JAL Flight 516 Crash Factors Emerge– Episode 201

Flight Safety Detectives

Runway images show that the Coast Guard Dash 8 involved in the collision with Japan Airlines Flight 516 was in the wrong place. The crew was to hold on the taxiway, but were actually on the runway. The plane standing still on the center line would have been virtually invisible to the pilots of the JAL Airbus A350.

The scenario is similar to a runway collision involving US Air Flight 1493 that John investigated as an NTSB Board member. That investigation made midfield takeoffs illegal in the United States.

John, Greg and Todd walk through the known details and the human factors that led to the plane crash.

• Misunderstanding between the tower controller and the crew of the Dash 8
• Lightning conditions at the runway
• Dash 8 pilot not monitoring the Air Traffic Control radio frequency

Human errors and communication issues contributed to the crash. The episode also covers the role of aviation technology, including the heads-up display in the A350, surface radar/ASDI, and traffic collision avoidance systems (TCAS).

This is a follow up to Episode 198, Expert Insights into the Japan Airlines A350 Aviation Disaster, where noted airport rescue and firefighting expert Jack Kreckie discussed the firefighting response.

Related documents are available at the Flight Safety Detectives website.

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Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8