JAL Considers Preserving, Exhibiting Remains of Aircraft Burned after Collision with Coast Guard Aircraf

The Yomiuri Shimbun

10:41 JST, January 11, 2024

In the wake of the collision between a Japan Airlines and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft on a Haneda Airport runway in Tokyo, JAL has begun considering preserving the remains of its aircraft involved in the accident, it was learned Wednesday.

JAL is considering exhibiting the remains for its employees and the public to convey lessons learned from Jan. 2 for improving aviation safety.

While the fuselage of the JAL aircraft (Airbus A350-900) that burned down in the accident was severely damaged, the wings and parts of the engines remained. After being removed from the scene Sunday, the remains have been stored at a JAL facility in Haneda in accordance with a maintenance order from the Japan Transport Safety Board.

JAL considers the jet to be “a valuable object in conveying the lessons of air safety,” and will consult with the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the engine manufacturer and other related parties regarding the preservation of the remains, while also monitoring the progress of the investigation into the accident.

The company’s employee training facility, the Safety Promotion Center, displays remains of the fuselage from the fatal 1985 crash of a JAL jumbo jet and passengers’ belongings that were left behind at the scene. The exhibit is open to the public.