In the aftermath of the recent aviation incident at Haneda Airport, where a Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 collided with a Coast Guard DHC-8 on January 2nd, Japanese authorities have initiated a thorough investigation. The event occurred just weeks after global aviation received safety warnings regarding runway operations.
Experts caution against premature conclusions, emphasizing that accidents often result from a combination of factors. The collision involved 379 passengers on the A350, with most successfully evacuating after the subsequent fire. Unfortunately, five of the six crew members on the Coast Guard's DHC 8 lost their lives.
Specialists are currently scrutinizing communications between air traffic controllers and the pilots of both aircraft, conducting a detailed analysis of the planes' systems, and assessing the airport's conditions. Authorities reported that the Japan Airlines aircraft had clearance to land, while the Coast Guard aircraft lacked permission to take off, according to tower transcripts.
The incident has prompted a renewed focus on runway safety, with concerns amplified by the involvement of the A350, a long-distance aircraft manufactured with carbon composites since 2015. Despite preliminary data indicating rare runway collisions in 2023, global attention is now directed towards preventing a potential increase in such incidents.
The Flight Safety Foundation in Washington highlights the need for ground situation awareness technologies to avert runway collisions. Hassan Shahidi, Director General of the Foundation, stressed that improved technologies could assist air traffic controllers and pilots in detecting potential conflicts on runways.
Airbus is actively addressing this concern with the development of SURF-A, a system designed to prevent runway collisions through visual and auditory warnings for pilots. However, the implementation of such complex systems may take several years.
As the investigation focuses on authorizations, crew visibility, and potential lighting deficiencies, it underscores the ongoing commitment to aviation safety. The importance of adhering to the 90-second evacuation rule, mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), becomes evident. This rule ensures that all aircraft manufacturers demonstrate the capability for complete evacuation within 90 seconds, considering the challenging conditions that may arise post-accident.
SKYbrary, a portal dedicated to aviation safety, explains the 90-second rule's rationale based on the potential for "flashovers" in post-accident fires. The concept of a flashover involves the almost simultaneous ignition of most combustible materials in a closed space, a phenomenon that can impede rapid evacuation.
In conclusion, the aviation industry is now grappling with the aftermath of the Haneda incident, prompting a reevaluation of safety measures and technology improvements to prevent runway collisions and enhance overall passenger safety.
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