Hong Kong: Two airport security personnel lost their lives early Monday when a cargo plane skidded off the runway during landing at Hong Kong International Airport and collided with their patrol vehicle, pushing it into the sea. The Boeing 747 cargo aircraft, operated by Turkey’s ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates, partially submerged in water. All four crew members aboard escaped unharmed.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on the airport’s north runway. Air traffic control recordings show the pilot had confirmed plans to land on runway 07L and reported no technical difficulties prior to the crash. The patrol vehicle had been operating along its regular route outside the runway fence, according to Steven Yiu, executive director of airport operations at the Airport Authority Hong Kong.
Authorities are investigating multiple factors, including weather, runway conditions, and the aircraft’s operational status. “The airplane suddenly veered left after landing before hitting the car, which wasn’t a normal path,” Yiu noted. This incident marks the deadliest airport accident in Hong Kong in over 25 years.
Despite the crash, airport operations have continued largely unaffected. The north runway will reopen after safety inspections, while the south and central runways remain fully operational. Emirates confirmed that the flight, EK9788, carried no cargo and that the crew is safe. Photos from the scene show the aircraft partially submerged, with its nose and tail sections separated and the escape slide deployed.
The Civil Aviation Department has confirmed that the aircraft “deviated from the north runway after landing and ditched into the sea,” while the Air Accident Investigation Authority continues to probe the precise cause. Emergency teams were deployed immediately to rescue the crew and secure the site.
This tragic event highlights the risks associated with cargo flight operations at one of the world’s busiest airports, raising questions about runway safety measures and aircraft handling protocols.