Flawless Evacuation from Plane Inferno: Remarkable Crew Response in Japan Jet Crash.

Passengers Swiftly Evacuate Burning Japan Airlines Jet, Abiding by Flight Crew's Directive to Leave Hand Luggage Behind.

Crew Response in Japan Jet Crash. shows burned out shell of Japan plane

The quick evacuation during the Tokyo Haneda Airport incident on Tuesday was largely attributed to passengers following instructions to leave their valuables behind. According to aviation experts, this decision played a crucial role in the speedy escape, with the last person managing to get out just before the plane was consumed by flames on the runway.

Japan Airlines Flight 516 became a fireball after colliding with a coastguard plane during landing. Tragically, five out of six individuals on the smaller aircraft, which was on a mission to deliver aid to New Year's Day earthquake victims, lost their lives.

However, the remarkable part of the story is that all passengers on Flight 516 survived. The world was astonished by the flawless evacuation as the cabin filled with smoke, earning praise from experts. According to aviation professionals, the key factors were the well-executed training of the onboard staff and the cooperation of "well-behaved" passengers who followed safety protocols.

In contrast, a 2016 crash landing in Dubai serves as a cautionary tale. Video footage from inside an Emirates Boeing 777 reveals passengers panicking as they prioritize grabbing their belongings before evacuating down emergency slides. The crew was commended for their efforts, and fortunately, all 300 occupants survived. Yet, the scenes in Tokyo during the recent incident showcased a much more organized and disciplined evacuation process.

Safety Training Instincts Activated

A former Japan Airlines flight attendant shared with the BBC that passengers on Tuesday's flight, which took off from Sapporo's New Chitose airport at 16:00 local time (07:00 GMT) and landed at Haneda shortly before 18:00, were incredibly fortunate.

Fortunately, only one passenger on Flight 516 sustained bruises, and 13 others sought medical consultations for physical discomfort, as reported by the airline.

The former flight attendant expressed relief that all passengers were safe but admitted feeling nervous and fearful when contemplating the emergency evacuation procedure. Reflecting on the potential severity of the situation, she acknowledged that depending on the collision and fire's dynamics, the outcome could have been much worse.

The former flight attendant revealed that new crew members undergo thorough evacuation and rescue training lasting up to three weeks before they can join commercial flights. This training covers various aspects, including controlling the tone and volume of their voice for optimal communication with passengers, and it is reiterated annually.

Describing the training process, the former flight attendant, who left the airline a decade ago, mentioned written exams, case study discussions, and practical exercises involving different scenarios such as water landings and in-flight fires. Maintenance staff also participate in these drills. Additionally, international recognition for aircraft requires a demonstration that everyone on board can evacuate within 90 seconds.

Despite these measures, handling real-life situations without causing panic can be challenging, as per the anonymous former flight attendant. She emphasized that the successful evacuation in this incident was a result of effective coordination among the crew and passengers diligently following instructions.

Supporting this perspective, an anonymous pilot from a South East Asian airline praised the flight crew's rigorous training as instrumental in the passengers' successful escape. He acknowledged the remarkable feat, highlighting the instinctive nature of responding to emergencies based on training.

The challenging circumstances of the aircraft's position and condition, as explained by Prof. Galea, add to the impressiveness of the evacuation accomplishment.

Surviving the 'Inferno': Passengers' Escape from Japan Jet Fireball

This situation was far from ideal. The plane was tilted downward, making it challenging for passengers to move around," explained the expert.

Despite the difficulty, only three inflatable slides were available for evacuation due to the aircraft's landing position, and they weren't deployed properly, creating a potentially dangerous steep slide.

Adding to the challenges, the aircraft's announcement system malfunctioned, forcing the flight crew to resort to a megaphone and shouting to convey instructions, as reported by Japan Airlines.

However, there were positive aspects indicating the aircraft's design worked to enhance the chances of passenger escape. Professor Graham Braithwaite from Cranfield University noted that it seemed like the plane "has done what it is designed to do, which is protect the occupants and allow a fast evacuation.

Photo : Reuters

The airport's ground fire crews played a crucial role in the recent incident, aiming to reach any fire within two minutes, according to Prof Braithwaite. Their focus was on safeguarding exits and ensuring a clear path for evacuation, prioritizing the safety of individuals before addressing the larger fire.

Lessons from past accidents have significantly strengthened aviation safety regulations, with the pilot highlighting the impact of incidents like the 1977 collision of two Boeing 747 jets in Spain. This tragedy prompted a review of cockpit procedures and radio communications, emphasizing the importance of effective communication between flight crew and air traffic controllers.

While an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the Tokyo runway collision, transcripts suggest a clearance discrepancy between the coastguard plane and the passenger plane. Despite this, the focus on continuous improvement in aviation safety remains evident.

Japan Airlines, despite a tragic incident in 1985, where faulty repair work by Boeing led to a crash that claimed many lives, has since maintained a "blemish-free" record, noted Prof Braithwaite. The airline has established itself as a "world leader" in safety, even opening a museum-like facility near Haneda to display wreckage from the 1985 crash, aimed at promoting safety awareness among employees.

The dedication of the airline's management is evident in their commitment to preventing such tragic accidents. The facility's webpage emphasizes the responsibility entrusted to every staff member, reminding them that valuable lives and property are in their care.