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The sight of a massive passenger plane hurtling down a runway engulfed in flames will be etched in memory.
Flight JL516 of Japan Airlines operated without any issues on its journey from Hokkaido, a northern island. However, as the Airbus A350 was preparing to land at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, it collided with a smaller plane belonging to the Japanese coastguard, which was involved in earthquake relief efforts.
Sadly, five out of the six individuals perished on the second aircraft. However, all 379 passengers on the Japan Airlines plane were able to safely evacuate, showcasing the skill and preparation of the airline’s staff.
The inquiry has already begun. The objective is not to point fingers, but to gain knowledge on how to improve aviation safety in the future. This incident will be thoroughly analyzed by experts in aviation accidents to comprehend the chain of events that resulted in the crash. Investigators will initially concentrate on determining why the essential principle of air traffic control – ensuring safe distance between aircraft – seems to have failed so drastically.
Japanese safety officials, along with Japan Airlines and Airbus, will investigate the spread of the fire on a flight. The fuselage used in the aircraft is made of carbon-based composite instead of the conventional aluminium material. This raises the question of whether this choice provided protection or posed a risk for the passengers and crew. The term “plastic plane” is often thrown around, but these materials are selected for their strength, light weight, and durability. According to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), carbon fiber can potentially be safer as it can maintain its structural integrity at higher temperatures compared to aluminium. While aluminium can melt at 660C in large fires, composite materials typically only start to burn at 300-500C.
It is understandable that the intense image may heighten the fear of travelers who have a fear of flying. They may logically think, “This could happen to my plane.” Instead, I propose they view it from a different perspective: as further proof of the aviation industry’s dedication to safety.
Just one day after the safest year on record for passenger aviation, an accident occurred. According to a report from the Dutch air safety organization To70, there were only two fatal accidents within the past 12 months, compared to six in 2022. These accidents involved propeller aircraft on domestic flights and resulted in the tragic loss of 86 lives. To put this into perspective, the number of road accident fatalities in just 35 minutes is equivalent to the average number of deaths in these aircraft accidents. It is worth noting that there were no fatal incidents involving international flights or passenger jets last year.
In the United Kingdom, we are approaching the 35th anniversary of the most recent deadly accident involving a British commercial aircraft: the Kegworth disaster on January 8, 1989.
After the unfortunate incident with a British Midland Boeing 737, the UK has consistently prioritized the safety of passengers. The country is home to the two major low-cost airlines in Europe, Ryanair and easyJet, which have the best safety records in the world with no fatal accidents involving their passengers.
British Airways, Jet2, Virgin Atlantic, and Wizz Air have all maintained impressive safety records. The last fatal incident for BA was in 1985 when a Boeing 737 caught fire on the runway in Manchester. On the other hand, the other three airlines have had no accidents.
After the investigation is finished, the aviation safety community will be informed of the findings in order to improve safety on future flights. However, what can passengers take away from the Tokyo crash?
Please take a moment to view the safety briefing. When the crew begins their demonstration, please refrain from using your phone. Pay close attention to the instructions on how to quickly evacuate the aircraft.
Numerous crises occur when the aircraft is stationary, but most can be survived if everyone fulfills their role. In the rare case of being in an emergency evacuation situation on a plane, do not bring your carry-on luggage with you.
This terrible incident has brought attention to the expertise and dedication required for aviation safety. Stay connected with the individuals who are responsible for your protection.
Source: independent.co.uk
