know exactly where to find the necessary controls. This automatic behavior may come as a surprise to us, but it is a result of their rigorous training. It is this dedication to their training that is crucial.
No one was hurt in the incident in which an Antonov-24 passenger plane landed on the Kolyma river.
Eastern Siberian Transport Prosecutor's Office/Handout/Reuters
Russian passenger plane lands on frozen river by mistake
Take note
Everyone onboard flight JAL516 survived.
Kentaro Takahashi/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Experts emphasize that passengers should learn to pay closer attention from this incident. Erlich points out that on JAL516, passengers evacuated without all their carry-on bags, a troubling pattern observed in recent evacuation videos.
Mika Yamake, whose husband was on board, previously informed CNN that, "He only managed to escape with his phone. He had to abandon everything else."
An anonymous pilot from a leading European airline disclosed to CNN that there could be a cultural component to the multitude of lives saved.
"It's common to encounter challenges with passengers prioritizing their hand baggage or personal items over their safety and that of others, especially across different airlines and cultures," they explained.
"When the situation arises, your top priority should be to leave everything behind and focus on getting out. By doing this, everyone's chances of survival are significantly improved."
Erlich concurs: "A moment's hesitation in evacuating could have had disastrous consequences, all because of a laptop or carry-on bag. The situation could have been much more severe if passengers hadn't followed the instructions to abandon their belongings."
Braithwaite urges everyone to focus.
"I sat next to someone on a plane a few weeks ago who ignored the safety briefing because he believed that if something went wrong, it was hopeless," he recalls. "But today, nearly 400 people in Japan proved him wrong."
"Its testament to how much weve done to show that accidents can be survivable."
