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When the plane came to a halt, thick black smoke quickly filled the back cabin, causing panic among the passengers in that section. This led to a swift movement towards the front of the plane down the aisle.
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Several travelers tripped and fell in the walkway, causing others to climb over the seats towards the middle of the cabin. This area was unobstructed until the right overwing exit was unlocked.
“As a passenger in the front row of seats, he glanced back while waiting to disembark the aircraft and noticed a chaotic group of people in the center section, seemingly unable to move forward. He reported that there were ‘people crying out and screaming’.”
The alarming description of the developing disaster is derived from the official document detailing the most recent deadly incident involving British Airways.
On August 22, 1985, a British Airtours Boeing 737 on its way to Corfu from Manchester airport experienced an engine failure and caught fire. The pilots decided to abort the take-off, bring the plane to a stop, and initiate an emergency evacuation.
During the chaotic aftermath, only 83 individuals on board survived. One of the initial survivors passed away six days later, bringing the total death count to 55, with the majority succumbing to a combination of toxic gases.
According to the accident report, numerous individuals who were seated in the first six rows of the plane witnessed a thick, dark smoke rolling along the ceiling and quickly advancing towards the front of the cabin.
Upon reaching the front bulkheads, the smoke descended and started to move towards the back of the plane, filling the cabin. Despite being near the front exits, some passengers were still enveloped in the smoke.
Everyone reported feeling a burning and uncomfortable sensation in their lungs, causing them to choke. Some used clothing or covered their mouths with their hands to try and filter the smoke, while others tried to hold their breath. They also felt tired and confused and had to navigate their way through the seats towards the exits, while being pushed and bumped by others.
Nearly four decades after the incident, on January 2nd, 2024, an Airbus A350 from Japan Airlines was given permission to land on runway 34R at Haneda, Tokyo’s primary airport. A Dash-8 propeller plane operated by the Japanese coastguard had been instructed to stop before the runway, but as revealed by recently released air traffic control messages, it accidentally entered onto the runway.
The Japan Airlines Airbus A350 caught fire at Tokyo’s main airport, Haneda, when it collided with a Dash-8 propeller plane that had mistakenly entered the runway.
According to Rowland Burley, a former pilot of Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 747 who has frequently flown into Haneda, it appears that the individual in the Dash-8 aircraft did not receive clearance before lining up.
I comprehend that he had been driving the taxi for an hour, so he was likely eager to leave – very eager to go. It’s just strange that he didn’t glance up and notice the large A350 approaching and about to descend on him.
Unfortunately, the A350 pilots were unable to see the individual in front of them during the night.
“I comprehend that the abundance of lights in the area creates a very bright environment, with the proximity of the city and Yokohama (a major port) contributing to the confusion caused by other lights.”
The A350 from Japan Airlines collided with the Dash-8, resulting in both planes catching fire. The captain of the coastguard aircraft was able to escape, but unfortunately, his five colleagues did not survive.
The aircraft carrying 367 passengers, including eight infants and 12 crew members, traveled one kilometer on the runway while on fire. Due to a malfunctioning public address system, cabin crew had to resort to shouting and using megaphones to direct the evacuation. Unfortunately, only three of the emergency slides were usable due to the extent of the fire.
The airplane carrying 367 passengers remained on the runway, engulfed in flames, for a distance of 1km.
The current situation is strikingly similar to the British Airtours disaster in Manchester, but with almost triple the number of individuals in danger.
However, all 379 individuals were able to exit the airplane successfully. While there were no serious physical injuries, the emotional impact of being in a situation where one’s life was at risk is difficult to comprehend.
The tragedy in Manchester played a crucial role in preserving their lives. While airlines are highly competitive, safety remains the top priority. The aviation sector thrives on open and collaborative investigations. The focus is not on assigning blame, but on safeguarding future passengers by analyzing past tragedies.
The tragic event in Manchester where 55 people lost their lives in chaotic conditions brought about significant changes. There is now a requirement for floor lighting to direct passengers to the nearest exit. Additionally, there are regulations for the amount of space and handholds needed at these exits for cabin crew to assist passengers in their escape.
