‘Black box’ transcripts from Haneda airport REVEALED as mystery deepens over passenger plane’s fatal fireball crash
A PRELIMINARY report from Haneda airport has deepened the fatal collision’s mystery even further.
“Black box” transcripts revealed from the collision indicate some key details that could have led to the horror incident.
Transport safety officials are now analysing the communication between ATC officers and the two aircraft in an attempt to demystify the cause of the fatal crash.
A preliminary report has surfaced which indicate some key details inside the incident.
Inferring from the early report, former Australian air traffic controller Michelle Robson said : “The coast guard aircraft wasn’t cleared to enter the runway before the fateful crash occurred.
“Obviously this is not an official transcript, but it appears it was told to hold short of the runway at the entry point.
“Normally a controller would be able to see both out of the tower, either with his eyes or using binoculars but it was at night time.
“So they do have additional safeguards which is the surface movement radar, which would have shown the aircraft moving.”
According to the expert, the coastguard aircraft was not given a green light to enter the runway – the same patch where JAL Airbus A350 was supposed to land.
The expert also speculated the aircraft identifiers – that would have revealed the existence of the coast guard aircraft on the runway – either were either off or the aircraft was not fully equipped with the required technology.
While she says it is hard to fully conclude what went wrong until the full report is released, there is should be a plethora of safeguards in place among other safety measures in this day and age that could have prevented the crash.
Starting the year rough, Japan’s flight 516 – an Airbus A350-900 – erupted in flames soon after landing as it collided with a smaller coastguard aircraft at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday.
The captain of the commercial flight was able to bring the plane-turned fireball to a stop, after which the people onboard slid out of the smoke-filled cabin.
All 367 passengers – including eight children and 12 crew members who were on board the Airbus A350 were evacuated safely in what is being called as a “miracle”.
However, five out of six people on board the De Havilland Dash-8 coastguard aircraft died in the incident.
The sixth person – captain of the aircraft – is said to be in critical condition, Yahoo Japan reports.
De Havilland Dash-8 was set to leave to help with rescue efforts following a tremendous earthquake in central Japan on New Year’s Day, before colliding with the JAL carrier.
Television pictures caught the shocking moment as passengers and airport workers watched on in horror.
One horror footage from inside a burning jet shows the moment screaming passengers battle through smoke to escape the flaming hell.
People were seen covering their faces with their hands or masks, as others were heard yelling in the background.
Another clip shows the moment the plane landed on the runway as it skidded across the tarmac and billowing smoke can be seen coming from the wing.
Images from broadcaster NHK showed flames apparently coming out of the plane’s windows and from beneath the aircraft.
The plane split into two halves as the fire burst through the dishevelled structure and tore it down.
Video later showed fire crews working to put out the blaze with streams of water and aiding the evacuation operation.