hello, i'm lauren tyalor. we start with breaking news from japan. we are continuing to monitor the majorfire which has broken out we are continuing to monitor the major fire which has broken out at an airport injapan. a majorfire has broken out on a japan airlines plane, all passengers and crew have been evacuated safely, the fire has consumed much of the aircraft, it is understood it was caused by a crash with a coast guard aeroplane. now we are told five out of six of the japan coast guard members who were the coast guard aircraft or unaccounted for. live now to our asia reporter suranjana tewari

who's in tokyo for us. it's been about 90 minutes since these images started to come into us. what we saw was a japan airlines passenger plane. coming into land at the airport. as it was landing it seemed to collide with something and create a big explosion. and then continued down the runway and it was still on fire before coming to a stop. that fire is now spread significantly throughout the aircraft, the passenger aircraft. and it left behind the other explosion. the coast guard has confirmed there was a collision with one of its planes, a smaller plane. in the coast guard has confirmed to the bbc it is investigating the incident. the commission, the

information about the commission coming from nhk, local media here in japan. coming from nhk, local media here in jaan. , ., ., coming from nhk, local media here in jaan. _, ., , japan. tell us about, for people “oininu us japan. tell us about, for people joining us now. _ japan. tell us about, for people joining us now, tell— japan. tell us about, for people joining us now, tell us - japan. tell us about, for people joining us now, tell us about. japan. tell us about, for people - joining us now, tell us about haneda airport and why it is such a big airport and why it is such a big airport and why this will cause so much disruption. it’s airport and why this will cause so much disruption.— much disruption. it's one of two international— much disruption. it's one of two international airports _ much disruption. it's one of two international airports in - much disruption. it's one of two international airports in tokyo. | much disruption. it's one of two | international airports in tokyo. it is a very busy airport, lots of passengers coming through, notjust busy for tokyo, lots of domestic travel, japan is a big travel so lots of domestic passengers using air travel to get around but also a big hub for the region. japan obviously linking the pacific and the atlantic rats. lots of people flying through the atlantic rats. lots of people flying throuthapan. the airport has confirmed they have closed all of the runways because of this far

as firefighters tried to get this blaze under control. that is likely to cause a lot of disruption to the flats, two passengers coming in and out of the airport. and of course it is the end of the holiday season, the new year holiday being a big holiday here injapan. so many people would have been using the airport today when this incident happened. we airport today when this incident hauened. ~ , ., airport today when this incident hauened. ~ , . . ., airport today when this incident hauened. ~ , ., ., ., :: happened. we understand around 70 fire enuines happened. we understand around 70 fire engines are _ happened. we understand around 70 fire engines are there _ happened. we understand around 70 fire engines are there on _ happened. we understand around 70 fire engines are there on the - happened. we understand around 70 fire engines are there on the scene l fire engines are there on the scene trying to tackle the blaze but we have seen how quickly it has torn through in some parts of the plane have already sunk to the ground, essentially destroyed by the fire? tell us about the safety culture in japan, they have quite a good aviation accident record, haven't they? but in terms of procedures at they? but in terms of procedures at the airport, presumablyjapan they? but in terms of procedures at the airport, presumably japan will be amongst the countries with good safety procedures when something

like this happens?— safety procedures when something like this happens? absolutely. japan is known for — like this happens? absolutely. japan is known for its _ like this happens? absolutely. japan is known for its highly _ like this happens? absolutely. japan is known for its highly efficient - is known for its highly efficient transport network, notjust its planes but its bullet trains and buses, they run on time, incredibly efficient. there are lots of safety standards that are adhered to and very strictly adhered to. but as i say, you know, with runways closed, that efficiency will be affected, even one hour of delays, add a big airport like this will affect a load of planes and passengers, domestic tourists, and international terrorists as well and business travellers travelling through a big airport like this. japan airlines, one of the country �*s airlines, most famous, carrying a load of passengers, this particular aeroplane had more than 370 passengers and crew on board. we

