Ukrainian An-124 "Ruslan" cargo plane catches fire at Chubu Airport in Japan

23.10.2026, 11:44 rubryka.com

Japanese broadcaster NHK and aviation outlet FL360aero reported the event, Rubryka conveys.

According to data from the outlets, ground personnel noticed the fire on the aircraft around 7:20 p.m. local time as it was landing at Chubu International Airport.

Citing airport officials and Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, NHK reported that flames appeared on part of the fuselage.

Following the fire's detection, authorities closed the runway for 15 minutes before reopening it to normal operations.

Location: Chubu Centrair International AirportClick to open side panel for more information (Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, Japan)

Aircraft Type: Antonov An-124 Ruslan (Heavy Strategic Airlifter / Cargo Aircraft)

Status / Event: Emergency response and runway dispatch following reported landing anomalies and smoke/fire indicators.

Situation OverviewReports and local emergency tracking emerged regarding an Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft arriving at Chubu Centrair International AirportClick to open side panel for more information in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture.

Initial local alerts indicated that emergency fire trucks and airport rescue services were rapidly dispatched to the scene following signs of smoke or flames during the landing sequence.

Aircraft & Operational Context

The Heavyweight Presence:The Antonov An-124 is one of the largest serially produced heavy-lift cargo aircraft in the world. Because of its massive scale—featuring a wingspan of over 73 meters and four powerful Progress D-18T turbofan engines—its operations regularly attract significant attention from aviation enthusiasts and spotters across Japan.

Emergency Response:Due to the high fuel capacity and heavy landing weights associated with the An-124 class, airport safety protocols mandate immediate, high-priority deployment of specialized airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) units whenever an incoming aircraft reports thermal anomalies or braking/engine strain upon touchdown.

#aircraft

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) October 22, 2026

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism is investigating the details of the incident. It remains unknown whether the aircraft sustained damage or if anyone suffered injuries.

Authorities have not disclosed what cargo the "Ruslan" was carrying or what caused the fire.

The An-124-100 "Ruslan" is one of the world's largest cargo aircraft, designed by the Kyiv-based Antonov Design Bureau.

Background

This is not the first overseas incident involving a Ukrainian "Ruslan." On the night of August 5, security personnel at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany discovered a drone carrying explosives and a detonator near an Antonov Airlines An-124.

According to media reports, workers had loaded the aircraft with ammunition at the time. The explosive device failed to detonate. US intelligence linked the attempted sabotage to Russian military intelligence.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that no one was injured and the Antonov aircraft sustained no damage.

Another incident occurred that same night. A cargo plane that could not land due to the airport closure collided with another object at an altitude of several hundred meters near the airfield.

Germany later officially accused Russia of the early August incident at the Leipzig airport, where the explosive-laden drone struck the Ukrainian plane without detonating. The German government subsequently announced its decision to close the Russian Consulate General in Bonn no later than September 18, 2026.