The investigation revealed that the pilot of the Japan Coast Guard plane misinterpreted air traffic control instructions, believing he had clearance to enter the runway when he did not. Instead of waiting at a holding point, he thought he was first in line for takeoff, which led to a deadly collision with a Japan Airlines passenger plane.
In the critical moments before the collision, the Coast Guard pilot, who was in a hurry, ordered his co-pilot to perform final checklist steps typically reserved for post-clearance. The pilot later claimed he thought he heard the words 'cleared for takeoff', which highlighted his miscommunication with air traffic control.
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