understand from local media that all of those passengers managed to evacuate the plane before this fire really too cold. and we understand from the coast guard, speaking to nhk, local media here, that there was another plane involved, a coast guard plane involved in this condition. five members of the crew of that plane or unaccounted for. it's quite a shocking moment for japan because they literally have just had a very large earthquake just had a very large earthquake just one day ago. tell us about the effect on the psyche if you like at these two events happening in such close succession? that these two events happening in such close succession?— close succession? that is right. just over 24 _ close succession? that is right. just over 24 hours _ close succession? that is right. just over 24 hours ago - close succession? that is right. just over 24 hours ago we - close succession? that is right. just over 24 hours ago we had i close succession? that is right. | just over 24 hours ago we had a close succession? that is right. - just over 24 hours ago we had a 7.6 magnitude earthquake injapan, that was felt throughout several prefectures. the epicentre was on

the western coast of japan and there was a tsunami warning but that was downgraded later on. because it did not have that big an impact and there were lots of fears of a tsunami. that said, there are a load of people that continue to be affected by the earthquake, on the noto peninsula. the rescue operations are going ahead for another night, night has now fallen injapan. that was challenging for the rescue teams because they were unable to reach everyone that they wanted to he had been affected by the earthquake. the government has said the rescue operations are ongoing, the death toll from the earthquake is now 40 eight people, known to have died but officials

have said that it is likely to rise because the rescue operation is far from over. in because the rescue operation is far from over. , ., because the rescue operation is far from over-— from over. in terms of the size of this place — from over. in terms of the size of this place and _ from over. in terms of the size of this place and being _ from over. in terms of the size of this place and being able - from over. in terms of the size of this place and being able to - from over. in terms of the size of| this place and being able to tackle it, don't we have any indication how long this could take? it seems to be blessing of a quite dramatically, doesn't it? . , , blessing of a quite dramatically, doesn't it?— doesn't it? incredibly dramatic visuals at least. _ doesn't it? incredibly dramatic visuals at least. we _ doesn't it? incredibly dramatic visuals at least. we have - doesn't it? incredibly dramatic visuals at least. we have been watching these for the last hour and a half and despite there being firefighters on the scene very quickly, they have just not managed to control this far, it has continued to spread throughout the entire aircraft and there just seems to be going off at rather than it coming under control. we understand there are dozens of fire engines on there are dozens of fire engines on the runway and tell me the airport that it seems that the fire are

certainly overpowering the efforts to control it at the moment. thank ou so to control it at the moment. thank you so much. _ to control it at the moment. thank you so much. do — to control it at the moment. thank you so much, do stay _ to control it at the moment. thank you so much, do stay with - to control it at the moment. thank you so much, do stay with us - to control it at the moment. thank you so much, do stay with us if. to control it at the moment. thank| you so much, do stay with us if you can. john strickland is an aviation expert and thank you forjoining us. what are your initial thoughts when you look at this scene? it’s what are your initial thoughts when you look at this scene?— you look at this scene? it's very a-rahic you look at this scene? it's very graphic imagery- _ you look at this scene? it's very graphic imagery. seeing - you look at this scene? it's very graphic imagery. seeing this . you look at this scene? it's very graphic imagery. seeing this on j you look at this scene? it's very - graphic imagery. seeing this on the runway _ graphic imagery. seeing this on the runway my— graphic imagery. seeing this on the runway. my first thought was what kind of— runway. my first thought was what kind of aircraft it was, this is an airhus— kind of aircraft it was, this is an airbus a350, new and state of the art aircraft. — airbus a350, new and state of the art aircraft, getting into increasingly large service around the world, — increasingly large service around the world, popular with customers and the _ the world, popular with customers and the operate it. what i learned from _ and the operate it. what i learned from your— and the operate it. what i learned from your colleagues, the aircraft appears _ from your colleagues, the aircraft appears to— from your colleagues, the aircraft appears to have collided with a coast _ appears to have collided with a coast guard aircraft on the runway so it seems— coast guard aircraft on the runway so it seems we have a reason in terms _ so it seems we have a reason in terms of— so it seems we have a reason in terms of what has caused this. the

