Japan to Expand Mandatory Safety Training for Pilots Following Fatal Runway Collision
In response to a fatal runway collision between a Japan Airlines passenger jet and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo's Haneda Airport last January, the transport ministry plans to expand mandatory safety training for all pilots.
The revisions to the Aviation Law will require all pilots, including those of Coast Guard and private aircraft, to undergo Crew Resource Management (CRM) training. This training is designed to enhance communication among crew members and has been shown to be effective in reducing aviation accidents caused by human error.
Currently, CRM training is mandatory only for commercial airlines such as JAL and All Nippon Airways. The proposal to expand the requirement to all pilots will be submitted during the ordinary Diet session, which convened on January 24th.
After the revision, all pilots will be required to complete CRM training to be certified to operate at airports with air traffic controllers. Pilots from the Self-Defense Forces will be exempt from this requirement, as they are governed by separate regulations under the Defense Ministry.
The revised law will also require major airports to establish a dedicated team to oversee runway safety. Additionally, regulators will check whether measures are in place to prevent aircraft from entering the runway at the wrong time.
The Haneda accident tragically occurred when the Coast Guard aircraft entered the runway after the crew misunderstood instructions from the air traffic controller. A progress report released last month revealed that the captain and copilot failed to rectify their error, even after discussing the order with each other. With the controller also unaware of the misunderstanding, the landing JAL plane collided with the Coast Guard aircraft, killing all but one of the six Coast Guard crew members.
The investigation by the Japan Transport Safety Board is ongoing.
9 Comments
Karamba
I fully support the expansion! Proper CRM training could have prevented this tragic incident.
Matzomaster
What’s the point of additional training if the air traffic control instructions are still unclear?
Rotfront
It’s wise to prepare everyone, not just commercial airline pilots. Safety is everyone's responsibility.
Karamba
Implementing yet another requirement seems like overregulation. There are always risks in aviation.
Rotfront
With the complexities of modern air travel, comprehensive training like CRM for all pilots is essential.
Katchuka
Every industry has its accidents. Training won't eliminate those risks. We should practice acceptance of that.
KittyKat
The collaboration among pilots can save lives. This training is essential for future safety.
BuggaBoom
The requirement for all pilots to complete good training is a solid decision to enhance safety standards.
Noir Black
More training doesn’t necessarily lead to better performance if the systems they use are outdated.