Update (0704 EST): All five Coast Guard members have been confirmed killed. Aircraft has been confirmed as a Bombardier DHC8-300.
Update (0508 EST): One injured, five unknown in Japanese Coast Guard Aircraft.
At approximately 0345 EST, initial reports indicated that a fire had erupted on a runway at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan. By 0420 EST, eyewitness reports said that Japanese Airlines Flights 516 was on fire.
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??????????#???? pic.twitter.com/miX5P7HwAj— moon (@moon07xo) January 2, 2024
All runways at the airport had been closed and the Haneda Fire Rescue services confirmed that the flight had crashed into a Japanese Coast Guard MA722 fixed-wing aircraft. One of the engines exploded on the passenger plane. Crew members were able to deploy the escape chutes and all 400 souls were able to escape.
All 400 passengers and crew evacuated??
Emergency?5:47pm
Fire at Japan Airlines at Haneda AirportJapan Airlines Flight 516: New Chitose Airport 16:00? Haneda Airport landing16:45
Japan Airlines aircraft contacted by Japan Coast Guard aircraft pic.twitter.com/GK7ujlbO9i
— nobumaru ina?? (@InaNobumaru) January 2, 2024
The fire was extinguished by 0430 EST. The Japanese Prime Minister’s Office has established an information liaison office and a Crisis Management Center team, already activated for the earthquake and tsunami relief effort.
There have been no confirmed reports of Japanese Coast Guard fatalities from the military aircraft that was destroyed.