Air Traffic Control Transcript Suggests Coast Guard Plane Was Not Cleared for Takeoff Before Deadly Tokyo Runway Crash

In the aftermath of the tragic collision between a Japanese coast guard aircraft and a Japan Airlines (JAL) passenger plane at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport, an official transcript of air traffic control communications suggests that the coast guard plane had not been cleared for takeoff before the fatal incident.

The accident occurred on Tuesday, resulting in a terrifying fireball as the JAL flight 516 crashed into the coast guard aircraft on the runway. While all 379 occupants of the JAL plane were safely evacuated, five of the six crew members on the coast guard aircraft lost their lives.

The transcript, released by Japanese transport minister Tetsuo Saito on Wednesday, covers over four minutes of communications between air traffic controllers and the two planes leading up to the collision. It indicates that the JAL passenger plane had received permission to land on Runway C at 5:43:26 p.m. local time. However, there is no clear evidence of takeoff approval for the coast guard aircraft, with the instruction being to "taxi to holding point" at 5:45:11 p.m.

About two minutes later, the collision occurred, as depicted in airport surveillance video timestamps.

Transport Secretary Saito emphasized that the incident is still under investigation, and the next step involves analyzing the audio recording of the conversation between the coast guard pilot and the flight control tower. He assured that the transport ministry is taking every precaution to prevent a recurrence and has instructed airlines and air traffic control agencies to implement basic operations and procedures thoroughly.

During a press conference, Japan Airlines stated that its crew had received clearance to land from air traffic control before the collision. The airline pledged full cooperation with the investigation to determine responsibility for the tragic crash.

Officials from the Japan Transportation Safety Board (JTSB) reported retrieving the flight and voice recorders of the coast guard aircraft, while efforts are ongoing to locate those of the JAL plane.

Runway incursions, while rare, can have catastrophic consequences, according to Graham Braithwaite, a professor of safety and accident investigation at the UK’s Cranfield University. The investigation will likely shed light on the circumstances leading to the collision and may provide critical insights into improving safety protocols.