aircraft _ terms of what has caused this. the aircraft will — terms of what has caused this. the aircraft will be a complete write—off, but most importantly it sounds _ write—off, but most importantly it sounds as — write—off, but most importantly it sounds as if they were successful in getting _ sounds as if they were successful in getting everybody of the aircraft although we understand there may be although we understand there may be a small— although we understand there may be a small number of people unaccounted for and _ a small number of people unaccounted for and we _ a small number of people unaccounted for and we have not had an update on that yet— for and we have not had an update on that yet but _ for and we have not had an update on that yet but overall it is positive news _ that yet but overall it is positive news. . , that yet but overall it is positive news. ., , ., ., ., , news. clearly with aviation safety, there are a _ news. clearly with aviation safety, there are a lessons _ news. clearly with aviation safety, there are a lessons to _ news. clearly with aviation safety, there are a lessons to be - news. clearly with aviation safety, there are a lessons to be learnedl there are a lessons to be learned when they log into this but tell us what the airbus owners and the airline indeed will be looking for when it comes to how this has happened on the scale of the fire and how quickly it has happened. what sorts of things will they be looking for as lessons to learn from this? , ., ., . . this? there will be an accident investigation _ this? there will be an accident investigation started _ this? there will be an accident investigation started very - this? there will be an accident - investigation started very promptly and that— investigation started very promptly and that involves the country the accident — and that involves the country the accident happened, the airline to which _ accident happened, the airline to which it— accident happened, the airline to which it has happened, in this case japan _ which it has happened, in this case japan airlines and it always involves _ japan airlines and it always involves the manufacture, in this case: _ involves the manufacture, in this

case, airbus although there will be other— case, airbus although there will be other parties as well and now that the airline — other parties as well and now that the airline or the manufacturer will be able _ the airline or the manufacturer will be able to— the airline or the manufacturer will be able to offer comments during the process, _ be able to offer comments during the process, it _ be able to offer comments during the process, it involves painstaking work _ process, it involves painstaking work the — process, it involves painstaking work. the positive background to the us is that— work. the positive background to the us is that it _ work. the positive background to the us is that it is on the ground. the pilots _ us is that it is on the ground. the pilots of— us is that it is on the ground. the pilots of the _ us is that it is on the ground. the pilots of the aircraft will be able to explain what was going on throughout the last minutes of the approach _ throughout the last minutes of the approach of the aircraft, there will be a approach of the aircraft, there will he a voice — approach of the aircraft, there will be a voice recorder sunday data recorders— be a voice recorder sunday data recorders and i would imagine from the other— recorders and i would imagine from the other aircraft, if indeed it is correct — the other aircraft, if indeed it is correct that under the aircraft was hit on _ correct that under the aircraft was hit on the — correct that under the aircraft was hit on the runway. there will be tapes— hit on the runway. there will be tapes from _ hit on the runway. there will be tapes from air traffic control dialogue, that would be very important in the situation to find out why— important in the situation to find out why there was another aircraft on the _ out why there was another aircraft on the runway. 50 out why there was another aircraft on the runway-— out why there was another aircraft on the runway. so sorry to interrupt ou but on the runway. so sorry to interrupt you but we — on the runway. so sorry to interrupt you but we have _ on the runway. so sorry to interrupt you but we have had _ on the runway. so sorry to interrupt you but we have had more - on the runway. so sorry to interrupt i you but we have had more information from the japanese coast guard saying the aircraft that collided with the passenger plane was on its way to

niigata airport, based to deliver emergency aid to the earthquake hit noto region. they were apparently trying to deliver aid to another airport but also, please stay there if you can. i understand we have unverified footage that was shot from inside the aircraft. that has appeared online, as i say, we cannot verify it but i am seeing this with you at the same time, inside the plane, it seems that people were filming the landing as they came in. john, let me ask you. with the plane on fire at the moment, is that kind of level of, it might sound like a silly question but that level of place, is that something you would expect? is it perhaps it had come on

