Japanese ATC Recording Sheds Light on Runway Accident

Japanese aviation authorities say the Coast Guard aircraft that collided with a passenger jet at Tokyo's Haneda Airport (RJTT) had not been cleared for takeoff.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, January 03, 2024 at 02:33 PM ET

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Five people were killed when a Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 and a Coast Guard relief airplane collided on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A Japanese Coast Guard aircraft collided with a landing JAL passenger jet at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, with authorities stating the Coast Guard plane was not cleared for takeoff and entered an active runway.
This contradicts the Coast Guard captain's claim of clearance, as tower communication transcripts indicate he was only instructed to "taxi to holding point" prior to the collision.
All 379 passengers and crew aboard the JAL flight were safely evacuated following the fiery crash, while five of the six Coast Guard crew members, who were heading for earthquake relief efforts, died.

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Japanese aviation authorities say the Coast Guard aircraft that collided with a passenger jet at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (RJTT) had not been cleared for takeoff. However, the aircraft pulled onto the runway where the JAL Airbus A350-900 was cleared to land.

The captain of the Coast Guard aircraft—the only member of the six person crew who survived, told investigators he had been cleared onto the runway.