The cabin crew of Japan Airlines has been praised for their quick and efficient evacuation of all 367 passengers after their aircraft collided with another plane and burst into flames at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Despite the harrowing situation, all passengers, including eight children under the age of two, were safely evacuated from the burning plane. Tragically, the collision resulted in the deaths of five people on the other aircraft, a Bombardier DHC8-300 operated by the Japan Coast Guard. The captain of the Japan Coast Guard plane managed to escape but sustained severe injuries.

The collision occurred after the JAL flight had landed on runway C, and the coast guard aircraft was moving on the runway, carrying supplies to support areas affected by a recent earthquake. Prof Graham Braithwaite, director of transport systems at Cranfield University, commended the efforts of the cabin crew and pilots, emphasizing the importance of their training. Japan has long been recognized for its strong safety record in the aviation sector. Passenger accounts of the incident provide a chilling insight into the chaos and fear experienced during the evacuation.

A passenger, Uchida, described how she initially thought they had landed safely, only to realize after looking out the window that the plane was on fire. She and other passengers feared for their lives but were reassured and guided to safety by the cabin crew. The accident occurred during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with millions of Japanese traveling for the New Year's holidays. Haneda Airport is Japan's busiest airport and serves as a hub for multiple airlines. This rare aviation accident has prompted officials to review flight control communications and air traffic control systems to prevent similar incidents in the future. Despite this tragic event, Japan's aviation sector maintains a strong safety record with no fatal incidents involving commercial aircraft this century.