a short flight there was still a load of fuel on board, with that because the level of fire? every situation is _ because the level of fire? every situation is very _ because the level of fire? every situation is very specific, - because the level of fire? every situation is very specific, we - because the level of fire? every situation is very specific, we do| situation is very specific, we do not know— situation is very specific, we do not know what level of fuel that have _ not know what level of fuel that have had — not know what level of fuel that have had. a short domestic flight to tokyo. _ have had. a short domestic flight to tokyo. it _ have had. a short domestic flight to tokyo, it would not need much fewer but that— tokyo, it would not need much fewer but that does not mean it was not carrying _ but that does not mean it was not carrying more if you are. it may have _ carrying more if you are. it may have been— carrying more if you are. it may have been going theoretically on a lorig-haul— have been going theoretically on a long—haul flight afterwards but it depends— long—haul flight afterwards but it depends on a lot of unknowns. if it was indeed — depends on a lot of unknowns. if it was indeed a collision, at what point _ was indeed a collision, at what point on — was indeed a collision, at what point on the aircraft was contact made _ point on the aircraft was contact made with— point on the aircraft was contact made with the other aircraft? that cause _ made with the other aircraft? that cause damage possibly to the fuel tanks? _ cause damage possibly to the fuel tanks? if— cause damage possibly to the fuel tanks? if fuel tanks are severely damaged, — tanks? if fuel tanks are severely damaged, you have the friction and the operation of an accident and that could — the operation of an accident and that could result in a rapidfire and that could result in a rapidfire and that is— that could result in a rapidfire and that is one —

that could result in a rapidfire and that is one angle of the aircraft, there _ that is one angle of the aircraft, there is— that is one angle of the aircraft, there is more carbon composite materiais— there is more carbon composite materials rather than metal parts. more _ materials rather than metal parts. more components are made from carbon composite _ more components are made from carbon composite which is very balanced and strong _ composite which is very balanced and strong type _ composite which is very balanced and strong type of plastic structure and of course _ strong type of plastic structure and of course that may have different burning _ of course that may have different burning characteristics, perhaps burning — burning characteristics, perhaps burning more intensely and for ionger~ — burning more intensely and for longer. once a fire gets all we must find out _ longer. once a fire gets all we must find out in _ longer. once a fire gets all we must find out in the investigation as it -ets find out in the investigation as it gets underway, whiteness is still burning — gets underway, whiteness is still burning so you have a suggestion of those _ burning so you have a suggestion of those elements that i have mentioned have been— those elements that i have mentioned have been factors.— have been factors. briefly, presumably _ have been factors. briefly, presumably air-traffic - have been factors. briefly, - presumably air-traffic controllers, presumably air—traffic controllers, their expertise and also the procedures will be checked and investigated as well as part of this investigation?— investigation? absolutely. there's alwa s investigation? absolutely. there's

always observation _ investigation? absolutely. there's always observation at _ investigation? absolutely. there's always observation at work - investigation? absolutely. there's always observation at work in - investigation? absolutely. there's always observation at work in air l always observation at work in air traffic— always observation at work in air traffic control, having clear runways. _ traffic control, having clear runways, not having runway incursions, that is absolutely unacceptable in airport normal operations to have a conflict in runways — operations to have a conflict in runways. and indeed, if we are in a situation _ runways. and indeed, if we are in a situation of — runways. and indeed, if we are in a situation of pressure, landing to aircraft — situation of pressure, landing to aircraft on — situation of pressure, landing to aircraft on the runway, then aircraft _ aircraft on the runway, then aircraft taking off and landing, if an aircraft — aircraft taking off and landing, if an aircraft is already on the runway. _ an aircraft is already on the runway, then you abort the landing, that's— runway, then you abort the landing, that's instructions between pilots, perhaps— that's instructions between pilots, perhaps air—traffic controllers, looking — perhaps air—traffic controllers, looking visually for other signs from _ looking visually for other signs from the — looking visually for other signs from the cockpit to abort and do what _ from the cockpit to abort and do what is — from the cockpit to abort and do what is called a go around, another circuit— what is called a go around, another circuit until — what is called a go around, another circuit until the runway is cleared. john strickland, thank you so much and i hope we will keep you there for some moments but lets bring in

our correspondence he has been monitoring the situation for us. bring us the latest on what you're hearing about the situation on ground and is what has happened with evacuated passengers? the ground and is what has happened with evacuated passengers?— evacuated passengers? the bbc has soken to evacuated passengers? the bbc has spoken to the _ evacuated passengers? the bbc has spoken to the coast _ evacuated passengers? the bbc has spoken to the coast guard _ evacuated passengers? the bbc has spoken to the coast guard in - evacuated passengers? the bbc has spoken to the coast guard in tokyo | spoken to the coast guard in tokyo injapan. they have confirmed to us that there aircraft, their own aircraft clashed with a japan airlines plane and that there aircraft had six passengers on it. one of those passengers was evacuated and the safety situation of the other five is not clear. apparently, this coast guard aircraft was herding to the chicago region, the epicentre of the earthquake that struck just over 24 hours ago. the coastguard says its aircraft main mission was to help

