On 30 July, an Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (C-GHPV) got stuck on a partially unpaved taxiway under construction just after landing on runway 16L at Tokyo Narita Airport.
However clearly mentioned in the notams (notice to airmen) but badly signaled (without “under construction”-signs) the pilots took the wrong exit, just before exit B7. As it was very difficult for ground staff to push the aircraft back on the runway, the 11 crew members and 201 passengers got stuck inside the aircraft for five (!) hours. A challenging situation for both cabin crew and passengers as the aircraft, coming in from Montreal, already flew for 13 hours and 22 minutes. Aviation journalist Tom Podolec tweeted the following images and video.
Six flights had to be cancelled and many others diverted to surrounding airports.
Air Canada #AC5 Montreal to Tokyo has inadvertently entered taxiway construction area after landing; now stuck. Runway 16L closed.
Tokyo Narita Airport now operating on a single runway (16R) operations.
NHK news heli orbiting around.
C-GHPV Boeing 787-8 pic.twitter.com/exBGzZtP3I— Tom Podolec (@TomPodolec) July 30, 2018
Update
Air Canada #AC5 Montreal to Tokyo Narita is still stuck after landing almost 2 hours ago. Exited runway into a taxiway construction area.
Narita airport on single runway ops.NHK has a live feed uphttps://t.co/o2QCAyXZTz pic.twitter.com/vGGLfDrb0L
— Tom Podolec (@TomPodolec) July 30, 2018
Update
Aerial photo shows Air Canada #AC5 stuck on the taxiway under construction. Montreal to Tokyo Narita flight landed and exited in the wrong spot. Waiting there for two hours. Pilot calling for busses for passengers. Airport now on single runway ops as 16L is closed. pic.twitter.com/xKGNNGjDZH— Tom Podolec (@TomPodolec) July 30, 2018
Update
Air Canada #AC5 still stuck in taxiway construction area. Montreal to Tokyo Narita flight exited in wrong spot. Pilot repeatedly asking ground control for updates; they have none to provide. Busses have been requested by pilot. Appears it will be at least an hour.? NHK pic.twitter.com/6tz9qj8a35
— Tom Podolec (@TomPodolec) July 30, 2018
Update
Air Canada #AC5 Montreal to Tokyo is being pushed back on the runway. Process may take some time; ground is uneven. Construction equipment on site assisting. Aircraft exited runway into a taxiway construction area after landing. Passengers have been on board for 4 hours pic.twitter.com/alDfl5JtGu— Tom Podolec (@TomPodolec) July 30, 2018
Update
AirCanada #AC5 is finally back on the runway and being towed to the gate. Montreal to Tokyo flight exited runway into a taxiway construction area after landing almost 5 hrs ago and has been stuck there since. pic.twitter.com/h5MROz07sO
— Tom Podolec (@TomPodolec) July 30, 2018
They didn’t use B7, they used a taxiway under construction.
And also “AIP Japan’s current aerodrome charts do not show the taxiway under construction nor do the NOTAMs include any information about that taxiway under construction possibly being confused with B7.”
http://avherald.com/h?article=4bbbea30&opt=0