One Year Since the Japan Airlines and Coast Guard Collision: What We Know

A year has passed since the tragic collision between a Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 and a Japan Coast Guard Bombardier Dash 8. On December 25, 2024, the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) released a preliminary report, providing further insight into the events of January 2, 2024. Here’s everything we know so far about this catastrophic accident.

The Timeline of Events

The collision occurred on runway 34R at Tokyo International Airport. The Japan Coast Guard Bombardier DHC-8-315, registered as JA722A, was stationary on the runway when the collision happened by the landing of Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900, registered as JA13XJ. Tragically, the Dash 8 caught fire after the impact, resulting in devastating consequences for its six crew members.

The Airbus A350, carrying 379 people, including passengers and crew, sustained severe damage but managed to leave the runway, stopping in a grassy area. The incident left one passenger with serious injuries and several others requiring medical attention for smoke inhalation and stress-related conditions.

The preliminary findings indicate that human error was the primary cause of the collision. The Dash 8 crew mistakenly believed they had clearance to enter the active runway, leading to their presence on runway 34R at the time of the Airbus A350’s landing. Tokyo air traffic controllers failed to detect the Dash 8’s presence and ignored a runway occupancy alert that had been sounding for nearly a minute before the collision.

Compounding Factors: Mission Distraction and Poor Visibility

The Dash 8 crew’s preoccupation with their critical mission—to aid victims of a magnitude-7.6 earthquake in the Noto Peninsula may have contributed to the miscommunication and lack of situational awareness. Additionally, poor visibility on the runway prevented the Airbus A350 crew from spotting the stationary Dash 8 in time to perform a go-around maneuver, which could have averted the tragedy.

The Aftermath of the Collision

The Dash 8’s six-member crew bore the brunt of the collision. Five of the crew members lost their lives, and the captain sustained severe injuries. On the other hand, the Airbus A350’s passengers and crew managed to evacuate successfully, thanks to the swift actions of the cabin crew.

Despite the failure of the interphone system, the cabin crew used megaphones and shouted instructions to maintain order during the evacuation. Passengers were directed to stay low, cover their noses to avoid smoke inhalation, and follow instructions to exit the aircraft. Within six minutes of the aircraft stopping, emergency exits were opened, and the evacuation was completed.

The findings in the JTSB’s preliminary report highlight several areas that require attention, including air traffic control protocols, runway safety procedures, and crew communication. While these insights are valuable, the final report is expected to provide a more comprehensive analysis and recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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