Airbus has issued a statement following a collision between a Japan Airlines A350 and a Coast Guard plane at Haneda Airport (HND).
Airbus confirmed that it is “dispatching a team of specialists” to assist the Japanese authorities after five people onboard a Coast Guard de Havilland Canada DHC-8-315Q were killed.
In the statement released on January 2, 2023, Airbus said that it “regretted” having to confirm that an A350-900 operated by Japan Airlines was involved in the accident.
“The aircraft involved in the accident, registered under the number JA13XJ, was MSN 538, delivered to Japan Airlines from the production line on 10 November 2021. It was powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines,” the planemaker said.
The Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) in France also confirmed that it will be sending four investigators to Japan, along with five technical advisors from Airbus.
“Our concerns and sympathy go to the families, friends and loved ones affected by the accident,” Airbus said.
Flight 516 left Sapporo New Chitose Airport (CTS) on January 2, 2023, shortly before 4.30 pm local time, and landed at Haneda Airport 4.47 pm.
As it landed, the A350 collided with the Coast Guard plane which was being used to deliver aid to a region of Japan hit by an earthquake on January 1, 2023.
All 379 people on the passenger plane, including 12 crew members, managed to escape using emergency slides that were deployed after the A350 came to a halt. According to the latest reports, 14 people suffered minor injuries.
A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office declared that “no effort would be spared to save lives and rescue victims” and that information will be provided to the public in as “timely” a fashion as possible.
A sixth person, believed to be the captain, managed to escape from the DHC-8 aircraft, but suffered serious injuries.