In a heart-stopping incident that unfolded at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan Airlines Flight 516 turned into a fireball after colliding with a coastguard plane during landing. However, what has since astounded the world is the flawless evacuation of all 379 passengers from the burning Airbus A350. This incredible feat has garnered praise from aviation experts, attributing it to the flight crew’s rigorous training and the passengers’ disciplined adherence to safety protocols.

Passengers, directed by the flight crew, dashed to the emergency exits without their hand luggage—a crucial decision that played a major role in the swift evacuation. According to aviation experts, leaving valuables behind significantly contributed to the successful evacuation just before the aircraft was engulfed in flames. Professor Ed Galea, Director of the Fire Safety Engineering Group at the University of Greenwich, emphasized the importance of passengers following instructions in BBC Interview: “I don’t see a single passenger on the ground, in any of the videos I’ve seen, that has got their luggage with them… If people tried to take their cabin luggage, that’s really dangerous because they would slow down the evacuation.”

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The challenging circumstances, including the nose-down position of the aircraft and the difficulty in deploying inflatable slides, added to the complexity of the evacuation. Despite these obstacles, the flight crew’s training and quick thinking played a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of everyone on board. The malfunctioning announcement system during the evacuation necessitated the use of a megaphone and shouting to convey instructions to passengers.

The Japan Airlines jet, which departed from Sapporo’s New Chitose airport, collided with the coastguard plane that was on a mission to deliver aid to victims of a New Year’s Day earthquake. An investigation into the collision is currently underway.

Reflecting on the incident, a former Japan Airlines flight attendant highlighted the crucial role of training in emergencies. She explained that crew members undergo rigorous evacuation and rescue training for up to three weeks before serving on commercial flights, with the training being repeated annually. This comprehensive preparation involves written exams, case study discussions, and practical training scenarios, ensuring that crew members are well-prepared for various emergency situations.

The intense training regimen was echoed by a pilot from a Southeast Asian airline who emphasized the importance of the crew’s quick response in such situations: “I must say it was amazing. I think what happened in this case was that the training kicked in. You really don’t have time to think in a situation like this, so you just do what you were trained to do.” Additionally, he mentioned that international certification for passenger aircraft requires manufacturers to demonstrate that everyone aboard can evacuate the plane within 90 seconds, sometimes involving actual passengers in evacuation tests.

First daylight photos of the Japan Airlines A350 on Haneda Airport's runway after its landing collision with a Coast Guard aircraft yesterday. https://t.co/Fg4RZLVkwG pic.twitter.com/tGe6GZtxtF

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) January 3, 2024

The pilot also highlighted the evolution of aviation safety regulations following past tragedies. The review of cockpit procedures and radio communications after the 1977 collision of two Boeing 747 jets at Los Rodeos Airport in Spain, which remains the deadliest accident in aviation history, underscores the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement. Japan Airlines, too, experienced a tragic incident in 1985 when Flight 123 crashed into a mountain shortly after take-off, leading to strengthened safety measures and an enduring commitment to prevent such accidents.

In 2006, Japan Airlines took a proactive step towards safety awareness by establishing a museum-like facility near Haneda, showcasing wreckage from the 1985 incident. The facility serves as a reminder to every staff member that lives and property are entrusted to them in their work, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety.

The successful evacuation of Japan Airlines Flight 516 stands as a testament to the importance of rigorous training, effective communication, and the cooperation of both the flight crew and passengers. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, incidents like these underscore the critical role that ongoing training and adherence to safety protocols play in ensuring the well-being of all those who take to the skies.

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