History of the Flight
On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, a Boeing 767-300, registration JA603A, operated by All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. as a scheduled cargo flight 8512, departed from Hongkong International Airport and landed on Runway 34L at Narita International Airport at 07:34 Japan Standard Time (JST). The cockpit crew consisted of a pilot in command (PIC) in the left seat as pilot flying (PF) and a first officer (FO) in the right seat as pilot monitoring (PM). After landing, the aircraft vacated the runway via taxiway A5 and taxied toward Spot 222 via taxiways W7, W, and W5NGWY.
During taxi, the PIC visually observed whitish ice and wet areas on the taxiway, perceiving the surface as slippery. However, he believed that by reducing speed and turning carefully, the aircraft could stop safely. Upon entering the spot, the PIC initiated a right turn short of the Aircraft Stand Lead-in Line to avoid sliding, with the aircraft's ground speed at 7 knots. The nose gear reached the straight portion of the lead-in line, and the aircraft turned to a heading of 046° when steering became ineffective at 4 knots.
The PIC fully depressed both brake pedals but could not stop the aircraft. Anticipating a collision with ground service equipment, he applied reverse thrust at idle to reduce impact speed. This caused the aircraft's tail to veer right, and the airframe began sliding counterclockwise on the spot, becoming uncontrollable despite brakes being applied. The aircraft continued sliding while rotating, until the lower nose surface struck a parked ground service equipment when the heading reached 322°, coming to a stop. The accident occurred at 07:38 JST on Spot 222 at Narita International Airport.
After stopping, following a hand signal from a ground operator, the PIC engaged the parking brake and shut down the engines.
Injuries
No injuries were reported.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including to the radome, forward pressurization bulkhead, lower fuselage skin panel, forward access door, and nose landing gear door. The ground service equipment's driver seat, control console, and console handrail were damaged and deformed.
Personnel Information
The PIC, aged 52, held an airline transport pilot certificate with a Boeing 767 type rating, a valid Class 1 medical certificate, and had accumulated 14,188 hours 16 minutes total flight time, including 4,490 hours 19 minutes on the Boeing 767. The FO, aged 43, held a commercial pilot certificate, Boeing 767 type rating, instrument flight certificate, and valid Class 1 medical certificate, with 8,683 hours 58 minutes total flight time, including 4,089 hours 38 minutes on type.
Aircraft Information
The Boeing 767-300, serial number 32972, was manufactured on April 25, 2002, and held a valid certificate of airworthiness. At the time of the accident, the aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within allowable ranges.
Meteorological Information
At 07:30 JST, the aviation routine weather report at Narita International Airport indicated wind from 280° at 15 knots, gusts to 25 knots, visibility 10 km or more, few clouds at 3,000 feet, temperature -3°C, dew point -18°C, and altimeter setting 29.91 inHg. The previous night, the airport experienced sleet and snow, with sub-zero temperatures continuing into the morning. At the time the aircraft tail began to slide, the wind was 280° at 14 knots.
Additional Information
Post-accident inspections by company mechanics found no failures in the landing gear, steering, brakes, or engines.
The company's Airplane Operations Reference (AOR) for the Boeing 767-300 provided recommendations for taxiing on slippery surfaces, including making turns at low speed (not exceeding about 3 knots for nose gear steering), applying differential braking if needed, and avoiding differential thrust due to slow engine response.
Regarding anti-icing measures, ground operators had noted icy conditions on the spot at about 06:30. The Airside Supervisor considered changing spot allocation but found the alternative spot also icy and decided instead to scatter anti-icing agents. At about 06:50, approximately 10 kg of anti-icing agents were sprayed along a 61-meter section of the Aircraft Stand Lead-in Line and in the area where ground service equipment operated.