Simulation Analysis of Japan Air 1628 Flight Path

This document consists of a series of five radar simulation images and accompanying descriptive notes detailing the flight path of Japan Air 1628 on November 18, 1986. The simulations were generated to visualize radar data captured during the flight. Simulation #1 establishes the baseline, noting the date and time entered into the display, and identifying the target as Japan Air 1628 at flight level 350, with geographic references to Fort Yukon and Fairbanks. Simulation #2 focuses on the plotted positions at 0232Z, noting that the flight was in descent and that the pilot reported an object descending in formation with the aircraft. Simulation #3 provides a combined view of the previous data. Simulation #4 illustrates the flight path after passing Fairbanks, where the aircraft performed a 360-degree turn toward the radar antenna, resulting in a brief period of bad data between an easterly and southerly heading. Finally, Simulation #5 tracks the flight from abeam Nenana (ENN) until the pilot reported losing contact with the traffic. It also notes a United flight at 290 that was in sight of the Japan Air pilot at approximately 0250Z.