Five Killed After Japan Airlines Flight Collides with Coast Guard Aircraft

January 2nd, 7:27 AM EST

Updated:

January 2nd, 7:32 AM EST

By NEWSnet Digital Team

TOKYO (NEWSnet/AP) — A passenger plane collided Tuesday with a Japanese coast guard aircraft on the runway of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, officials said.

The Japanese coast guard said the pilot of its plane had escaped. But the five other coast guard crewmembers were found dead, NHK TV reported.

NHK TV reported that all occupants of Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 got out safely before the civilian plane was entirely engulfed in flames. The plane was an Airbus A-350 that had flown from Shin Chitose airport, near the city of Sapporo, to Haneda.

Local TV video showed a large eruption of fire and smoke from the side of the Japan Airlines plane as it taxied on a runway. The area around the wing then caught fire. Footage an hour later showed the plane engulfed in fire.

Coast Guard spokesperson Yoshinori Yanagishima confirmed the collision between the passenger plane and its flight MA-722, a Bombardier Dash-8.

Kyodo said the coast guard plane, which is based at Haneda, was scheduled to depart to Niigata to deliver relief goods to residents affected by Monday's deadly earthquake in the region.

Haneda is one of the busiest airports in Japan, and many people in that country travel for the New Year holidays.

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