with the disaster rescue mission, to transport goods to the region of northern japan on the coast. and that this was one of four planes on the mission for the earthquake at chicago. that the mission for the earthquake at chicano. �* ., chicago. at the moment the fire en . ines chicago. at the moment the fire engines are _ chicago. at the moment the fire engines are still _ chicago. at the moment the fire engines are still struggling - chicago. at the moment the fire engines are still struggling to i chicago. at the moment the fire l engines are still struggling to get control over the fire, tell us about that. ~ . . control over the fire, tell us about that. ~ , ., ., ., , that. we understand there are dozens of fire engines — that. we understand there are dozens of fire engines on _ that. we understand there are dozens of fire engines on the _ that. we understand there are dozens of fire engines on the runway - that. we understand there are dozens of fire engines on the runway at - of fire engines on the runway at haneda airport trying to control the fire. it seems they have managed to get a handle on the fire, there seems to be a bit more smoke than the flames that were engulfing the entire passenger plane, quite a huge structure. just not so long ago, there was a pretty wildfire throughout the structure but it seems to be more smoke now. 0ver throughout the structure but it seems to be more smoke now. over the last hour and a half, we have seen

the passenger plane descending onto the passenger plane descending onto the runway at haneda airport. it left behind a huge fireball which was presumably the coastguard aeroplane that it crashed into and the passenger plane continued down the passenger plane continued down the runway. it was still on fire but isolated initially but that spread very quickly and became a raging fire through the fuselage and as you can see, there is very little left of the aeroplane now.- can see, there is very little left of the aeroplane now. thank you so much for that _ of the aeroplane now. thank you so much for that update _ of the aeroplane now. thank you so much for that update on _ of the aeroplane now. thank you so much for that update on the - much for that update on the situation we are monitoring at haneda airport and not huge fire. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

so why continue to monitor the fire at tokyo airport. which has engulfed an entire airlinerfrom at tokyo airport. which has engulfed an entire airliner from japan airlines. the passengers and crew on board were safely evacuated from the aeroplane however five from six japan coast guard members on board the coast guard aircraft that collided with japan airlines aircraft and prompting this fire, are now unaccounted for. and we understand the whole of the airport, we know the whole airport is now closed, all the runways are closed at haneda airport and flights are being diverted to other airports within japan being diverted to other airports withinjapan and internationally flights are being cancelled and delayed. japan airlines said all 367 passengers on board the plane were evacuated. at the moment they said the cause was not immediately clear but the commission with the coastguard aircraft seems to have been the cause. we have been monitoring the fire. we

have been talking to our guest is an aviation expert, john strickland. you were talking about the type of materials used in modern aircraft, this is an airbus and perhaps some of that material is not the cause of a fire that is so intense but seems very difficult to put out? tell us about those materials and fight that might be a factor in the scale of this far? i'm so sorry to interrupt you, we now have new shots of the aeroplane as it came into land and we saw that explosion, we have not seen those pictures before, i am not sure if you have managed to see those. this sure if you have managed to see those. �* . sure if you have managed to see those. �* , ., ., those. as i mentioned, modern generation _ those. as i mentioned, modern generation airlines, _ those. as i mentioned, modern generation airlines, made - those. as i mentioned, modern generation airlines, made by i those. as i mentioned, modern - generation airlines, made by airbus, the boeing _ generation airlines, made by airbus, the boeing 787 made by boeing or increasingly made from carbon

