Local television footage captured a large eruption of fire and smoke from the side of the Japan Airlines plane as it taxied on a runway.The fire subsequently engulfed the area around the wing.
The identified plane, JAL flight 516, had departed from Shin Chitose Airport in Japan and was bound for Haneda.
Japanese TV reports quoted JAL as saying it believed its plane was hit by a Japan Coast Guard plane.
Notably, five out of six members aboard the Japan Coast Guard aircraft, are currently missing after collision, as per reports. The pilot was evacuated.
Subsequent footage showed firefighting crews actively working to extinguish the flames with water streams, as the fire had spread across much of the aircraft.
Japan’s Coast Guard said it is investigating reports of a collision between its aircraft and the blazing JAL flight.
Haneda, being one of Japan’s busiest airports, sees high traffic, especially during the New Year holidays.
(With inputs from agencies)
