Boeing Apologises, Deletes Repair Error Content on 1985 JAL 123 Crash That Killed 520
Boeing apologised to Japan Airlines and removed website content describing the repair error behind the 1985 JAL Flight 123 crash, which killed 520 people. The error, from a 1978 tail-strike repair, had reduced splice plate strength to 70% of design, leading to structural failure. Boeing cited potential misunderstanding, offered condolences, but gave no detailed explanation. Japan Airlines and the transport ministry await a formal response.
Boeing has apologised for the repair error behind the Japan Airlines Flight 123 crash and removed from its website a description of the cause of the error. The company said the move was to avoid misunderstanding and offered an apology to Japan Airlines. Japan Airlines had earlier asked Boeing for an explanation, but Boeing only apologised without providing detailed reasons. Boeing also issued a statement expressing condolences to the families of the victims.
On 12 August 1985, Japan Airlines Flight 123, en route from Haneda Airport to Osaka, experienced an anomaly 12 minutes after take-off and eventually crashed in Ueno village, Gunma Prefecture, killing 520 people. The accident investigation showed that a repair error had weakened the rear pressure bulkhead, which ruptured in flight, causing hydraulic system failure and loss of control. The aircraft remained airborne for about 30 minutes but ultimately failed to return to Haneda.
The repair error occurred in 1978, when the aircraft suffered a tail-strike accident at Itami Airport, damaging the rear pressure bulkhead. Metal fatigue subsequently developed gradually, eventually leading to the 1985 accident. Neither Boeing nor Japan Airlines inspections detected the error.
In September 2024, Boeing published the cause of the error in a safety education section on its website, stating that the splice plate had been cut because of installation difficulties. Japan Airlines and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism asked Boeing for a detailed explanation, but Boeing subsequently deleted the description and apologised. Boeing said its description was based on content from the US Federal Aviation Administration's website, but the citation caused confusion. Currently, Boeing only provides a link to the FAA and has not offered further explanation.
Japan Airlines and the ministry are still awaiting a formal response from Boeing. Earlier reports had said the error was a misreading of instructions, but the content deleted by Boeing did not match that. Boeing issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims' families and pledged to continue learning lessons from the accident. The accident investigation committee's report did not mention the reason for using two splice plates, as it was unable to question Boeing at the time.
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