Cargo Aircraft Skids Off Hong Kong Runway and Falls Into Sea, Leaving Two Dead
A cargo aircraft operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines under lease to Emirates skidded off a Hong Kong runway early Monday, striking a security patrol car and plunging into the sea. Two airport workers were killed, while all four crew members on board survived without injuries. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
Fatal Collision at Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong authorities confirmed that a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft overshot the north runway of Hong Kong International Airport at around 3:50 a.m. local time on Monday, colliding with a security patrol car before sliding into the sea. The accident claimed the lives of two airport security personnel inside the vehicle, officials said.
The plane, operated by ACT Airlines of Turkey and leased to Emirates, was arriving from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport with no cargo on board. The four crew members, who were rescued from the aircraft’s open door after it split into two sections upon impact, were reported uninjured.
“The patrol car absolutely did not rush onto the runway. It was the plane that went off the runway and crashed into the patrol car outside the fence,” said Steven Yiu, Executive Director of Airport Operations at Hong Kong’s Airport Authority.
Rescue Efforts and Scene Description
Emergency response teams arrived shortly after the crash, finding the aircraft partially submerged just beyond the airport’s seawall. Local television footage showed the front half of the Boeing 747 floating above water, while the rear section appeared broken off and submerged.
Fire services official Yiu Men-yeung said divers located the two victims trapped inside the submerged patrol vehicle after a 40-minute search. The four flight crew were safely evacuated and assessed by ambulance officers, who confirmed they had not sustained injuries.
Runway Closed Amid Ongoing Investigation
The accident occurred on the airport’s north runway, which was subsequently closed for recovery operations. Hong Kong International Airport, one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs, said its two other runways remained operational and that broader flight schedules were unaffected.
Weather conditions at the time of landing were suitable, according to officials. Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Authority classified the case as an accident and began analyzing potential factors including aircraft systems, pilot operations, and maintenance records.
Authorities are also searching for the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to assist with the investigation.
Aircraft and Operator Details
Emirates said the Boeing 747 freighter, operating under flight number EK9788, was wet leased from ACT Airlines, meaning the Turkish company provided the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance. Emirates confirmed that no cargo was being transported on the flight.
Data from flight tracking service Flightradar24 indicates that the aircraft was 32 years old. The aging freighter had taken off from Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum International Airport, a growing cargo hub for Emirates’ freight operations.
Emirates and ACT Airlines: Cargo Partnership Context
Emirates, owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, primarily operates passenger flights from Dubai International Airport but has expanded its cargo operations in recent years to meet global shipping demand. The airline’s annual report noted the addition of two wet-leased Boeing 747 freighters to supplement its cargo capacity.
ACT Airlines, based in Istanbul, operates global cargo services and has worked with several international carriers under wet lease arrangements.
Geographic Factors and Airport Design
Hong Kong International Airport, constructed on reclaimed land off Lantau Island, is surrounded by the South China Sea. The north runway, where the crash occurred, lies just a few hundred meters from open water—a factor that made the aircraft’s plunge into the sea almost immediate once it skidded off the runway.
Next Steps in the Investigation
Officials said the priority remains recovering the aircraft’s black boxes and conducting a technical review to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or environmental conditions played a role.
As investigators continue to gather data, the accident has renewed attention on aviation safety protocols at major international hubs and the operational challenges of managing aircraft landings in coastal airports built on reclaimed terrain.
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