Flames spotted on Ukrainian Antonov An-124 during or just after landing in Japan after flight from Alaska; cause, damage and cargo remain unknown

Flames were seen on the rear fuselage of a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 Ruslan cargo plane during or just after landing at Chubu Centrair International Airport near Nagoya, Japan. The Antonov Airlines aircraft was arriving from Fairbanks, Alaska, at around 19:20 local time when air traffic controllers noticed the fire.

Airport fire crews responded. The plane stopped briefly on the runway, then taxied to its parking spot under its own power.

The cause is under investigation. Some Japanese reports have pointed to a possible problem with the auxiliary power unit, but the extent of any damage and the cargo on board remain unknown.

Antonov Airlines, which has operated out of Leipzig, Germany, since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has not yet commented in detail.