The recent runway collision at Tokyo’s Haneda airport has raised concerns about a potential gap in alerting technology. This incident occurred shortly after the global aviation industry received new warnings about runway safety.
The collision involved a Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350 and a Dash-8 Coast Guard turboprop, resulting in the tragic loss of five out of six crew members on the smaller aircraft. While all 379 people on board the A350 managed to escape, this event has raised questions about the effectiveness of current runway safety measures.
It is important to note that it is still too early to determine the exact cause of the crash. Aviation experts have emphasized that most accidents are typically caused by a combination of factors. As the investigation unfolds, authorities will be closely examining conversations between air traffic controllers and pilots, as well as conducting a detailed evaluation of the aircraft and airport systems involved.
According to transcripts from the control tower, the A350 was granted permission to land, while the Coast Guard plane did not receive clearance for take-off. This marks the first significant accident involving the Airbus A350, which has been in service since 2015. Additionally, it is the first instance of the new generation of carbon-composite airliner being destroyed by fire.
In light of this recent incident, a U.S.-based safety group has called for global action to address the rising number of runway collisions and potential safety risks as air traffic becomes increasingly congested. The Flight Safety Foundation CEO, Hassan Shahidi, highlighted the severity of runway incursions and stressed that it remains a global concern within the aviation industry.
While ground collisions leading to injury or damage have become relatively rare, the potential consequences of these incidents are among the highest in terms of loss of life. Notably, near-misses are more common than actual collisions, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures.
The Flight Safety Foundation has pointed out that communication breakdowns often play a role in such incidents. It has also expressed concerns about the lack of technology to prevent ground collisions, particularly in comparison to the sophisticated systems in place to avoid mid-air collisions. The organization has stressed the importance of better situational awareness technologies to aid air traffic controllers and pilots in detecting potential runway conflicts.
At present, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has implemented a system known as ASDE-X at 35 airports across the country, which utilises radar, satellites, and multilateration technology to monitor ground movements. Despite this, the National Transportation Safety Board chair, Jennifer Homendy, has stated that the U.S. lacks sufficient technology to prevent runway incursions, highlighting the need for further advancements in this area.
Efforts to introduce innovative safety measures, such as the SURF-A system developed by Airbus in collaboration with Honeywell, have been met with some resistance from airlines regarding the associated costs. However, both Airbus and Honeywell are confident that these systems will gradually become available to airlines in the coming years.
As investigations into the Tokyo Haneda incident continue, experts suggest that a comprehensive review of current safety protocols and the implementation of advanced technology will be crucial in preventing future runway collisions and ensuring the overall safety of air travel.
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