AIRWAYS HISTORY AIRWAYS Pacific Air Lines INDUSTRY – Part 1 : Southwest Echoes of Airways Progress
THE JANUARY 2 RUNWAY COLLISION involving Japan Airlines Flight 516 ( JAL516 ) and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo ’ s Haneda Airport stands as a stark reminder of the everevolving development of aviation safety .
While the accident tragically claimed the lives of five aboard the Coast Guard plane , it also serves as a testament to the significant progress in safety measures that ensured the survival of all 379 people on the passenger aircraft .
This incident underscores the crucial role played by continuous learning and adaptation in the pursuit of safer skies . Throughout its history , Japan
Airlines has unfortunately been involved in several accidents , each catalyzing improvements in the aviation industry :
JAL FLIGHT 350 CRASH ( 1982 ): this accident , attributed to Pilot error , highlighted the importance of mental health evaluations in crew selection and the need for robust training protocols to address potential mental health issues .
JAL FLIGHT 123 CRASH ( 1985 ): this tragic accident , the deadliest single-aircraft disaster in history , resulted from a faulty repair made following a tail-strike incident seven years prior . It led to stricter regulations on aircraft maintenance and inspections .
JAL CARGO FLIGHT 1628 UFO SIGHTING ( 1986 ): while not an accident , this incident prompted improvements in Pilot training in regard to the reporting of unidentified phenomena and underlined the importance of maintaining composure during unusual situations .
JAL BOEING 787 DREAMLINER BATTERY INCIDENT ( 2013 ): this incident , which was caused by overcharged lithium-ion batteries , led to the grounding of the global 787 fleet and to significant advancements in battery technology and safety protocols .
Despite the strides it has taken , aviation safety is still a work in progress , as demonstrated by the recent JAL accident . However , this event also represents an implicit opportunity for improvement — proof of the industry ’ s continuous pursuit of ever-safer skies . Each accident , as heartbreaking as it may be , becomes a crucial data point . The upcoming JAL investigation will undoubtedly shed light on the contributing factors , potentially leading to adjustments in procedures , ATC protocols , or even airport infrastructure design .
This echoes the learning gleaned from the Tenerife disaster of 1977 . There , the tragic collision of two passenger planes led to significant revisions in communication protocols and ground traffic management . It was a prime example of how past events shape a safer future for all flyers .
THE PILLARS OF MODERN AVIATION SAFETY
1
The successful evacuation of everyone from the passenger plane in the January collision reveals
www . airwaysmag . com AIRWAYS MAGAZINE JUNE 2024 51