composite materials, plastic type structure — composite materials, plastic type structure that is backed to form constituent parts of the aircraft, more _ constituent parts of the aircraft, more than — constituent parts of the aircraft, more than the boeing 787 but it is more _ more than the boeing 787 but it is more lightweight than metal is used previously, more durable and less susceptible to coercion in the way that metal— susceptible to coercion in the way that metal is so all in all, it is positive — that metal is so all in all, it is positive from the point of view of efficiency — positive from the point of view of efficiency and fuel burn and that is why it _ efficiency and fuel burn and that is why it is _ efficiency and fuel burn and that is why it is becoming increasingly used but as— why it is becoming increasingly used but as we _ why it is becoming increasingly used but as we know, plastic burns in a different— but as we know, plastic burns in a different way to metal and i am looking — different way to metal and i am looking at the images and i can only suggest _ looking at the images and i can only suggest that may be because of the intensity— suggest that may be because of the intensity of less ignition and fuel involved — intensity of less ignition and fuel involved as well, leading to a bigger— involved as well, leading to a bigger fire than might have been the case otherwise. the bigger fire than might have been the case otherwise.— case otherwise. the tokyo fire department — case otherwise. the tokyo fire department saying _ case otherwise. the tokyo fire department saying the - case otherwise. the tokyo fire department saying the japan l case otherwise. the tokyo fire - department saying the japan coast guard aircraft involved in the collection is also in flames and

perhaps not is why it is looking like such a dramatic scene there, according to the tokyo fire department, the coastguard aircraft also in flames. i think we can show you pictures from inside the aircraft as it came into land, smoke inside the cockpit. i'm so sorry, inside the cockpit. i'm so sorry, inside the cockpit. i'm so sorry, inside the cabin of the plane. and people presumably wondering at that point what is going on and where the smoke is coming from so they must have been incredibly relieved to be evacuated from the plane before it took hold, the fire, properly. as you will have seen during the last hour or so, the plane has no almost disintegrated as the fire has been consuming it. it disintegrated as the fire has been consuming it— disintegrated as the fire has been consuming it. it looks like it must be seconds _ consuming it. it looks like it must be seconds after _ consuming it. it looks like it must be seconds after the _ consuming it. it looks like it must be seconds after the aircraft - consuming it. it looks like it must i be seconds after the aircraft landed and just— be seconds after the aircraft landed and just came to a very abrupt halt. although _ and just came to a very abrupt halt. although we cannot see clearly, i

would _ although we cannot see clearly, i would imagine at that point the cabin— would imagine at that point the cabin crew were very active in instigating emergency evacuation procedures. a challenge we have today— procedures. a challenge we have today is — procedures. a challenge we have today is precisely because of that, we have _ today is precisely because of that, we have images on mobile phones, people _ we have images on mobile phones, people are — we have images on mobile phones, people are not as focused as they need _ people are not as focused as they need to— people are not as focused as they need to he — people are not as focused as they need to be in a situation like this to simply— need to be in a situation like this to simply get out of the aircraft. images— to simply get out of the aircraft. images of— to simply get out of the aircraft. images of less dramatic accidents, people _ images of less dramatic accidents, people filming, picking up bags at people filming, picking up bags et cetera. _ people filming, picking up bags et cetera. it— people filming, picking up bags et cetera, it is remarkable that the crew _ cetera, it is remarkable that the crew were — cetera, it is remarkable that the crew were able to get everyone on board _ crew were able to get everyone on board such — crew were able to get everyone on board such a full aircraft, people were _ board such a full aircraft, people were able — board such a full aircraft, people were able to get out safely. indeed, the confusion on people's faces, what _ the confusion on people's faces, what was — the confusion on people's faces, what was happening and how. certainly _ what was happening and how. certainly at that point there was not the — certainly at that point there was not the fire that we can see now that has— not the fire that we can see now that has described the aircraft. in that has described the aircraft. in your that has described the aircraft. in your experience how unusual is it to have a collision on the runway given the procedures there are four air

traffic control, planes coming into land and takeoff? is it unusual to have a plane another one?- land and takeoff? is it unusual to have a plane another one? very, very rare and extremely _ have a plane another one? very, very rare and extremely unusual. - rare and extremely unusual. accidents involving aircraft coming close _ accidents involving aircraft coming close on _ accidents involving aircraft coming close on the ground. this is why there _ close on the ground. this is why there are — close on the ground. this is why there are such precise and well—managed procedures although well— managed procedures although traffic— well—managed procedures although traffic control, radar coverage on the ground. even in conditions like this _ the ground. even in conditions like this the _ the ground. even in conditions like this. the amount of aircraft around the airport— this. the amount of aircraft around the airport is reduced. to a fraction _ the airport is reduced. to a fraction of— the airport is reduced. to a fraction of the normal rate. we cannot— fraction of the normal rate. we cannot see _ fraction of the normal rate. we cannot see where they are not moving so there _ cannot see where they are not moving so there is— cannot see where they are not moving so there is a _ cannot see where they are not moving so there is a great deal of care put into this _ so there is a great deal of care put into this. earlier, in the event

