Fatal Cargo Plane Crash Shakes Hong Kong Airport
Two people were killed early Monday when a Boeing 747-400 cargo plane skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport, in one of the city’s most serious aviation accidents since the airport opened in 1998.
Authorities said the aircraft, arriving from Dubai, veered off the tarmac during landing, broke through a perimeter fence, and slammed into a security patrol vehicle parked on the outer side of the fence before plunging both machines into the shallow seawater that borders the runway.
Airport Patrol Crew Among the Victims
The impact crushed the patrol car and swept it into the sea.
A 30-year-old airport security officer was pronounced dead at the scene, while his 41-year-old colleague was pulled from the submerged vehicle by divers and later died in hospital.
Divers recovered the men about five metres (16 feet) from the shoreline near the airport’s northern boundary, officials confirmed.
Scene of the Crash: Plane Partly Submerged
Footage from the scene showed the massive cargo aircraft partially submerged, its tail section torn away and visible damage below the cockpit.
The plane’s emergency slide had deployed, and rescue workers could be seen surrounding the wreckage as cranes and tugboats worked to secure the fuselage.
Initial reports from the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) confirmed that the crash occurred just before 4:00 a.m. local time (20:00 GMT Sunday).
Operations chief Steven Yiu said runway conditions were normal and weather was clear at the time of landing.
Aircraft Operated by Turkish Carrier for Emirates
The Boeing 747-400 freighter was leased from and operated by Turkish cargo airline ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates Airlines.
Emirates said in a statement that four crew members were on board and had been taken to hospitals for treatment. None of their injuries were reported as life-threatening.
Investigation Underway Into Cause of Accident
Hong Kong authorities have launched a joint investigation involving local aviation officials, police, and representatives from Boeing and ACT Airlines.
The aircraft reportedly did not issue any emergency signal before leaving the runway, and weather data suggested calm conditions at the time.
Yiu said investigators would focus on the aircraft’s landing approach, braking system, and runway friction levels.
The plane’s black boxes — the flight-data recorder and cockpit-voice recorder — are expected to yield crucial information.
Tony Stanton, an aviation-safety consultant and former pilot, told Al Jazeera that investigators will likely question crew members quickly.
“This was something that happened very suddenly and unexpectedly. The black box data will tell us whether this was a mechanical issue, pilot error, or a sudden systems failure,” Stanton said.
Police Consider Possible Criminal Probe
The Hong Kong Police Force said it has not ruled out opening a criminal investigation, depending on the findings of the preliminary aviation report.
Authorities will examine whether any negligence in airport ground procedures, aircraft maintenance, or communication systems contributed to the crash.
One of the Deadliest Incidents Since 1998
Hong Kong International Airport, built on reclaimed land at Chek Lap Kok, is among the world’s busiest air-cargo hubs, handling millions of tonnes of freight each year.
The crash marks the deadliest incident at the airport since its 1998 opening, underscoring the challenges of maintaining safety at one of Asia’s most critical logistics gateways.
Global Cargo Operations Continue Under Tightened Safety Checks
Following the crash, the Airport Authority temporarily closed the north runway, diverting flights to the south runway to minimize disruption. Cargo operations resumed within hours, though several freighter schedules experienced delays.
Aviation experts say the accident will likely prompt a global review of heavy-cargo landing procedures at coastal airports, where short run-offs and seawater boundaries heighten risk during wet or low-visibility conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Two airport security staff killed after Boeing 747 cargo plane veered off runway into the sea.
- Aircraft operated by ACT Airlines for Emirates SkyCargo.
- Four crew members injured, none critically.
- No emergency signal was sent prior to impact.
- Investigation ongoing, with weather ruled out as a factor so far.
- One of Hong Kong Airport’s deadliest incidents in nearly three decades.
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