"Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny: Incidents in Tokyo and Alaska Prompt Material and Human Error Concerns"
The recent Tokyo plane crash has sparked renewed scrutiny over the safety of carbon-composite materials used in aircraft fuselages. While the material is lighter and can contribute to fuel savings, concerns about its flammability and the toxicity of smoke from fires are being discussed. The incident at Haneda Airport involved a Japan Airlines A350 with a carbon-composite fuselage that caught fire, but all passengers and crew escaped. Experts are debating whether composite materials offer better or worse protection against fire and heat compared to traditional aluminum. The difficulty in extinguishing the fire and potential long-term health impacts from toxic smoke are also under investigation.