By: The Trek News Desk
In a rare and tragic aviation accident, a cargo aircraft veered off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning. They plunged into the sea, resulting in the death of two ground staff members. The four crew members aboard the aircraft survived.
The incident occurred around 3:50 AM local time, when Emirates flight EK9788, arriving from Dubai, lost control during landing. The aircraft swerved off its designated path and collided with an airport patrol vehicle stationed outside the runway perimeter. The impact was so intense that the car was thrown into the sea, killing both personnel inside.
This marks one of the most serious aviation incidents in Hong Kong since the relocation of its airport to Chek Lap Kok in 1998.
Why Did the Plane Swerve Off Course? Probe Underway
Airport authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to determine how the aircraft deviated so drastically during its landing approach. Officials confirm that all runway signs and guidance systems were functioning normally, and that standard landing instructions were given to the pilots.
Steven Yiu, Executive Director of Airport Operations, stated during a press briefing that the patrol vehicle was operating outside the runway fencing, maintaining a safe distance at the time of the crash.
“The vehicle did not enter the runway. The aircraft should not have turned towards the sea under normal circumstances,” Yiu clarified. Notably, no distress signal was issued by the aircraft before the crash.
Victims Were Experienced Ground Crew Members
The two deceased ground staff were 30 and 41 years old, with 7 and 12 years of experience, respectively. Their loss has been met with deep sorrow by the Hong Kong Transport Bureau, which extended condolences to their grieving families.
Aircraft Breaks in Two; Crew Members Escape Safely
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 747-481 freighter, operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines under a wet lease agreement with Emirates. In such arrangements, the aircraft, crew, and insurance are provided by the leasing company.
Emergency slides were deployed immediately after impact, and all four crew members onboard managed to escape through the exits. Rescue teams arrived within two minutes, quickly evacuating the crew from the damaged aircraft.
Photos from the crash site show the aircraft split into two, with a significant portion submerged in water. Large cracks are visible across the fuselage, though at least one emergency slide functioned successfully.
Black Boxes Missing, Criminal Investigation Not Ruled Out
The Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has begun search operations to recover the aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder (black boxes), which are believed to be underwater.
Meanwhile, local police have indicated that criminal negligence cannot be ruled out, and a parallel investigation may follow depending on the findings.
Runway Closed, Flight Operations Disrupted
The affected runway has been shut down for the remainder of the day, while the airport’s two other runways remain operational. According to the Airport Authority’s website, at least 11 cargo flights scheduled for Monday have been cancelled in the wake of the incident.
Only the Second Fatal Crash Since Airport Relocation
This is only the second fatal aviation accident at Hong Kong International Airport since it moved from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok in July 1998. The previous tragedy occurred in August 1999, when a China Airlines passenger flight crash-landed during a typhoon, claiming three lives.
Source: News Agencies