that— into this. earlier, in the event that an — into this. earlier, in the event that an aircraft that should not be on the _ that an aircraft that should not be on the runway is for another aircraft _ on the runway is for another aircraft as— on the runway is for another aircraft as landing or departing or another— aircraft as landing or departing or another aircraft is continuing to land _ another aircraft is continuing to land or— another aircraft is continuing to land or depart when there is a blockage _ land or depart when there is a blockage on the runway, there should be rapid _ blockage on the runway, there should be rapid intervention between the pilots _ be rapid intervention between the pilots and — be rapid intervention between the pilots and air traffic control to abort — pilots and air traffic control to abort landing or takeoff and go around — abort landing or takeoff and go around again, do another circuit. we know around again, do another circuit. know from the around again, do another circuit. - know from the coastguard that the aircraft which crashed into the japan airlines plane was heading to niigata airport from haneda airport to work on the disaster caused by the earthquake on new year's day so the earthquake on new year's day so the mission was disaster rescue and transporting goods. it is almost showing that these two incidents, a bigger problem, i was going to say we are seeing again that picture of when the plane came in on the

fireball as it landed. it is almost as if these incidents have a connection even though it's not a direct connection?— direct connection? yes. i am 'ust noticin: direct connection? yes. i am 'ust noticing the fi direct connection? yes. i am 'ust noticing the sequence, �* direct connection? yes. i am 'ust noticing the sequence, the h direct connection? yes. i am just i noticing the sequence, the weather conditions — noticing the sequence, the weather conditions on the ground appear to have been— conditions on the ground appear to have been clear. in the hours of darkness. — have been clear. in the hours of darkness. i_ have been clear. in the hours of darkness, i cannot really see, i cannot— darkness, i cannot really see, i cannot make out clearly the coastguard aircraft vehicle, it caught — coastguard aircraft vehicle, it caught the aircraft, the landing safety — caught the aircraft, the landing safety equipment someone to the front of— safety equipment someone to the front of the aircraft on the deck of the size _ front of the aircraft on the deck of the size of— front of the aircraft on the deck of the size of the coastguard aircraft. the coastguard aircraft is much smaller — the coastguard aircraft is much smaller than this, although that has not been _ smaller than this, although that has not been confirmed. but it may have been _ not been confirmed. but it may have been dragged under the wing of the

airbus _ been dragged under the wing of the airbus. , ., ,, a ., ., ,, been dragged under the wing of the airbus. , ., ,, w ., ., ~ ,. airbus. john strickland, thank you so much, pleased _ airbus. john strickland, thank you so much, pleased to _ airbus. john strickland, thank you so much, pleased to with - airbus. john strickland, thank you so much, pleased to with us. - airbus. john strickland, thank you so much, pleased to with us. you| airbus. john strickland, thank you i so much, pleased to with us. you are bbc news. john, i'm so sorry to interrupt you. while we are watching these pictures i wonder if you could tell us about the safety culture injapan? and how surprising it is for them to have such a big incident like this in a major airport? such a big incident like this in a majorairport? i such a big incident like this in a major airport?— such a big incident like this in a major airport? i thinkjapan as an aviation country, _ major airport? i thinkjapan as an aviation country, significantly - aviation country, significantly aviation— aviation country, significantly aviation dependent, they have a good safety _ aviation dependent, they have a good safety reputation. most of the airlines — safety reputation. most of the airlines have been around for some time, _ airlines have been around for some time, there have been one or two

accidents. — time, there have been one or two accidents, that is over many decades. _ accidents, that is over many decades, it has a exemplary reputation in world aviation. superseding global standards, global bodies _ superseding global standards, global bodies which ensure there is consistency throughout the world. as a trading _ consistency throughout the world. as a trading body, the national and 70 safety— a trading body, the national and 70 safety agencies among many... the industry— safety agencies among many... the industry as— safety agencies among many... the industry as a — safety agencies among many... the industry as a whole, the culture, and sharing _ industry as a whole, the culture, and sharing experiences, so you are always— and sharing experiences, so you are always learning, every accident, indeed. — always learning, every accident, indeed, any victims that evolved, not even — indeed, any victims that evolved, not even fatalities, often, accidents which are avoided, it does not lead _ accidents which are avoided, it does not lead to— accidents which are avoided, it does not lead to any fatalities, injuries or loss _ not lead to any fatalities, injuries or loss of— not lead to any fatalities, injuries or loss of aircraft so japan is part

