5 Coast Guards Killed in Japan Airlines Crash

Following devastating earthquakes in Japan, a Coast Guard flight heading to help with earthquake relief in Western Japan collided with a Japan Airlines flight at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, leaving 5 Coast Guards dead.

Live footage on public broadcaster NHK showed the JAL Airbus A350 burst into flames as it slipped off the tarmac as it was landing.

All 379 people aboard a Japan Airlines plane escaped the burning plane after a collision. Five of six crew on the smaller aircraft were killed.

Fourteen people on the passenger plane were injured, according to the airline, but none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

According to the Coast Guard, its plane was headed to Niigata on Japan’s west coast to deliver aid to those caught up in a powerful earthquake that struck on New Year’s Day. The earthquake killed at least 55 people.

Japan Airlines said in a statement on its website, “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. We have confirmed that all passengers and crew on our flight were evacuated. We would like to assure you that we will provide our full cooperation in the investigation of this unfortunate event.”

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, “This is a great regret as the crew members performed their duties with a strong sense of mission and responsibility for the victims of the disaster area”.

Five Japanese Coast Guard crewmembers responding to the earthquake in western Japan were killed when their aircraft collided with a passenger plane on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and burst into flames. All 379 occupants on the Japan Airlines flight got out safely. pic.twitter.com/UmivGKG4Je

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) January 3, 2024