No fatalities

Cabin Fire on Japan Airlines Flight 653 During Approach to Taipei

Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan

On June 5, 2009, a BOEING 767 300 operated by JAPAN AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CO LTD was involved in an aviation accident near Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: <br /><br />. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards
BOEING 767 300
Photo: Tosaka / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On June 6, 2009, Japan Airlines flight 653, a Boeing 767-300 (JA-613J), experienced a cabin fire while approaching Taoyuan International Airport. A charred lighter was found between a seat belt root lock and cushion. No injuries occurred; aircraft sustained minor damage.

Incident Overview

On June 6, 2009, Japan Airlines flight 653, a Boeing 767-300 with registration JA-613J, encountered a cabin fire while on approach to Taoyuan International Airport (TPE/RCTP) in Taipei, Taiwan. The flight crew managed the situation safely, and the airplane landed without further incident.

Fire Origin and Damage

Following the event, investigators discovered the remains of a charred lighter in the nook between a seat belt root lock and the seat cushion. The fire resulted in minor damage to the aircraft. There were no injuries among the passengers or crew members.

Investigation

The Taiwan Aviation Safety Council is conducting the investigation into the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) assigned an Accredited Representative to assist, given the airplane's country of manufacture and design.

All Boeing 767-300 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Jun 2009 BOEING 767 300 accident near Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan?

On June 6, 2009, Japan Airlines flight 653, a Boeing 767-300 (JA-613J), experienced a cabin fire while approaching Taoyuan International Airport. A charred lighter was found between a seat belt root lock and cushion. No injuries occurred; aircraft sustained minor damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Jun 2009 BOEING 767 300 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Jun 2009 involved a BOEING 767 300, operated by JAPAN AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CO LTD, at Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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