CAI Community-Runway at Tokyo’s Haneda airport reopens a week after fatal collision

2025-04-30 15:22:02source:verdicoincategory:Markets

TOKYO (AP) — Tokyo’s Haneda airport is CAI Communityalmost back to its normal operation Monday as it reopened the runway a week after a fatal collision between a Japan Airlines airliner and a coast guard aircraft seen to have been caused by human error.

The collision occurred Tuesday evening when JAL Flight 516 carrying 379 passengers and flight crew landed right behind the coast guard aircraft preparing for a take off on the same runway, both engulfed in flames. All occupants of the JAL’s Airbus A350-900 airliner safely evacuated in 18 minutes. The captain of the coast guard’s much smaller Bombardier Dash-8 escaped with burns but his five crew members died.

At the coast guard Haneda base, colleagues of the five flight crew lined up and saluted to mourn for their deaths as black vehicles carrying their bodies drove past them. The victims’ bodies were to return to their families Sunday after police autopsies as part of their separate investigation of possible professional negligence.

Haneda reopened three runways the night of the crash, but the last runway had remained closed for the investigation, cleanup of the debris and repairs.

Other news A timeline of key moments leading to Japan planes colliding. Human error is seen as a possible causeJapanese safety experts search for voice data as workers clear plane debris from runway collisionStock market today: Asian shares mostly decline after mixed Wall Street finish

Transport ministry said that the runway reopened early Monday and the airport is ready for full operations. Television footage showed domestic flights taking off as usual from the coastal runway.

The collision caused more than 1,200 flights to be canceled, affecting about 200,000 passengers during the New Year holiday period. The airport was crowded with passengers Monday. All scheduled flights have resumed except for 22 JAL flights cancelled through Tuesday.

The investigation focuses on what caused the coast guard flight crew to believe they had a go-ahead for their takeoff while the traffic control transcript showed no clear confirmation between them and the traffic control. Traffic control staff assigned to the runway apparently missed an alert system when it indicated the unexpected coast guard entry.

The Haneda airport traffic control added a new position Saturday specifically assigned to monitor the runway to step up safety measures.

A team from the Japan Transport Safety Board was interviewing traffic control officials Monday as part of their investigation. The six-member team has so far interviewed JAL flight crew members and recovered flight data and voice recorders from both planes, which are key to determining what led to the collision.

More:Markets

Recommend

Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Jamie Foxx required stitches after getting hit in the face with a glass

From Brie Larson to Selena Gomez: The best celebrity fashion on the SAG Awards red carpet

They're actors and the peak of style inspo.Hollywood's biggest names and savviest dressers left thei

You're Invited Inside the 2024 SAG Awards After-Party With Jon Hamm, Joey King and More

A Saturday night to remember.After the 2024 SAG Awards, which was held on Feb. 24 at the Shrine Audi