Flight JL-377 | Registration: JA322J
Date: 7 April 2025 | Location: Tokyo Haneda Airport (RJTT), Japan
Flight Details
• Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-846
• Engines: 2 × CFM56-7B26
• Operator: Japan Airlines (JAL)
• Registration: JA322J
• Flight Number: JL-377
• Callsign: JAL377
• Route: Tokyo Haneda (RJTT) to Kitakyushu (RJFR), Japan
• Date of Incident: 7 April 2025
• Total Occupants: 80 (73 passengers, 7 crew)
• Weather Conditions: Reported visual meteorological conditions at time of incident
Introduction
On 7 April 2025, a Japan Airlines Boeing 737-800 operating flight JL-377 from Tokyo Haneda to Kitakyushu began its take-off roll from runway 05 at Haneda but was aligned with the left runway edge lights rather than the runway centreline. The aircraft subsequently collided with multiple edge lights before the crew initiated a rejected take-off. No injuries were reported, but the incident led to damage to the runway lighting infrastructure and temporary runway closure. A replacement aircraft completed the flight approximately five hours later.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft was taxiing for departure and received clearance to line up and take off from runway 05 at Tokyo Haneda. Instead of aligning with the runway centreline, the aircraft lined up with the left edge lighting—a significant positional error rarely seen in commercial operations.
Upon initiating the take-off roll, the aircraft struck multiple runway edge lights. The crew, likely alerted by visual cues, cockpit vibration, or internal monitoring systems, rejected the take-off and brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway.
The time of the event was recorded at 19:11 local time (10:11Z). Following the incident, the aircraft vacated the runway under its own power and returned to a stand for inspection.
Runway 05 was closed for approximately one hour to assess and repair damage to edge lighting and to inspect the pavement surface. A replacement Boeing 737-800 (JA335J) was dispatched to complete the journey to Kitakyushu with a delay of over five hours.
Crew & Communication
The flight crew received proper ATC clearance to line up and take off from runway 05. However, visual misalignment during the line-up phase led to the aircraft being positioned along the left runway edge lighting rather than the designated centreline.
There is no indication of a language barrier or ATC miscommunication. The crew did not detect the misalignment prior to initiating the take-off roll, raising potential concerns about visual situational awareness or cockpit distraction.
Following the collision with edge lights, the crew immediately rejected the take-off and reported the event to ATC, which initiated runway closure procedures.
ATC did not issue any corrective instructions during line-up, suggesting the misalignment may not have been visible from the tower or detected prior to the roll.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The Boeing 737-800 does not feature a heads-up display (HUD) or onboard centreline alignment system by default. Standard take-off alignment relies on:
• Out-the-window visual cues
• Taxiway markings
• Runway edge, centreline, and threshold lights
• Cockpit cross-checks between pilots
Contributing technical or environmental factors that could lead to such a misalignment include:
• Faded or low-visibility centreline markings
• Glare or poor contrast of runway paint during dusk hours
• Ground handling marshalling error during taxi guidance
• Misjudgement of nosewheel position during turn-on
It is not believed that the aircraft suffered any system failures prior to the take-off roll.
The impact with edge lights may have resulted in:
• Nose or main gear tyre damage
• Wheel fairing or gear door scuffing
• Minor undercarriage misalignment
The aircraft was removed from service for post-incident inspection and possible maintenance actions.
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
Passengers onboard felt the initial acceleration, followed by an unexpected deceleration as the take-off was aborted. There were no reports of onboard panic or injury. Cabin crew provided reassurance and updates following the rejected take-off.
Some passengers may have noticed abnormal runway alignment or vibration but likely remained unaware of the specific cause until the aircraft returned to the gate.
Passengers were deplaned and transferred to a replacement aircraft, which departed later the same evening.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
Runway 05 was immediately closed by Tokyo Haneda Airport Operations. Airside personnel inspected the damaged edge lighting, removed debris, and confirmed no FOD (foreign object debris) remained on the runway before reopening it approximately one hour later.
The damaged edge lights were either replaced or temporarily isolated pending full replacement. Japan Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that the take-off was rejected following an error in alignment and that no passengers or crew were injured.
The replacement aircraft, JA335J, departed with a total delay of around 5 hours and 10 minutes.
Investigation Status
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) confirmed that an investigation has been launched. Preliminary findings focus on:
• Human factors contributing to misalignment
• Flight crew runway entry procedures
• Visibility and marking adequacy on runway 05
• ATC tower view and potential missed identification of mispositioning
• Taxi route and clearance timeline from ground to tower
Cockpit voice and flight data recorders (CVR and FDR) are being reviewed for cross-check protocols, taxi communications, and cockpit task division during runway line-up.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
Root Cause:
Flight crew misaligned the aircraft with the left runway edge lighting instead of the centreline prior to take-off roll.
Contributing Factors may include:
• Diminished visual contrast of runway markings during twilight
• Distraction or fatigue in the cockpit
• Insufficient runway entry cross-check
• Lack of immediate recognition of abnormal line-up geometry
• Absence of real-time ATC alert due to line-of-sight limitations
This incident highlights the risks associated with visual misalignment even under clear weather conditions.
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
To prevent recurrence of such events, authorities and operators may consider:
• Enhanced pilot briefings on runway line-up vigilance
• Additional cockpit reminders to verify centreline alignment
• Improved lighting and visibility aids on taxiways and runways
• ATC visual confirmation training for tower controllers
• Use of onboard taxi guidance tools (e.g. EFB maps, HUD overlays where available)
MLIT may also recommend standardising runway edge vs. centreline lighting contrasts for better visual distinction.
Japan Airlines is expected to conduct internal CRM (Crew Resource Management) and human factors reviews, and simulator-based recurrence training may be implemented.
Conclusion
The rejected take-off by JAL flight JL-377 after misaligning with the runway edge lights at Tokyo Haneda is a rare but instructive example of the need for constant visual vigilance, even during routine departures. The incident, though without injuries or major damage, disrupted operations and required infrastructure repairs.
This event serves as a strong reminder that procedural discipline, visual confirmation, and cross-cockpit verification are critical at every stage of ground operation.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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