Narita, Japan: A Japan Airlines (JAL) Boeing 767 operating a domestic service from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Kagoshima Airport (KOJ) made an emergency landing at Narita International Airport (NRT) on May 29 after a suspected tire failure during takeoff prompted the crew to divert the aircraft.
The aircraft, carrying 218 passengers and eight crew members, landed safely at Narita at approximately 11:55 a.m. local time. No injuries were reported among those on board.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and local media reports, the incident began shortly after departure from Haneda Airport when the crew detected a problem believed to be related to the aircraft’s landing gear tires.
As a precaution, the Boeing 767 discontinued its planned flight to Kagoshima and diverted to Narita, where emergency services were positioned ahead of the landing. The aircraft touched down without further incident and passengers later disembarked safely.
Airport and transport authorities immediately launched an investigation into the occurrence. The incident resulted in temporary operational disruptions at both airports.
Following the emergency landing, Narita Airport’s Runway A was closed for approximately two hours while officials inspected the aircraft and conducted safety assessments. Airport operations later resumed after the runway was cleared for use.
Meanwhile, officials at Haneda Airport discovered debris on Runway D, the same runway used by the JAL aircraft for departure. Authorities temporarily closed the runway beginning around 10:30 a.m. to determine whether the debris originated from the Boeing 767.
After inspections were completed, Runway D reopened at approximately 1:45 p.m. However, investigators have not yet confirmed whether the debris was connected to the Japan Airlines aircraft.
Further details indicated that the aircraft conducted a low approach inspection, during which damage was reportedly observed on two forward tires of the main landing gear. The report suggested the event may have involved more extensive tire damage than initially believed. There were no reported injuries among the 226 occupants onboard and the aircraft landed safely following the occurrence.
