Jumpseat: Cleared via Earthquake 1A Arrival

Les Abend

Monday, November 21, 2011 at 11:02 PM ET

Verified

Narita Airport (photo taken in 2009)

Key Takeaways:

An airline crew flying to Japan in March 2011 faced an unprecedented emergency due to a major earthquake, requiring exceptional decision-making without existing checklists or procedures.
The crew demonstrated proactive and skillful in-flight management, navigating chaotic air traffic and fuel concerns to successfully divert their B777 to Sapporo after Narita Airport was closed.
On the ground, the crew exhibited remarkable resourcefulness and professionalism, securing fuel, arranging accommodation for passengers and crew, and coordinating logistics amidst widespread disruption until they could safely proceed to Narita.
The incident underscores the critical importance of experienced, adaptable human crews in managing complex, unforeseen emergencies that go beyond automated systems and standard operating procedures.

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(November 2011) Opening scene: Inside a B777 cockpit approximately 250 miles off the eastern coastline of Japan. The first officer is massaging the right touch pad of the display unit with his index finger. The cursor arrow hovers in the vicinity of the emergency checklist page now shown on the lower EICAS (engine instrument and crew alerting system) screen.

Captain: Let’s go to the checklist.