Investigation Summary
On January 2, 2024, Japan Airlines Flight 516 was completing a scheduled domestic flight from Sapporo. At 17:47 JST, while landing on runway 34R in darkness, it struck a Japan Coast Guard Dash 8 that was positioned on the runway. The Coast Guard aircraft was preparing to transport relief supplies to the Noto Peninsula following an earthquake the previous day. The collision resulted in a massive fireball, and the A350 skidded approximately 1,700 meters down the runway before coming to a stop on the grass. Despite the rapid spread of fire and the failure of the A350's internal announcement system, the cabin crew successfully evacuated all 367 passengers and 12 crew members in 11 minutes using only three evacuation slides. The Coast Guard captain survived with severe injuries, but his five crew members perished. The investigation revealed that the Coast Guard pilot believed he had been cleared for takeoff after being told he was 'number one' for departure, whereas the controller had actually instructed him to hold short at taxiway C5.
Final Conclusions
The investigation is led by the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB). Following an initial interim report by the MLIT in June 2024, the JTSB released a progress report on December 25, 2024, and a second interim report on December 25, 2025. These reports identified the primary factor as the Coast Guard captain's misinterpretation of the ATC instruction 'number one' as a clearance to enter the runway. The investigation also highlighted that the air traffic controllers were preoccupied with other aircraft and did not notice the runway incursion. As of March 2026, the investigation remains in the interim phase while the final report is being finalized.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
Haneda Collision 2 Jan 2024 — A detailed analysis of the runway incursion and collision between JAL516 and a Japan Coast Guard Dash 8 at Tokyo Haneda Airport.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Japan Airlines JAL516 — Airbus A350-941 · JA13XJ
Japan Coast Guard JA722A — De Havilland Canada DHC-8-315Q Dash 8 · JA722A
Systems & Failure Modes
Stop Bar Lights
Visual signals at taxiway intersections designed to prevent runway incursions; these were out of service (U/S) at Haneda at the time of the accident.
Runway Status Lights (RWSL)
An automated system that warns pilots and vehicle operators when it is unsafe to enter or cross a runway; its operation and visibility are central to the safety recommendations.
Carbon Fiber Composite Airframe
The A350's fuselage is constructed of composite materials which, despite the eventual total loss, appeared to maintain structural integrity long enough for a full evacuation.
Interesting Facts
- 01The JAL A350 was the first hull loss of an Airbus A350 and the first commercial aircraft made primarily of carbon fiber composites to be destroyed by fire.
- 02Stop bar lights at taxiway C5 were unserviceable at the time of the accident due to maintenance.
- 03The JAL crew used megaphones and shouting to direct the evacuation because the aircraft's public address system failed after the impact.
- 04All passengers evacuated without their hand luggage, which investigators cited as a critical factor in the successful 11-minute evacuation.
- 05The Coast Guard aircraft was responding to the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
- 06Two pets (a dog and a cat) checked into the JAL aircraft's cargo hold perished in the fire.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Civil Aeronautics Act Amendment
Source ↗Japan amended its Civil Aeronautics Act in June 2025 to mandate CRM training for all pilots and establish Runway Safety Teams at major airports.
Emergency Guidance Revision
The MLIT requested an increase in airport staff available for night/holiday emergencies and revised guidance for emergency vehicle access after ambulances were delayed for 30 minutes.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Conflicting Clearance Claims
Reference ↗The surviving Coast Guard captain asserted he had been cleared for takeoff, while official ATC transcripts show he was only instructed to hold short of the runway.