The Aftermath of Japan Airlines Airbus A350 Collision

On a recent morning at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, a catastrophic event unfolded involving Japan Airlines' Airbus A350, tail number JA13XJ. This tragedy resulted in a total hull loss for the relatively new aircraft, which was just 2.3 years old. The aftermath of this incident has sparked a critical search for the aircraft's deployable voice recorder - a feature unique to this Airbus model since June 21, 2017.

This ongoing search is complicated by the possibility that the voice recorder could be located far from the main wreckage site. The Airbus A350, being the first of its kind equipped with a deployable recorder, may have ejected the device during the accident, scattering it a significant distance from where the aircraft ultimately came to rest.

The stakes of this search are high. If the voice recorder remains unfound, crucial data - up to 25 hours of cockpit voice recordings - could be lost forever. Complicating matters further, the Emergency Locator Transmitter either malfunctioned or was rendered inert by the intense flames that engulfed JA13XJ. There's also speculation that the recorder could be submerged in water, though in such a scenario, its flotation mechanism and radio signal should have been activated at a depth of two meters.

In parallel to the search, ongoing investigations are revealing more details about the moments leading up to the collision. A report from the Associated Press dated January 6 indicated that a Japanese Coast Guard Dash-8-300 aircraft was stationary on the runway just before the collision. Its pilot, who miraculously survived, reported receiving clearance for engine run-up mere moments before the A350 struck from behind.

The Japanese Transportation Safety Board (JTSB) is now focusing on interviews with the flight attendants of Japan Airlines, following their discussions with the surviving pilots. These interviews aim to piece together a more comprehensive understanding of the events and conditions leading up to the accident.

Amidst this investigation, Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants, has been vocal in the media about the critical role of flight attendants in aviation safety. Nelson emphasizes that in a disaster, a majority of passengers need guidance, with only a small fraction able to act effectively or take on leadership roles. Her message reinforces the importance of well-trained flight attendants and attentive passengers in ensuring safety in air travel.

Nelson's closing remarks resonate deeply in the wake of this tragedy: "Air travel is the safest mode of transportation. This safety record is achieved by taking every incident seriously and learning from them. It's about following the rules and working together to ensure safe travel. Each regulation, often written in the wake of tragedies, is a testament to this commitment."