JA8119 ¦ HND 24.07.1985
Boeing B.747-SR46 (c/n 20783/230)
Japan Air Lines
Tokyo-Haneda (HND/RJTT)
24 July 1985
More than 100 Boeing 747s were operated by Japan Air Lines over the years, including 12 SR-models. The SR (Short Range) was a unique variant of the 747-100 developed to meet high-density, short-haul needs of the Japanese domestic market. Early SR models seated up to 498 passengers, later configurations up to 563. Primary operators were JAL and ANA.
JA8119 was one of the twelve SRs, built in 1974 and delivered to JAL in February that year, with a C16Y512 configuration. In 1978 it suffered a tail strike while landing at Osaka-Itami, requiring a replacement of the lower part of the rear fuselage, and the lower half of the rear pressure bulkhead. The repairs were carried out by the manufacturer.
JA8119 was seen rocketing out of Haneda, most probably for a short, high-density flight to Osaka, some three weeks before it - exactly 40 years ago on 12 August 1985 - was to become the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history, when 12 minutes after take-off from Haneda the pressure bulkhead ruptured, causing explosive decompression which tore off the vertical stabilizer and severed all hydraulic systems, rendering the aircraft nearly uncontrollable. It eventually crashed into Mount Takamagahara in Gunma Prefecture after 32 minutes of flight, killing 520 out of the 524 occupants. Post accident investigations of the wreckage revealed fatigue cracks in the bulkhead, attributable to a faulty repair after the 1978 tail strike.
(from my collection - credit due to photographer)
JA8119 ¦ HND 24.07.1985
Boeing B.747-SR46 (c/n 20783/230)
Japan Air Lines
Tokyo-Haneda (HND/RJTT)
24 July 1985
More than 100 Boeing 747s were operated by Japan Air Lines over the years, including 12 SR-models. The SR (Short Range) was a unique variant of the 747-100 developed to meet high-density, short-haul needs of the Japanese domestic market. Early SR models seated up to 498 passengers, later configurations up to 563. Primary operators were JAL and ANA.
JA8119 was one of the twelve SRs, built in 1974 and delivered to JAL in February that year, with a C16Y512 configuration. In 1978 it suffered a tail strike while landing at Osaka-Itami, requiring a replacement of the lower part of the rear fuselage, and the lower half of the rear pressure bulkhead. The repairs were carried out by the manufacturer.
JA8119 was seen rocketing out of Haneda, most probably for a short, high-density flight to Osaka, some three weeks before it - exactly 40 years ago on 12 August 1985 - was to become the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history, when 12 minutes after take-off from Haneda the pressure bulkhead ruptured, causing explosive decompression which tore off the vertical stabilizer and severed all hydraulic systems, rendering the aircraft nearly uncontrollable. It eventually crashed into Mount Takamagahara in Gunma Prefecture after 32 minutes of flight, killing 520 out of the 524 occupants. Post accident investigations of the wreckage revealed fatigue cracks in the bulkhead, attributable to a faulty repair after the 1978 tail strike.
(from my collection - credit due to photographer)