Firefighters in Haneda Aircraft Accident Exposed to Harmful New Plastic from Burning Plane

The Airbus A350-900 model of airplane that was used for Japan Airlines flight JAL 516 is cutting-edge. By weight, 53% of the aircraft’s main structures, including the fuselage, main wings and tail, are made of a compound material called carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). Since CFRP is lighter than aluminum alloy, the most common material used in aircraft, it is thought to improve fuel efficiency. The material is also said to be more resistant to decay.