In Manchester, the flight attendants, including two young female crew members who tragically lost their lives while trying to rescue others, carried out their duties with exceptional skill. However, they were faced with a fatal situation: on a plane engulfed in flames and toxic smoke, passengers were crowded at the exits and the crew was unable to evacuate them in time.
Although the Boeing 737 was deemed suitable for evacuation in under 90 seconds, the situation at Manchester did not follow the same parameters as the test.
The individuals seated at the overwing exits were not knowledgeable on how to unlock the emergency exit and were uncertain how to handle the weighty metal panel once it was opened. As part of today’s flight, all passengers benefiting from the additional leg space will receive instructions on how to operate the mechanism and will be asked if they are willing to provide assistance.
It is highly unlikely that a regular crew member will encounter a situation requiring emergency evacuation during their career. Chris Hammond served as a pilot for 43 years, initially with BOAC (which preceded BA) and then as a captain for easyJet.
Images of the Japan airport accident
He is currently representing the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa).
Captain Hammond mentions that there were about three or four potential situations that could have resulted in an evacuation. However, fortunately, they did not occur.
I have never before had to press the button to evacuate.
There is a button located on the overhead console that initiates various alarms and signals to the cabin crew to begin their evacuation drills.
“We would announce if we could from the flight deck, saying: ‘This is the captain. This is an emergency. Evacuate, evacuate.’
The flight attendants have the authority to start an evacuation if they do not receive a response from the cockpit. This may happen if the cockpit is unable to communicate, so the flight attendants are responsible for starting the evacuation.
The main priority of the cabin crew is to assist passengers in surviving potential accidents.
The kind individual who served you a drink and shared a joke? They have now transformed into Gunnery Hartman from the film Full Metal Jacket.
According to a knowledgeable and experienced pilot known as KC-10 Driver (a pilot for the military version of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10), an emergency evacuation can be summed up by a recent post on X (formerly Twitter). The pilot explains that the cabin crew is trained to shout at passengers in order to save lives.
“You must comply. There is no room for questioning. You must move swiftly, as they are employing psychological tactics to compel you to move. If you pause at the slide, they will not engage in a discussion with you. You will slide down rapidly. They will evacuate all individuals within 90 seconds.”
It is possible to get hurt at the bottom of the slide, but it is preferable to being burned.
The £100m aircraft carrying 379 passengers and crew did not catch fire, but unfortunately it was destroyed. According to KC-10 Driver, while we may have a fondness for our jets, their main purpose is to safely transport us to our desired location.
These devices are designed to selflessly safeguard you in case of danger and allow for a swift escape.
The day after the frightening arrival, very little was left of the sacrificed body of the Airbus A350. The plane’s body is constructed from carbon-based composite material, chosen for its strength, lightweight nature, and long-lasting quality. As it turns out, this material also provides added protection.
The FAA of the United States states that aluminium will liquefy at a temperature of 660C in the event of a large fire. In the case of composite materials, the temperature at which degradation occurs and causes burning is typically between 300-500C, but the material will remain structurally sound during burning.
Investigators are currently searching through the debris for the “black box” – the cockpit voice recorder, which will provide insight into the pilots’ actions. It is possible that a year from now, the official report on the accident will reveal the complete and unsettling tale. Safety officials for airlines worldwide will carefully examine the findings.
A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic stated that the top priority is ensuring the safety and security of their customers and crew. They regularly assess their procedures to align with industry standards and global events.
“After receiving the final report from the Japanese Transport Safety Board, we will carefully examine it and implement any relevant lessons.”
Safety precautions for the Airbus A350 include escape slides on a single side, with only three available for use during the Tokyo evacuation.
Prior to that, passenger conduct is expected to shift according to Chris Hammond from Balpa. He mentions that pilots will be stressing the importance of watching the safety briefing, possibly by stating: “These incidents can occur. If you are skeptical, just recall the Japanese flight.”
The fact that all passengers on the airplane survived was not a miraculous event. It was instead a reflection of thorough training and a safety culture that surpasses that of any other industry. British Airways has maintained an exceptional safety record since the Manchester tragedy, while its competitors – Virgin Atlantic, easyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair – have also not experienced any fatal accidents.
Safety can arise from tragedy.
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