of that— or loss of aircraft so japan is part of that in— or loss of aircraft so japan is part of that in safety culture. we understand _ of that in safety culture. - understand from the coastguard that the aircraft was carrying six people on board and the captain escaped but the five remaining people unaccounted for so at the moment it sounds sadly as if they have not managed to get out because at this stage they are impossible to be accounted for.— accounted for. that would be speculation _ accounted for. that would be speculation despite - accounted for. that would be speculation despite the - accounted for. that would be - speculation despite the information you have _ speculation despite the information you have given me. the spending on the state _ you have given me. the spending on the state of— you have given me. the spending on the state of entry of the captain. i am sure _ the state of entry of the captain. i am sure they won't want to speak to him if— am sure they won't want to speak to him if that— am sure they won't want to speak to him if that is— am sure they won't want to speak to him if that is possible. once they have _ him if that is possible. once they have seen— him if that is possible. once they have seen what medical state he is in. ., . ., , ., ~ in. how much do you think the procedures — in. how much do you think the procedures will— in. how much do you think the procedures will have _ in. how much do you think the procedures will have to - in. how much do you think the| procedures will have to change in. how much do you think the i procedures will have to change in terms of procedures for dealing with fires at airports given that you have seen so far? i fires at airports given that you have seen so far?— fires at airports given that you have seen so far? i don't know if

the footage _ have seen so far? i don't know if the footage you _ have seen so far? i don't know if the footage you are _ have seen so far? i don't know if the footage you are showing - have seen so far? i don't know if the footage you are showing is l have seen so far? i don't know if. the footage you are showing is live or if it _ the footage you are showing is live or if it is _ the footage you are showing is live or if it is burning in this way but one of— or if it is burning in this way but one of your— or if it is burning in this way but one of your correspondence you mentioned 60 or 70 firetrucks. i am sure there _ mentioned 60 or 70 firetrucks. i am sure there will be a sit down, a review— sure there will be a sit down, a review and _ sure there will be a sit down, a review and wash up around the table but the _ review and wash up around the table but the fire _ review and wash up around the table but the fire must be dealt with and the wreckage of two aircraft, there will certainly have been a great deal— will certainly have been a great deal of— will certainly have been a great deal of consideration between managing accidents with aircraft and the addition of these composite materials because if there is combustion potential on the multilayered structures, there is the evidence of dealing with fire based _ the evidence of dealing with fire based on — the evidence of dealing with fire based on fuel that is naturally intense — based on fuel that is naturally intense characteristic of burning i think— intense characteristic of burning i

think this — intense characteristic of burning i think this happens and it will apply not only— think this happens and it will apply not only here but in terms of what — not only here but in terms of what... , ., ,, . not only here but in terms of what... ., ., . not only here but in terms of what... ., .,. “ what... john, you are watching bbc news. what... john, you are watching bbc news- for— what... john, you are watching bbc news. for international— what... john, you are watching bbc news. for international viewers - what... john, you are watching bbcj news. for international viewers are joining us. the scale of this is assured me, have you ever seen anything quite as dramatic as this? it is dramatic, simply because it is a large _ it is dramatic, simply because it is a large airline, there was much less fuel on— a large airline, there was much less fuel on board than the capacity for the aircraft, perhaps it was doing a short— the aircraft, perhaps it was doing a short flight — the aircraft, perhaps it was doing a short flight on the question i posed. — short flight on the question i posed. it _ short flight on the question i posed, it pays not to speculate but ithink— posed, it pays not to speculate but i think it _ posed, it pays not to speculate but i think it is — posed, it pays not to speculate but i think it is important to state it is composite material that will not burn in _ is composite material that will not burn in the — is composite material that will not burn in the way that plastic does. certainly. — burn in the way that plastic does. certainly. i— burn in the way that plastic does. certainly, i have not seen any instant — certainly, i have not seen any instant that i can think of of a new

generation— instant that i can think of of a new generation airline burning like