All 379 passengers escape Japan Airlines plane that burst into flames on runway
Footage released of the incident at Haneda airport shows thick smoke billowing from the scene as the blaze engulfed the aircraft as Neil Connery reports
All 379 passengers managed to escape a Japan Airlines plane after it crashed into another aircraft and burst into flames on a runway in Tokyo.
Five people were killed on the smaller coast guard plane, at Haneda airport on Tuesday.
Passengers on the commercial flight said they feared for their lives, as the lights went out, smoke filled the cabin and the temperature began to rise.
But the cabin crew evacuated the plane, with all the people on board the Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 brought to safety.
Tuesday’s accident was the first time one of the Airbus A350, among the industry’s newest large passenger planes, was severely damaged. It entered commercial service in 2015.
The coast guard plane had been due to head to Niigata to deliver relief goods to residents affected by a deadly earthquake in the region on Monday that killed at least 48 people.
Thick smoke billowed from the scene as the blaze engulfed the Japan Airlines aircraft. Later video showed fire crews working to put out the fire.
Swede Anton Deibe, 17, who was a passenger on the Japan Airlines plane, said “the entire cabin was filled with smoke within a few minutes. We threw ourselves down on the floor. Then the emergency doors were opened and we threw ourselves at them.
“The smoke in the cabin stung like hell. It was a hell. We have no idea where we are going so we just run out into the field. It was chaos," added Mr Deibe, who was traveling with his parents and sister, in an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
The Japan Airlines flight was making its landing at Tokyo's Haneda Airport when it collided with another plane. Inside, the aircraft filled with smoke while the inferno raged
Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito said Haneda, one of Japan's busiest airports, is closed while the collision is aviation safety investigators and police look into the incident, but they are hoping to reopen the airport.
He added officials are doing their utmost to prevent any delays in the earthquake relief goods delivery and other operations for the disaster-hit region.
The International Air Transport Association trade group said on the X social media platform that its thoughts were with those aboard the two aircraft, saying that “the last two days have been difficult for Japan."
Passenger William Manzione shares an image from the runway after the plane was evacuated
Passenger William Manzione shared images from the runway after the plane was evacuated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He tweeted: "We got home safe and sound. Kids and family have been amazing enduring this emotional stress. So sorry to hear about the coast guard crew.
"Couldn’t figure out that another plane was involved, I’ve just witnessed the amazing work of the JAL crew taking everyone onboard to safety."
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