Report says runway lights were not working at time of Japan Airlines plane fire. This serves as a stark reminder that the aviation industry operates in a delicate balance where even the smallest malfunction can have profound consequences.
Delving into the incident, the absence of functioning runway lights becomes a focal point, raising questions about the adequacy of infrastructure maintenance and the potential implications for flight operations.
Official aviation data indicates that the night a Japan Airlines Flight 516 caught fire after colliding with a coast guard aircraft, the warning lights at Haneda Airport that alert pilots to whether a runway is clear were not operational.
Pilots were notified that the light system will be unavailable for some time by a NOTAM message, which is a notice that contains vital information for pilots and other staff members involved in flight operations. The NOTAM was sent out on December 27.
It's unknown if the incident's course was influenced by the runway's absence of warning lights. The inquiry is still on.
Using megaphones and "their own voices," the flight crew of a Japan Airlines airplane urged hundreds of passengers off the aircraft as it caught fire on a Tokyo runway on Tuesday, the carrier said on Wednesday.
The airline released a press release stating:
The aircraft's announcement system malfunctioned during the evacuation.
The safe evacuation of 367 passengers was made possible by a sophisticated aircraft, a well-trained crew, and, most importantly, a relative lack of panic.
The airline said that the three crew members in the cockpit had been given clearance to land in a statement released on Wednesday that went into depth about the moments leading up to and including the landing.
At least 14 travelers made requests for medical advice. According to the airline, 13 people sought consultations "due to physical discomfort," and one person suffered bruises.
Order held in the minutes that followed, despite the flickering flames outside the windows that would finally devour the JAL airliner. Without causing any serious injuries, the attendants evacuated all 367 passengers by sending them down the emergency slides one by one through the three escape doors that were judged to be the safest. The phones that would record the terrifying scenes for the world were the only items most of them left behind.
A well-trained crew of twelve, a veteran pilot with 12,000 hours of flight experience, and cutting-edge aircraft design and materials all contributed to what many have called a miracle at Haneda Airport, but perhaps most importantly, there was a notable lack of panic during the emergency procedure.
Traveler Aruto Iwama said:
“„Even though I heard screams, mostly people were calm and didn’t stand up from their seats but kept sitting and waiting. That’s why I think we were able to escape smoothly. I believe that's why we were able to leave without incident.- Aruto Iwama
According to Stockholm passenger Anton Deibe, 17, said:
“„The cabin crew were very professional, but one could see even in their eyes that they were scared.- Anton Deibe
However, he continued, “no one ran ahead to save themselves. Everyone waited for instructions.”
Report says runway lights were not working at time of Japan Airlines plane fire. This sheds light on a critical aspect of aviation safety often taken for granted, the reliability of ground infrastructure. It serves as a call to action for the aviation industry to prioritize and invest in the maintenance of essential elements like runway lights to ensure the continued safety and security of air travel.